Technology
Software - Infrastructure
$14.03B
10K
Akamai Technologies, Inc. provides cloud computing, security, and content delivery services in the United States and internationally. The company offers cloud solutions to keep infrastructure, websites, applications, application programming interfaces, and users safe from various cyberattacks and online threats while enhancing performance. It also provides web and mobile performance solutions to enable dynamic websites and applications; media delivery solutions, including video streaming and video player services, game and software delivery, broadcast operations, authoritative domain name system, resolution, and data and analytics; and cloud computing services, such as compute, storage, networking, database, and container management services to build, deploy, and secure applications and workloads. In addition, the company offers content delivery solutions; and an array of service and support to assist customers with integrating, configuring, optimizing, and managing its offerings. It sells its solutions through various channel partners. Akamai Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Key insights and themes extracted from this filing
For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net income decreased by 26.14% to $226.789 million from $307.106 million in the prior year, while diluted EPS fell by 22.34% to $1.53 from $1.97. This occurred despite a 4.68% increase in total revenue to $2,058.633 million, indicating pressure on profitability.
Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2025, grew by 4.68% to $2,058.633 million. This growth was primarily fueled by Security solutions (up 9% YoY to $1,082.609 million) and Cloud Computing solutions (up 14% YoY to $336.911 million), which offset a 6% decline in Delivery solutions revenue to $639.113 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025, decreased by 9.39% to $710.349 million from $782.841 million in 2024. However, net cash from investing activities shifted from a use of $438.265 million in 2024 to a source of $193.980 million in 2025, primarily due to the non-recurrence of a large acquisition and increased marketable securities maturities/sales not reinvested.
The company's strategy to redeploy resources to support faster-growing segments is evident in Security revenue increasing 9% YoY to $1,082.609 million and Cloud Computing revenue growing 14% YoY to $336.911 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This focus is intended to offset declines in the Delivery segment and drive overall revenue growth.
Capital expenditures (purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal-use software development costs) increased by 24.45% to $419.789 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $337.291 million in 2024. This investment is primarily for building out the compute platform to support future growth and scalability, particularly for cloud computing solutions.
The company incurred $3.464 million in restructuring charges for the six months ended June 30, 2025 (up 80% YoY), primarily for headcount reductions and impairments to internal-use software. This action is part of management's commitment to redeploy resources to support strategic investments in faster-growing security and cloud computing solutions.
Despite increased co-location fees (up 16% YoY) and network depreciation (up 19% YoY) due to compute platform build-out, the cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue remained flat at 41% for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This was achieved through improved pricing on bandwidth contract renewals and migration of third-party cloud services to the company's own platform.
Total stock-based compensation increased by 17.2% to $224.754 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $191.726 million in 2024. This rise is attributed to a shift from cash-based to stock-based 401(k) match program and increased participants in equity compensation, aligning employee incentives with stockholder interests.
Sales and marketing expenses increased by 2% YoY to $280.370 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, partly due to professional service fees for a go-to-market transformation initiative. R&D expenses also increased by 8% to $249.387 million, supporting headcount growth and strategic investments in security and cloud computing solutions.
The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2025, significantly increased to 30.3% from 13.5% in 2024. This was primarily due to a shortfall in tax benefits from stock-based compensation, increased tax reserves, and the revaluation of foreign income tax liabilities, with further potential impacts from the newly enacted 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA).
The filing highlights ongoing global macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, including inflation, international tensions (e.g., Israel-Hamas War), and supply chain disruptions, which impact customer spending, traffic optimization, and the company's ability to operate or grow, potentially affecting revenue and profitability.
The company acknowledges regular attempts to gain unauthorized access and deliver malicious software, with AI potentially heightening sophistication. Integration of acquired technologies, such as Linode, also poses increased cybersecurity risks during the transition period, which, if exploited, could negatively impact the platform and customers.
