Skip to content

Upwork Lifts EBITDA Outlook, Buys WorkMotion

Upwork lifted its full-year profit guidance and announced a Berlin acquisition in the same release, but revenue is still falling and management warned of growth headwinds into 2027.

Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK), the online freelance marketplace, raised its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $236m-$240m yesterday and said its Lifted unit will buy Berlin firm WorkMotion. The release came after the US close, and shares rose in extended trading.

In early trading in New York today, with the session still running, the shares were $9.81, up 0.93% on yesterday’s $9.72 close, according to a delayed quote. They touched $10.20 earlier today.

UPWK.US

Lifted is Upwork’s enterprise arm, which sells software for sourcing, contracting and paying contingent workers. WorkMotion is an employer-of-record firm, meaning it legally employs workers on behalf of clients, and will directly employ talent in more than 30 countries. Upwork says the deal reduces its reliance on third-party providers. Terms were not disclosed in the release. President and CEO Hayden Brown described it as a move to double down on the company’s enterprise strategy.

The profit raise is not a growth story. Third-quarter revenue fell 8% to $185.6m from $201.7m a year earlier, and active clients fell to 717,000 from 794,000. Adjusted EBITDA, operating profit before certain non-cash and one-off costs, rose 7% to $63.8m. Analyst consensus was $52.39m.

The gain came from costs: non-GAAP operating expenses were 45% of revenue, against 50% a year earlier. Q4 EBITDA is guided to $51m-$55m, below the third quarter’s $63.8m.

Line chart of Upwork's daily closing share price from August to early November 2026, with the Q3 results and WorkMotion deal release marked
Upwork daily closing price, 3 August to 2 November 2026, with the Q3 results and WorkMotion deal release marked.

Management is not guiding to a quick recovery. Chief Financial Officer Erica Gessert said on the call:

we expect our total growth rates to continue to be headwind… in the first half of 2027

Erica Gessert, Upwork

She also said Lifted and WorkMotion would dilute 2027 EBITDA margin by about 3 to 4 points. Management said WorkMotion adds about $4m of fourth-quarter revenue and grows about 20% a year before synergies.

Asktraders News Team
Asktraders News Team
Team Member

The AskTraders Analyst Team features experts in technical and fundamental analysis, as well as traders specializing in stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency.

Stay ahead of the markets

Sign up to our free Morning Markets email, every weekday before the open.