Tech & Software · Week of Nov 2, 2026
Buybacks and AI data centers mark Q3 earnings: the week in tech
Q3 2026 earnings dominated the week, with several companies expanding buybacks and AI data center spending shaping results at BCE, Hut 8 and AOI.
Third quarter 2026 results made up every release this week. Capital return was a recurring theme: EPAM Systems replaced its repurchase program with one of up to $1.8 billion and plans a $500 million accelerated share repurchase, Hut 8 raised its repurchase authorization to $1.0 billion, and CLEAR added $175.0 million to its buyback while declaring a $0.15 dividend. BCE also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4375 per common share.
AI data center infrastructure appeared across several reports. BCE says higher capital spending on Bell AI Fabric data centres and Ziply Fiber's network reduced free cash flow, Hut 8 signed a second 352 MW lease at Beacon Point, and Applied Optoelectronics reported datacenter revenue of $155.6 million and a multi-year agreement with a Tier 1 hyperscale customer. Elsewhere, Waters raised guidance and acquired MOBILion Systems, Wayfair returned to net income on U.S. growth, and Tucows narrowed its net loss.
BCE Inc.
BCE reports third quarter 2026 results
BCE reported Q3 2026 operating revenues of $6,182 million, up 2.2%, while net earnings fell 84.6% to $701 million, which the company attributes mainly to lower gains on investments after the 2025 sale of its MLSE stake. Capital expenditures rose 49.3% to $1,330 million and free cash flow fell 14.9%, and BCE confirmed its 2026 guidance and declared a $0.4375 quarterly dividend payable January 15, 2027.
Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Waters reported Q3 2026 revenue of $1.767 billion, including $896 million from the acquired Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses, with organic revenue up 9% and adjusted EPS up 21% to $4.10. The company raised full-year 2026 guidance to total reported revenue of $6.479 billion to $6.497 billion and announced it has acquired MOBILion Systems, Inc., a developer of SLIM ion mobility separation technology.
Wayfair Inc.
Wayfair Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results, Reports Double Digit U.S. Revenue Growth
Wayfair reported Q3 2026 net revenue of $3.4 billion, up 9.7%, and net income of $62 million compared with a net loss of $99 million a year earlier. The company says U.S. revenue grew 11.4% against a roughly flat category, while international net revenue fell 2.3% to $380 million and the segment posted negative Adjusted EBITDA of $25 million.
Hut 8 Corp.
Hut 8 Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
Hut 8 reported Q3 2026 revenue of $71.1 million and net income of $189.5 million, including $413.8 million of primarily unrealized gains on digital assets. The company signed a second 352 MW IT lease at Beacon Point that it says represents approximately $9.8 billion in expected base-term contract value, closed a $1.07 billion revolving credit facility and raised its repurchase authorization to $1.0 billion.
CLEAR
CLEAR Announces Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Clear Secure reported Q3 2026 revenue of $292.9 million, up 27.8%, and net income of $75.3 million, with quarterly free cash flow of $(103.8) million that the company says reflects an approximately $315 million settlement of accrued partnership liabilities. It reached 46.7 million total CLEAR Members, raised full-year free cash flow guidance, added $175.0 million to its buyback and declared a $0.15 dividend payable December 24, 2026.
EPAM Systems, Inc.
EPAM Reports Results for Third Quarter 2026
EPAM reported Q3 2026 revenues of $1.426 billion, up 2.3%, and GAAP diluted EPS of $2.53, up 32.5%, and now expects full-year revenue growth of 3.5% to 3.7%. The board approved a repurchase program of up to $1.8 billion through December 31, 2029, and the company says it will return at least 50% of free cash flow to shareholders annually from 2027 through 2029.
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.
Applied Optoelectronics Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
Applied Optoelectronics reported Q3 2026 revenue of $269.9 million, up from $118.6 million a year earlier, and returned to GAAP profitability with net income of $6.3 million; it guided Q4 revenue to $385 million to $420 million. The CEO cited a new multi-year agreement with a Tier 1 hyperscale datacenter customer, while the company said its 2027 US capacity expansion plan will take longer than expected.
Tucows Inc.
Tucows Reports Third Quarter Results In Line with Expectations with Progress on Balance Sheet Obligations
Tucows reported Q3 2026 net revenue of $100.0 million, up 1.4%, and a net loss of $10.3 million, narrowed from $23.0 million a year earlier, with Adjusted EBITDA up 39.8% largely on a non-recurring mobile contract re-rate. Ting revenue rose to $22.3 million while Tucows Domain Services revenue fell to $63.9 million, and cash and restricted cash declined to $41.0 million from $60.2 million at the end of Q2.
This roundup is written with AI assistance from the press releases listed above, using only what they state. The releases are the companies' own announcements, not WebDozen reporting.