Business · Companies · 2 days ago
OpenAI’s annualized revenue was about $50 billion, below market estimates
OpenAI’s annualized revenue was about $50 billion last month, according to investor financial records cited in the coverage.
That is about $20 billion below the $70 billion figure that had circulated in the market.
The difference comes from how revenue is counted when outside companies help sell services: OpenAI counts only the amount it receives, while its competitor Anthropic includes some intermediary sales.
Investors added those intermediary amounts to OpenAI’s figures and then applied a growth estimate, producing the higher number.
The lower figure has revived concerns that the AI industry may struggle to earn back its large investments.
After the news, Nvidia, Oracle and the Nasdaq index fell.
The revenue figure rose from about $30 billion in July to about $50 billion last month, so it does not by itself show that OpenAI’s profitability has worsened.
OpenAI’s annualised revenue was about $50 billion at the end of September, below the $70 billion figure previously reported, according to the Financial Times.
The lower figure reflects different ways of counting revenue from sales involving intermediaries, rather than evidence that OpenAI’s revenue fell.
The discrepancy has revived concerns that investment and valuations across the artificial intelligence sector may be running ahead of returns.
OpenAI’s annualised revenue rose from about $30 billion in July to about $50 billion late last month, according to investor financial documents cited by the Financial Times.
OpenAI declined to comment, according to Donga Ilbo.
- Who
- OpenAI, the US artificial intelligence company.
- What
- Its annualised revenue was estimated at about $50 billion, below a previously reported $70 billion figure.
- When
- The estimate was for the end of September 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Investors reportedly added revenue attributed to intermediaries when comparing OpenAI with Anthropic, although OpenAI counts only amounts it sells directly.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The entire AI supply chain could be affected.
Huge amounts of debt are being raised to fund AI, and if interest rates keep rising, we will reach a point where the bubble bursts.
OpenAI’s annualised revenue was about $30 billion, according to investor financial documents cited by the Financial Times.
Ray Dalio warned that rising interest rates could bring a point when the AI bubble bursts.
OpenAI’s annualised revenue was about $50 billion, according to the Financial Times.
The Financial Times reported the revenue estimate, and shares in Nvidia and Oracle and the Nasdaq index fell.
- Annualised revenue at end of September
- About $50 billion
- Previously reported figure
- $70 billion
- Annualised revenue in July
- About $30 billion
- Nvidia share decline on 8 October
- 2.9%
- Oracle share decline on 8 October
- 5.5%
- Nasdaq index decline on 8 October
- 1.25%
Sources
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