Upwork Announces $300 Million Share Repurchase Program
MWN-AI** Summary
On February 18, 2026, Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), a prominent platform for freelance and AI-driven work solutions, announced a substantial new share repurchase program valued at $300 million. This move follows a successful year in 2025, during which the company experienced significant growth in gross services volume (GSV) and achieved record financial results. CEO Hayden Brown emphasized the company’s commitment to returning value to shareholders while focusing on strategic investments in small to medium-sized businesses (SMB), artificial intelligence, and enterprise solutions.
In 2025, Upwork had already utilized $136 million to repurchase over 9 million shares, illustrating its dedication to enhancing long-term shareholder value. The latest repurchase authorization allows flexibility, enabling Upwork to acquire its shares through various methods including open market transactions and private negotiations, subject to securities regulations. Notably, there is no expiration date for this repurchase plan, giving the company discretion over execution based on market conditions and internal strategies.
Upwork connects businesses globally with skilled talent across diverse fields, accommodating freelance, fractional, and payrolled work arrangements. The company has facilitated over $30 billion in transactions to date, positioning itself as a crucial player in transforming workforce dynamics for the era of AI. The upcoming period is critical for Upwork as it aims to accelerate both GSV and revenue growth while reinforcing its market leadership.
As the firm navigates a competitive landscape, its strategy reflects a balance between shareholder returns and continued investment in technology and talent to meet evolving market needs. Investors are encouraged to monitor Upwork’s announcements closely, as they may influence both operational direction and financial health in the foreseeable future.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Upwork Inc.'s announcement of a $300 million share repurchase program is a significant development for investors, highlighting the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value. Following a robust 2025, where Upwork reported growth in gross services volume (GSV) and record financial results, this initiative signals management's confidence in the company's growth trajectory and financial health.
The investment in a share buyback program often underscores a company's belief that its shares are undervalued in the current market. Given Upwork's strategic focus on key areas such as small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise solutions, the share repurchase may reflect an effort to enhance earnings per share (EPS) while optimizing capital allocation. As businesses increasingly turn to AI-powered solutions in a post-pandemic world, Upwork stands to benefit from the growing trend of remote and contingent work.
Investors should view this development as a positive sign, especially since the company has previously engaged in share buybacks, showcasing a consistent approach to returning capital to shareholders. The absence of an expiration date on this authorization gives Upwork flexibility in executing the buyback when conditions are favorable, further adding a layer of strategic depth.
However, prospective investors should closely monitor Upwork's market performance, particularly as it navigates competitive pressures and evolving industry dynamics. While the share repurchase aligns with positive company fundamentals, external factors such as changes in the labor market, economic conditions, and advancements in AI technology could influence growth prospects.
In summary, investors might consider taking a closer look at Upwork's stock, particularly in light of this confident repurchase initiative, while remaining vigilant regarding market conditions and competitive trends that could impact future performance.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, today announced that its board of directors approved a new $300 million share repurchase program.
“2025 was a pivotal year for Upwork, as we returned to GSV growth and delivered record financial results,” said Hayden Brown, president and CEO, Upwork. “Our performance and strong balance sheet position us to return value to shareholders while continuing to invest in the key growth levers already delivering value for our business: SMB, AI, and Enterprise. We enter 2026 with a clear plan to accelerate GSV and revenue growth and further our leadership in offering the highly skilled talent and AI-powered work solutions every business needs as they adapt for the AI era.”
This additional share repurchase authorization follows the company’s 2025 deployment of $136 million in cash to repurchase more than 9 million shares as part of its ongoing commitment to driving long-term shareholder value.
Repurchases of Upwork’s common stock under the repurchase authorization may be made from time to time on the open market (including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an accelerated share repurchase program, or by other methods, at Upwork’s discretion, and in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date and will continue until otherwise suspended, terminated, or modified at any time for any reason. The repurchase authorization does not obligate Upwork to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares, and the timing and amount of any repurchases will depend on market and business conditions and other considerations.
About Upwork
Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.
Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.
Investor Relations Contact:
Gary J. Fuges, CFA
Vice President of Investor Relations
[email protected]
Media Contact:
Janine Kamwene
Vice President of Communications
[email protected]
Safe Harbor:
This press release of Upwork Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including any statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, information or predictions concerning the future of our business or strategy, future market opportunity and market size, anticipated events and trends, potential growth or growth prospects, competitive position, technological and market trends, industry environment, the economy, our plans with respect to share repurchases, the expected impact and timing of strategic initiatives, and other future conditions.
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections as of the date hereof about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short- and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. As such, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, known and unknown risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and in many cases outside our control, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. We make no representation that the plans, intentions, expectations, or results disclosed in these forward-looking statements will be achieved or that future events and circumstances will occur, and actual results or events may differ materially and adversely from our expectations. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, conform these statements to actual results, or make changes in our expectations, except as required by law. Additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations is included under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2026, and in our other SEC filings, which are available on our Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
FAQ**
How does Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK) plan to utilize the new $300 million share repurchase program to enhance shareholder value while balancing investments in SMB, AI, and Enterprise growth?
In what ways did Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK) achieve GSV growth and record financial results in 20that justify the new repurchase program announced on February 18, 2026?
Given Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK)'s focus on AI-powered solutions, how does the company plan to maintain its competitive advantage in the evolving marketplace of contingent work?
How does Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK) intend to ensure the success of their long-term growth strategy while executing share repurchases amid fluctuating market conditions, as highlighted in their latest announcement?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK).
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