AXON 10-K Analysis: The $1 Billion Stock Comp Cost Behind 33% Growth
Axon Enterprise grew revenue 33.5% to $2.78 billion in FY 2025 while reporting a GAAP operating loss of $62.1 million. The headline SBC figure is $634 million — but the 10-K reveals two additional cost channels totaling $366 million, bringing the total economic cost to approximately $1 billion, or 36% of revenue. When you adjust operating cash flow for financing-classified SBC tax payments, Axon's cash generation flips negative. This analysis unpacks the three-channel SBC model, the $481.7 million working capital paradox behind the $14.4 billion backlog, and what 15.9x EV/Sales actually assumes.