C3 AI reported preliminary revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 of $51.6 million, the company said Tuesday. That result represents a 53% decline compared with the same period a year earlier, but it came in at the high end of the company’s guidance range of $48 million to $52 million and slightly exceeded the consensus estimate of $50.4 million.
On an operating basis, the artificial intelligence software provider recorded a non-GAAP operating loss of $54.4 million, equivalent to a negative 105% margin. That loss was smaller than the company had guided to - it was above the top of the guidance by being less negative than the indicated range of $56 million to $64 million - and it also came in better than the consensus estimate of $59.7 million.
Contract activity slowed in the quarter. C3 AI signed 28 agreements during the period, down from 44 in the prior quarter. Among those 28 were 9 new Initial Production Deployments and 7 IDP conversions. The company said bookings missed expectations.
A leadership change took place earlier in the year. Thomas M. Siebel returned to the chief executive role on May 8, replacing Stephen Ehikian, who had been appointed in September 2025. Siebel said he is "energized to be back in the CEO role and to lead C3 AI through this next chapter in this exciting market." He added that his vision, while still impaired, is improving and that the health issues he faced during 2025 are largely resolved. Ehikian will remain at the company as president and will report to Siebel.
Analysts offered a cautious appraisal of the company’s near-term prospects. Morgan Stanley analysts said C3 AI still needs to demonstrate that it can fix sales execution, stabilize revenue, and create a path back to growth and profitability.
The results highlight a mixed picture: revenue and bookings trends remain under pressure while operating losses have narrowed relative to expectations. The company’s leadership shift and its implications for execution will be a focal point as stakeholders assess prospects for revenue stabilization and a return to growth.