In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, two companies stand out for their innovative approaches: Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI). Both operate within the technology sector, focusing on artificial intelligence and data analytics, but they cater to different market needs. While Palantir specializes in software solutions for intelligence and operational efficiency, BigBear.ai emphasizes decision support through machine learning. As an investor, understanding the nuances of these companies could reveal which one offers the most compelling opportunity for your portfolio.
Table of contents
Company Overview
Palantir Technologies Inc. Overview
Palantir Technologies Inc. (ticker: PLTR) is a leader in data analytics and software platforms, primarily serving the intelligence community. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Palantir’s mission is to assist organizations in making sense of complex datasets, thereby enhancing decision-making capabilities. The company offers platforms like Palantir Gotham, which aids in counterterrorism operations, and Palantir Foundry, designed for organizational data integration and analysis. With a robust market capitalization of approximately $386B, Palantir has positioned itself as a critical player in the technology sector, focusing on software infrastructure.
BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. Overview
BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (ticker: BBAI) specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning, offering decision support services across various industries. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, this company operates through two segments: Cyber & Engineering and Analytics. BigBear’s mission revolves around empowering organizations with real-time data interpretation and decision-making capabilities, utilizing advanced predictive and prescriptive analytics. With a market capitalization of around $2.35B, BigBear.ai is carving out its niche within the information technology services sector.
Key similarities and differences
Both companies operate within the technology sector, focusing on data analytics and decision support systems. However, Palantir primarily targets government and intelligence sectors with its specialized software, while BigBear.ai serves a broader array of industries through its dual-segment approach. Additionally, Palantir’s emphasis on large-scale data integration contrasts with BigBear’s focus on AI-driven real-time analytics solutions.
Income Statement Comparison
The following table compares the most recent income statements of Palantir Technologies Inc. and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. to help investors evaluate their financial performance.
| Metric | Palantir Technologies Inc. | BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | 386B | 2.35B |
| Revenue | 2.87B | 158M |
| EBITDA | 342M | -258M |
| EBIT | 310M | -270M |
| Net Income | 462M | -296M |
| EPS | 0.21 | -1.27 |
| Fiscal Year | 2024 | 2024 |
Interpretation of Income Statement
Over the past year, Palantir has shown a significant increase in revenue, rising from 2.22B to 2.87B, while its net income improved substantially from 210M to 462M, indicating strong operational efficiency. In contrast, BigBear.ai’s performance remains concerning, as it continues to report net losses and negative EBITDA, reflecting challenges in scaling its business model and managing expenses. The widening losses suggest that while revenue growth is present, it is not sufficient to cover increasing costs, posing risks for potential investors.
Financial Ratios Comparison
In this section, I present a comparative analysis of key financial metrics for Company A (Palantir Technologies Inc.) and Company B (BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc.). The following table summarizes the most recent revenue and financial ratios.
| Metric | Palantir (PLTR) | BigBear.ai (BBAI) |
|---|---|---|
| ROE | 9.24% | 69.22% |
| ROIC | 5.47% | -32.02% |
| P/E | 368.20 | -4.04 |
| P/B | 34.01 | -279.90 |
| Current Ratio | 5.96 | 0.46 |
| Quick Ratio | 5.96 | 0.46 |
| D/E | 0.05 | -39.42 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 3.77% | 42.59% |
| Interest Coverage | 0.00 | -1.78 |
| Asset Turnover | 0.45 | 0.46 |
| Fixed Asset Turnover | 11.92 | 14.61 |
| Payout Ratio | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0% | 0% |
Interpretation of Financial Ratios
Palantir exhibits strong liquidity with healthy current and quick ratios, indicating robust financial stability. However, its P/E ratio suggests an overvaluation relative to earnings. In contrast, BigBear.ai shows a concerning debt profile, reflected in its negative ratios, indicating significant financial risk. The high return on equity for BigBear.ai is impressive but overshadowed by its overall negative performance metrics. Investors should proceed with caution when considering these stocks for their portfolios.
Dividend and Shareholder Returns
Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) does not pay dividends, reflecting a reinvestment strategy aimed at growth during a high growth phase. Instead, it focuses on share buybacks, which can enhance shareholder value by reducing share dilution. On the other hand, BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) also does not distribute dividends, driven by negative net income and a need for capital to fund operations and growth initiatives. Both companies prioritize long-term value creation over immediate returns, but the sustainability of their approaches warrants careful monitoring.
Strategic Positioning
In the competitive landscape of the technology sector, Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) holds a commanding market share with a market capitalization of $386B, primarily driven by its advanced data integration solutions. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI), with a market cap of $2.35B, faces significant competitive pressure as it operates in the burgeoning field of AI and machine learning. Both companies must navigate technological disruptions and evolving consumer demands to maintain their market positions.
Stock Comparison
Over the past year, we have observed significant price movements and trading dynamics for Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI), with both stocks reflecting unique trends influenced by market conditions and investor sentiment.
