- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Revenue
- Valuation
Upturn AI Summary - About
Upwork Inc(UPWK)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for UPWK
10/19/2026: UPWK (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upwork is a leading operator of a global freelance marketplace, connecting businesses with independent professional talent. The company stands out for its enterprise-ready platform, which includes robust compliance and payment tools, attracting corporate clients. Its main growth opportunity lies in leveraging generative AI to improve platform efficiency and capturing the shift toward flexible talent sourcing. Key risks include intense platform competition, potential labor regulation changes, and the impact of AI on certain job categories. Suited for growth investors comfortable with volatility, Upwork's long-term potential depends on its ability to scale enterprise partnerships and maintain its platform network effect while navigating competitive shifts.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | Upwork operates in the expanding gig economy and captures shifts in how global enterprises source professional talent. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | This is a conditional fit depending on positive technical signals and strong quarterly growth execution. |
| Value investor | Weak fit | The company is currently valued based on growth potential rather than deep-value or yield metrics. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Upwork does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | High market volatility and regulatory exposure make this stock unsuitable for conservative, low-risk investors. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | High | The stock is susceptible to significant fluctuations based on growth expectations and tech sector sentiment. |
| Valuation risk | Medium / high | Investors pay a premium based on future growth, which can lead to corrections if growth targets are missed. |
| Competition risk (AI and platform) | Medium / high | AI automation and specialized platforms pose ongoing threats to the demand for human freelancers on the marketplace. |
| Business quality | Medium | While the platform has a strong network effect, it lacks high switching costs found in enterprise software. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | The company does not provide income through dividends, relying entirely on capital appreciation. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Continued success depends on effectively evolving the platform's AI tools and enterprise sales strategy. |
Price Behavior

Steep Decline
The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -13.22% | Avg. Invested days 33 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | Stock Returns Performance |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals 
Financial Health Rating 
Growth Momentum Score 
Ownership 
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue) 
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile 
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.06B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 11.06 | 1Y Target Price 9.88 |
Price to earnings Ratio 11.06 | 1Y Target Price 9.88 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2.5M shares | Beta 1.05 | 52 Weeks Range 7.44 - 22.84 | Updated Date 10/19/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 7.44 - 22.84 | Updated Date 10/19/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.77 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace Revenue | Service fees charged to freelancers and clients for platform usage. | This is the core commission income from transactions on the platform. |
| Managed Services | Fees for sourcing and managing complex enterprise engagements. | These are higher-touch, recurring revenue streams from large corporate clients. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 11.06 | Forward PE 5.49 | Enterprise Value 784.29M | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.35 |
Enterprise Value 784.29M | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.35 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 5.13 | Shares Outstanding 124.90M | Shares Floating 111.12M |
Shares Outstanding 124.90M | Shares Floating 111.12M | ||
Percent Insiders 5.27 | Percent Institutions 104.12 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.

