AEye, Inc. (LIDR) AI Stock Analysis

NASDAQ: LIDRAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

LIDR AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

AEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIDR) develops software-configurable lidar systems for autonomous driving and industrial automation. The company generated TTM revenue of $450,000 alongside a net loss of -$34.0M in FY2025. With net cash of $70.0M as of June 30, 2026, AEye maintains a liquidity cushion while working toward commercial deployment.

Market cap
$40.1M
Revenue (TTM)
$450,000
P/E
—
1Y return
-70.3%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$4.75
453.4% vs last close

Bull case

  • AEye holds a strong liquidity buffer with $71.5M in cash and short-term investments and a current ratio of 10.83 as of June 30, 2026.
  • Analysts forecast revenue to surge 937.8% in the next fiscal year to $21.6M, up from an estimated $2.1M in FY2026.
  • Quarterly revenue for the period ending June 30, 2026, increased by 818.2% year-over-year.

Bear case

  • The company burned -$27.9M in free cash flow in FY2025 while generating net losses of -$34.0M.
  • Shareholder equity has faced extreme dilution, evidenced by a 787.9% increase in share count over the past five years.
  • LIDR shares have lost 70.3% over the past year and 99.3% over the past five years, closing at $0.86 on October 16, 2026.

What AEye does

AEye, Inc. specializes in providing lidar systems tailored for vehicle autonomy, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and robotic vision applications across global markets including the United States, Europe, and Asia. Its flagship solutions include 4Sight A, a software-configurable lidar designed for automotive safety with options such as Design, Triggered, or Responsive 4Sight. The company also offers 4Sight M, which serves mobility and industrial automation with Design, Triggered, Responsive, and Predictive software levels. Founded in 2013 as US LADAR, Inc., the Dublin, California-based company rebranded to AEye in March 2016 and employs 56 people.

Growth and profitability

AEye generated $450,000 in trailing twelve-month revenue, with quarterly revenue rising 818.2% year-over-year for the period ended June 30, 2026. Annual revenue has fluctuated sharply, moving from $3.0M in FY2021 and $3.6M in FY2022 down to $1.5M in FY2023 and $202,000 in FY2024, before rebounding 15.3% to $233,000 in FY2025. Between FY2020 and FY2025, revenue contracted at a five-year CAGR of -31.8%. Profitability remains deep in negative territory, with FY2025 gross margin at -137.8%, operating margin at -13618.5%, and net income of -$34.0M, or -$1.26 per share. R&D spending was $13.9M in FY2025, while TTM operating margin was -5324.3%.

LIDR income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, AEye held $71.5M in cash and short-term investments against $1.5M in total debt, providing net cash of $70.0M. Total assets stood at $76.6M and shareholders' equity was $68.3M, supported by a current ratio of 10.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. In FY2025, cash burn remained significant, with operating cash flow at -$27.8M and free cash flow at -$27.9M, alongside capital expenditures of $109,000. Cash was partly supported by $337,000 in share issuance, contributing to a 787.9% increase in share count over five years.

LIDR balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

AEye trades at an enterprise value of -$14.9M and a market capitalization of $40.1M. The stock is valued at a price-to-sales ratio of 89.0x, well above the 2.8x median of its US-listed Technology peers. Its price-to-book ratio is 0.8x and EV-to-revenue is 1.1x. The stock has significantly lagged broader markets, falling 70.3% over the past year compared to a 16.8% gain for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over five years, LIDR has declined 99.3%, while the S&P 500 advanced 83.0%. At $0.86 on October 16, 2026, the stock trades 45.9% below its 200-day average.

LIDR key metrics →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 2 Strong Buy ratings and no Buy, Hold, or Sell ratings. The mean price target is $4.75, representing an implied upside of 453.4% from the last close of $0.86. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $2.1M and an EPS of -$0.67. For the following fiscal year, 2 analysts expect revenue to expand 937.8% to $21.6M with an EPS of -$0.64. AEye has beaten EPS estimates in 2 of the past 4 quarters, with next earnings scheduled for November 5, 2026.

LIDR forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • AEye's ongoing cash burn of -$27.9M in free cash flow in FY2025 poses a risk to its $71.5M cash position without future revenue acceleration.
  • Revenue fell at a -31.8% five-year CAGR from FY2020 to FY2025, leaving trailing twelve-month revenue at only $450,000.
  • The stock carries elevated market risk with a beta of 2.71 and trades 45.9% below its 200-day moving average.
  • A price-to-sales multiple of 89.0x is substantially higher than the US-listed Technology peer median of 2.8x.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this LIDR AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of AEye, Inc. (LIDR). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: LIDR income statement, LIDR balance sheet, LIDR key metrics, LIDR analyst forecast, LIDR chart. See the LIDR stock overview for the latest quote and news.

LIDR AI stock analysis FAQ

What products does AEye develop?

AEye develops software-configurable lidar solutions, including the 4Sight A for automotive autonomy and ADAS, and the 4Sight M for mobility, robotic vision, and industrial automation.

What is AEye's current cash and debt position?

As of June 30, 2026, AEye had $71.5M in cash and short-term investments against $1.5M in total debt, giving it net cash of $70.0M and a current ratio of 10.83.

Does AEye pay a dividend?

AEye does not pay a dividend. The company directs its capital toward business operations and technology research, having spent $13.9M on R&D in FY2025.

What are Wall Street analysts expecting for LIDR stock?

Analysts maintain 2 Strong Buy ratings with a mean price target of $4.75, which sits 453.4% above its October 16, 2026 closing price of $0.86. Consensus estimates anticipate revenue will reach $2.1M in FY2026 and $21.6M in the next fiscal year.

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