Trend Analysis
For Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), the overall percentage change over the past year is an impressive +954.13%. This indicates a strong bullish trend, despite a recent decline of -1.74% from September 14, 2025, to November 30, 2025. The highest price during this period was 200.47, while the lowest was 15.98, suggesting high volatility with a standard deviation of 57.4. The acceleration status is noted as deceleration, indicating a potential slowing in the upward momentum.
In contrast, BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) has experienced a +226.8% price change over the last year, also reflecting a bullish trend. Recently, from September 14, 2025, to November 30, 2025, BBAI enjoyed a notable increase of +25.3%. The stock registered a high of 9.02 and a low of 1.21, with a lower volatility indicated by a standard deviation of 2.13. Similar to PLTR, BBAI’s acceleration status is deceleration, suggesting a tapering of its rapid ascent.
In summary, both stocks show bullish overall trends, but caution is warranted given the recent deceleration in their trajectories.
Analyst Opinions
Recent analyst recommendations for Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) suggest a “Buy” rating, with analysts highlighting strong return on assets and equity scores indicating solid operational efficiency. Analysts are optimistic about its growth potential in the data analytics sector. Conversely, BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) has garnered a “Sell” rating, with concerns surrounding its poor financial metrics and overall score. The consensus for PLTR is a “Buy,” while BBAI is leaning towards “Sell.”
Stock Grades
In reviewing the latest stock ratings for Palantir Technologies Inc. and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc., we can see how analysts are advising investors on these companies.
Palantir Technologies Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper Sandler | maintain | Overweight | 2025-11-04 |
| DA Davidson | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| Morgan Stanley | maintain | Equal Weight | 2025-11-04 |
| Goldman Sachs | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| RBC Capital | maintain | Underperform | 2025-11-04 |
| B of A Securities | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-04 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| UBS | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| Baird | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
| Mizuho | maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-04 |
BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2025-11-11 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2025-08-12 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2025-07-01 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | maintain | Overweight | 2025-03-07 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2025-03-07 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2024-12-30 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2024-11-06 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2024-10-15 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | maintain | Overweight | 2024-08-21 |
| HC Wainwright & Co. | maintain | Buy | 2024-08-02 |
Overall, both companies exhibit a trend of maintaining their respective grades, with Palantir seeing a mix of neutral and overweight ratings, while BigBear.ai has consistently received buy recommendations from analysts. This suggests a more favorable outlook for BigBear.ai in the short term compared to Palantir.
Target Prices
The consensus target prices for the companies under consideration are as follows:
| Company | Target High | Target Low | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palantir Technologies Inc. | 215 | 160 | 196.09 |
| BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. | 7 | 7 | 7 |
For Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), the consensus target price of 196.09 suggests significant upside potential compared to the current price of 168.91. In contrast, BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) has a target consensus that aligns with its current trading price of 6.35, indicating limited expected growth.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The following table outlines the strengths and weaknesses of Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI):
| Criterion | Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) | BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Diversification | High product range in data analytics and AI | Focused on AI and analytics with limited diversification |
| Profitability | Net profit margin: 16.13% | Negative net profit margin: -162.48% |
| Innovation | Strong emphasis on R&D | Emerging but less established in AI solutions |
| Global presence | Established presence in multiple countries | Primarily US-focused with potential for growth |
| Market Share | Significant share in government contracts | Smaller market presence, growing in niche areas |
| Debt level | Low debt-to-equity ratio: 0.05 | High debt-to-equity ratio: -39.42 |
In summary, Palantir Technologies shows solid profitability and a strong global presence, making it a favorable investment. In contrast, BigBear.ai is struggling with profitability and high debt levels, presenting higher risks for investors.
Risk Analysis
In this section, I present a comparative analysis of the risks associated with two technology companies, Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI).
| Metric | Palantir Technologies Inc. | BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market Risk | High | Very High |
| Regulatory Risk | Moderate | High |
| Operational Risk | Moderate | High |
| Environmental Risk | Low | Moderate |
| Geopolitical Risk | Moderate | High |
Both companies face significant market and operational risks, particularly in the context of a volatile tech landscape. Notably, BBAI’s recent struggles with profitability and high debt levels heighten its risk profile.
Which one to choose?
When comparing Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI), the fundamentals suggest a clearer path for PLTR. With a market cap of approximately 170B and a solid gross profit margin of 80%, PLTR shows strong financial health, reflected in its B rating from analysts. The current ratio of 5.96 also indicates robust liquidity. In contrast, BBAI’s financials reveal challenges, including a negative net income and a lower overall performance score of C-. Despite a notable recent price increase of 25.3%, its market cap of only 1B and high debt levels raise concerns.
Investors focused on growth may prefer PLTR for its stability and higher analyst rating, while those with a higher risk appetite might consider BBAI for potential upside, albeit with significant risks.
Disclaimer: This article is not financial advice. Each investor is responsible for their own investment decisions.
Go further
I encourage you to read the complete analyses of Palantir Technologies Inc. and BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. to enhance your investment decisions:
