AKAM · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

Research and Development Expense

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES INC · 2026-08-07 · Importance 54 · Surprise 40 · No source text

Second-quarter research and development expense increased 18% year over year to $148.8 million, and first-half expense increased 16% to $290.4 million. First-half payroll and related costs increased to $330.5 million from $297.5 million, while stock-based compensation increased to $102.9 million from $82.1 million. The increases were driven by headcount growth for strategic security and cloud infrastructure initiatives, annual merit increases, a new retirement benefit and performance-based compensation, with additional spending expected for employees from recent acquisitions.

Key facts

• Three months ended June 30, 2026 Research and development total expense: $148,821 (in thousands) source
• Six months ended June 30, 2026 Research and development total expense: $290,397 (in thousands) source
• Six months ended June 30, 2025 Research and development total expense: $249,387 (in thousands) source
• Three months ended June 30, 2026 R&D payroll and related costs: $165,476 (in thousands) source
• Three months ended June 30, 2025 Research and development total expense: $125,838 (in thousands) source
• Three months ended June 30, 2026 R&D stock-based compensation: $53,997 (in thousands) source
• Three months ended June 30, 2026 Capitalized salaries and related costs in R&D: $(78,585) (in thousands) source
• Six months ended June 30, 2026 Capitalized stock-based compensation: $69.0 million source

Impact estimates