Stock Markets May 5, 2026 04:15 PM

Strategy Inc posts deeper-than-expected Q1 loss as bitcoin markdowns swell

Unrealized digital-asset losses drive a multibillion-dollar operating deficit even as bitcoin holdings and preferred equity offerings expand

By Caleb Monroe MSTR STRC

Strategy Inc (NASDAQ:MSTR) reported a first-quarter loss of -$38.25 per share, far below analyst expectations, after recording substantial unrealized losses on its bitcoin position. Revenue rose year over year but narrowly missed estimates. The company increased its bitcoin holdings and continued to raise capital through preferred equity while reporting a significantly widened operating loss driven largely by a non-cash markdown on digital assets.

Strategy Inc posts deeper-than-expected Q1 loss as bitcoin markdowns swell
MSTR STRC

Key Points

  • Strategy reported a first-quarter loss of -$38.25 per share, missing the analyst estimate of -$18.98.
  • Revenue rose 11.9% year over year to $124.3 million but was slightly below the consensus estimate of $125.07 million.
  • Unrealized losses on digital assets - primarily a $14.46 billion markdown - drove the operating loss to $14.47 billion.
  • The company increased bitcoin holdings to 818,334 as of May 3, a 22% year-to-date rise, with a reported market value of $64.14 billion and an average cost of about $75,537 per bitcoin.

Strategy Inc (NASDAQ:MSTR) said it lost -$38.25 per share in the first quarter, a result that missed the analyst consensus of -$18.98 per share. The deficit was driven primarily by unrealized losses tied to the company's bitcoin holdings.

Revenue for the quarter totaled $124.3 million, up from $111.1 million in the same quarter a year earlier, representing an 11.9% increase. That top-line figure, however, came in just below the consensus estimate of $125.07 million.


Operating performance and digital-asset write-downs

The company's operating loss for the quarter widened to $14.47 billion, compared with an operating loss of $5.92 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Strategy attributed the bulk of that change to a $14.46 billion unrealized loss on its digital assets, a non-cash item that sharply expanded the reported operating deficit.

Despite the accounting losses, Strategy said it has continued to accumulate bitcoin. As of May 3, the company held 818,334 bitcoins, an amount the company reported represents 22% growth year to date. Strategy also reported achieving a 9.4% BTC Yield for the period.

The market value of the bitcoin holdings was $64.14 billion as of May 3, with an average cost per bitcoin of approximately $75,537, according to the figures provided.


Capital-raising, preferred equity and dividends

Strategy has been active in raising capital across multiple securities. The company reported total capital raised of $11.68 billion year to date through various offerings. Its STRC preferred stock raised $5.58 billion year to date, which the company characterized as 189% growth. Strategy also said it has paid $692.5 million in cumulative dividends across 23 consecutive distributions on its preferred equity products.


Profitability margins and liquidity position

On a gross-profit basis, the quarter produced $83.4 million and a 67.1% gross margin, compared with $77.1 million and a 69.4% gross margin in the year-earlier quarter. The company reported $2.21 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, down from $2.30 billion at year-end 2025.


Market reaction and executive comment

Shares fell roughly 1% after the results were released, reflecting investor concern over the larger-than-expected loss. Commenting on adoption trends, Phong Le, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Adoption of Bitcoin continues to grow in 2026. Digital Credit, highlighted by STRC, has been a big success."


What the results show

Strategy's first-quarter results illustrate a contrast between operational revenue growth and valuation-driven accounting swings tied to its bitcoin holdings. The company expanded its bitcoin position and continued to access capital markets through preferred-equity and other securities offerings, even as non-cash markdowns produced a substantially larger reported operating loss for the quarter.

Risks

  • Volatility in the valuation of bitcoin can produce large unrealized losses that substantially affect reported operating results - this risk primarily affects the cryptocurrency and public equity sectors.
  • Narrow revenue beats or misses relative to consensus may increase share-price sensitivity given the company's exposure to large non-cash swings - this risk impacts equity investors and capital-markets participants.
  • A decline in cash and cash equivalents combined with ongoing capital needs could pressure the company’s liquidity strategy if market conditions change - this uncertainty affects financial services and investor markets.

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