The 6% YoY decline in Delivery solutions revenue to $639.113 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, is attributed to downward pricing pressure from contract renewals and customers increasing their focus on cost optimization through 'do-it-yourself' solutions, reflecting a highly competitive market.
The company is actively investing and redeploying resources into its Security and Cloud Computing solutions, which saw 9% and 14% YoY revenue growth respectively for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This strategic focus targets areas where the company believes it can differentiate and compete effectively against larger and smaller rivals.
Management emphasizes its 'massively distributed global network' and continuous development of new and existing products as central to financial success. The ability to scale its compute platform and adapt to evolving customer needs, including for AI workloads, is crucial for maintaining its competitive edge.
Despite overall cost of revenue increasing 6% YoY for the six months ended June 30, 2025, bandwidth fees decreased by 24% to $93.470 million. This reduction was achieved through improved pricing on contract renewals with bandwidth providers and operational efficiencies from internal-use software development.
The company successfully decreased third-party cloud costs (included in network build-out and supporting services) for the six months ended June 30, 2025, by migrating these services onto its own compute platform. This initiative contributes to managing overall operational expenses and improving efficiency.
Restructuring charges of $3.464 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, reflect management's commitment to 'improve operational efficiencies and reprioritize investments.' These actions, including headcount reductions, aim to optimize the cost structure and support strategic growth areas like security and cloud computing.
Research and development expenses increased by 8% YoY to $249.387 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, primarily due to headcount growth supporting strategic initiatives. These investments are directed towards developing new security solutions and expanding cloud computing capabilities, including the compute platform and EdgeWorkers product.
The company capitalized $156.477 million in internal-use software development costs for the six months ended June 30, 2025, an increase from $152.546 million in 2024. This reflects continuous investment in software to improve network performance, efficiency, and to support the delivery of services and operation of its network.
The company is investing in integrating AI and machine learning into products and operations, recognizing its potential. However, the filing also highlights risks such as the rapid evolution of AI, uncertain regulatory landscape, potential IP risks from open-source code, and challenges in ensuring data accuracy and privacy, which could impact reputation and financial results.
For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the company repurchased 10.0 million shares of common stock for an aggregate of $800.0 million, a significant increase from $253.258 million in 2024. This program aims to offset dilution from employee equity compensation and return capital to shareholders, with $1.2 billion remaining authorized.
In May 2025, Akamai issued $1,725.0 million in new convertible senior notes due 2033. A portion of the proceeds was used to repay $1,150.0 million of convertible senior notes that matured in May 2025, and another portion for share repurchases and revolving credit facility repayment, indicating active debt management and capital structuring.
Capital expenditures (property and equipment purchases and capitalized internal-use software development costs) rose by 24.45% to $419.789 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This allocation reflects a strategic investment priority in expanding the company's compute platform to support the growth of its cloud computing solutions.
The company acknowledges that governments may adopt new regulations affecting fossil fuels and requiring alternative fuel sources due to global climate change. It states, 'While we have invested in projects to support renewable energy development,' indicating ongoing efforts to address environmental commitments.
The redesign of non-executive short-term incentive compensation programs, shifting from cash-based to stock-based, and the increased employer 401(k) match program effective in 2025, are designed to 'better align employee incentives with the interests of our stockholders,' reflecting a governance practice.
The company emphasizes its efforts to protect personal data and maintain robust security controls. It notes that 'improper disclosure or misuse of personal data could harm our reputation' and lead to legal exposure, highlighting the importance of social responsibility and compliance in its operations.
Management explicitly states that 'Global macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions continue to impact our customers' leading to increased focus on cost optimization and 'do-it-yourself' solutions, which has reduced traffic on the network and negatively impacted delivery revenue.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates favorably impacted revenue by $8.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, but unfavorably impacted revenue by $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The company notes increased volatility due to geopolitical and economic developments, impacting its ability to accurately predict future results.
The enactment of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA) on July 4, 2025, includes significant provisions affecting international tax frameworks. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this new legislation on its consolidated financial statements, indicating a developing regulatory environment with potential future implications.