Software Stocks Face Market Turmoil
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 22 hours ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- IBM Earnings Reaction: IBM's adjusted earnings per share exceeded Wall Street expectations by $0.10, and revenue was $300 million higher than anticipated; however, the reaffirmation of its 2026 guidance disappointed investors, resulting in a nearly 9% drop in stock price.
- ServiceNow Performance Overview: Although ServiceNow's earnings and revenue were roughly in line with consensus estimates, delays in deals in the Middle East led management to adopt a more conservative outlook for 2026 subscription revenue, causing the stock to plummet nearly 18%.
- Sector-Wide Impact: The declines in IBM and ServiceNow's stock prices negatively affected the broader software sector, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF falling over 7%, indicating a waning investor confidence in software stocks.
- AI Impact Assessment: Despite the rise of AI potentially eroding profit margins and pricing power for software companies, both IBM and ServiceNow's core businesses showed no significant adverse effects, leading analysts to believe that this does not alter the long-term outlook for these firms.
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Analyst Views on NOW
Wall Street analysts forecast NOW stock price to rise
32 Analyst Rating
30 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 84.780
Low
172.00
Averages
222.81
High
263.00
Current: 84.780
Low
172.00
Averages
222.81
High
263.00
About NOW
ServiceNow, Inc. provides an artificial intelligence (AI) platform for business transformation. The Company’s AI platform connects people, processes, data, and devices to increase productivity and maximize business outcomes. Its intelligent platform, the Now Platform, is a cloud-based solution that helps enterprises and organizations across public and private sectors digitize workflows. The workflow applications built on the Now Platform are organized into four primary areas: Technology, CRM and Industry, Core Business and Creator. Its products include IT Service Management, IT Operations Management, HR Service Delivery, ServiceNow AI Agents, AI Experience, Build Agent, ServiceNow AI Control Tower, AI Agent Fabric, RaptorDB, Workflow Data Fabric, Workplace Service Delivery, ServiceNow Platform Encryption, Telecommunications Service Operations Management, and others. The Company also offers identity security, helping organizations secure access across the enterprise.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
ServiceNow Reports 22% Subscription Revenue Growth in Q1
- Significant Revenue Growth: ServiceNow's Q1 subscription revenue rose 22% year-over-year to $3.67 billion, with total revenue also increasing by 22% to $3.77 billion, reflecting strong demand in the enterprise workflow software market.
- Increased Contract Obligations: The company's current remaining performance obligations (cRPO) grew by 22.5% to $12.64 billion, indicating optimistic revenue expectations for the next 12 months, despite ongoing market concerns about AI disruption.
- Innovative Pricing Model: CEO Bill McDermott highlighted that 50% of new business now comes from a non-seat-based pricing model, combining foundational seat licenses with usage-based scalability, which enhances customer flexibility in AI adoption and strengthens market competitiveness.
- Cautious Market Outlook: Although the company raised its full-year subscription revenue guidance to $15.735 billion to $15.775 billion, the impact of the Armis acquisition is expected to pressure profitability, potentially leading to declines in gross margin and free cash flow in the coming quarters.
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Midday Market Moves: Notable Stock Fluctuations
- Comcast Downgrade: Comcast's stock fell nearly 8% after Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating from Buy to Hold, with analysts indicating that while there is visibility into sustainable revenue and EBITDA growth, they do not expect multiple expansion, highlighting challenges in a stable but non-growing business environment.
- HCA Healthcare Decline: HCA Healthcare's stock dropped over 7% due to a milder flu season resulting in fewer patient admissions, and although the company narrowly beat analyst profit estimates, investors are concerned about declining patient demand as Affordable Care Act subsidies phase out.
- Organon Surge: Organon's stock spiked 22% following a report from The Economic Times that Sun Pharma plans to submit a $13 billion offer for the U.S.-based company, which could significantly enhance Organon's market value and investor confidence.
- Intel Earnings Beat: Intel reported first-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share on revenue of $13.58 billion, both exceeding Wall Street expectations, leading to a stock rally of over 23%, indicating a strong recovery momentum in the semiconductor market that may boost overall industry investment enthusiasm.
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Michael Burry Increases Holdings in Microsoft and Other Software Stocks
- New Investment Positioning: Michael Burry has initiated a new position in Microsoft and other software stocks, believing these software and fintech payment companies are oversold despite broader market downside risks, indicating his confidence in these sectors.
- Increased Holdings: Burry has also increased his stakes in MSCI, PayPal, and Adobe, which have seen declines of approximately 25%, 37%, and 54% from their peaks, respectively, reflecting his optimism towards these depressed assets.
- Growing Market Concerns: Burry has expressed increasing unease about the broader market, noting that despite persistent geopolitical tensions, the market has experienced an unprecedented rally, suggesting a cautious outlook on future market trends.
- Put Options Strategy: He has raised the proportion of put options to 5% of his portfolio, indicating a more conservative investment strategy in light of potential market volatility under the current conditions.
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European Stocks Face Downbeat End Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Concerns
- Market Sentiment: European stocks are poised for a downbeat end to the week amid ongoing concerns about the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, reflecting investor sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Tech Stock Rebound: Despite a negative session for Wall Street, U.S. futures were tentatively higher on Friday, with a rebound in tech stocks boosting the Nasdaq in premarket trading, indicating sustained confidence in the tech sector.
- Investment Strategy Advice: Kenny Polcari of SlateStone Wealth advises clients to remain calm amid market volatility, suggesting they buy the dip and focus on core AI stocks like IBM, Microsoft, and Nvidia for potential future gains.
- Commodity Investment Opportunities: Dominic Schnider from UBS Wealth Management emphasizes that increasing exposure to commodities can significantly reduce volatility, recommending diversified investments in energy, metals, and agriculture to navigate stock market uncertainties.
See More
Tech Stocks Plunge Amid Peace Talks Progress
- Tech Stock Plunge: ServiceNow's stock plummeted over 17%, marking its worst single-day drop ever, as the company acknowledged business pressures from the Middle East conflict, contributing to the Nasdaq's worst performance since March, with investors concerned about AI threats to software firms.
- Oil Price Decline: Crude oil prices fell amid reports of Iranian negotiators heading to Pakistan, boosting market hopes for a resumption of U.S.-Iran peace talks, while an extended ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon also added to traders' optimism.
- Layoff Surge: Microsoft announced voluntary buyouts for about 7% of its U.S. workforce, while Meta plans to cut around 8,000 jobs, and Nike is eliminating 1,400 positions in its second round of layoffs this year, highlighting increasing pressures in the tech sector.
- Drug Price Agreements: Regeneron announced it will lower drug prices through deals with the White House and provide the first hearing-loss gene therapy for free to eligible U.S. patients, joining a growing number of pharmaceutical companies seeking exemptions from steep tariffs in exchange for price reductions.
See More
Tech Stocks Plunge, Market Sentiment Dims
- Tech Stock Plunge: The Nasdaq Composite experienced its worst day since March, driven by a more than 17% drop in ServiceNow's shares, reflecting investor concerns over AI's threat to software companies' business models.
- Oil Price Decline: Crude oil prices fell amid reports of Iranian negotiators heading to Pakistan, boosting investor hopes for the resumption of U.S.-Iran peace talks, which further fueled market optimism.
- Layoff Surge: Microsoft announced voluntary buyouts for about 7% of its U.S. workforce, while Meta and Nike plan to cut 8,000 and 1,400 jobs respectively, highlighting the increasing pressure on the tech sector.
- Drug Price Agreements: Regeneron has reached an agreement with the White House to lower drug prices and provide the first hearing-loss gene therapy for free to eligible U.S. patients, showcasing the pharmaceutical industry's response to Trump's tariff policies.
See More
ServiceNow Reports 22% Subscription Revenue Growth in Q1
- Significant Revenue Growth: ServiceNow's Q1 subscription revenue rose 22% year-over-year to $3.67 billion, with total revenue also increasing by 22% to $3.77 billion, reflecting strong demand in the enterprise workflow software market.
- Increased Contract Obligations: The company's current remaining performance obligations (cRPO) grew by 22.5% to $12.64 billion, indicating optimistic revenue expectations for the next 12 months, despite ongoing market concerns about AI disruption.
- Innovative Pricing Model: CEO Bill McDermott highlighted that 50% of new business now comes from a non-seat-based pricing model, combining foundational seat licenses with usage-based scalability, which enhances customer flexibility in AI adoption and strengthens market competitiveness.
- Cautious Market Outlook: Although the company raised its full-year subscription revenue guidance to $15.735 billion to $15.775 billion, the impact of the Armis acquisition is expected to pressure profitability, potentially leading to declines in gross margin and free cash flow in the coming quarters.
See More
Midday Market Moves: Notable Stock Fluctuations
- Comcast Downgrade: Comcast's stock fell nearly 8% after Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating from Buy to Hold, with analysts indicating that while there is visibility into sustainable revenue and EBITDA growth, they do not expect multiple expansion, highlighting challenges in a stable but non-growing business environment.
- HCA Healthcare Decline: HCA Healthcare's stock dropped over 7% due to a milder flu season resulting in fewer patient admissions, and although the company narrowly beat analyst profit estimates, investors are concerned about declining patient demand as Affordable Care Act subsidies phase out.
- Organon Surge: Organon's stock spiked 22% following a report from The Economic Times that Sun Pharma plans to submit a $13 billion offer for the U.S.-based company, which could significantly enhance Organon's market value and investor confidence.
- Intel Earnings Beat: Intel reported first-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share on revenue of $13.58 billion, both exceeding Wall Street expectations, leading to a stock rally of over 23%, indicating a strong recovery momentum in the semiconductor market that may boost overall industry investment enthusiasm.
See More
Michael Burry Increases Holdings in Microsoft and Other Software Stocks
- New Investment Positioning: Michael Burry has initiated a new position in Microsoft and other software stocks, believing these software and fintech payment companies are oversold despite broader market downside risks, indicating his confidence in these sectors.
- Increased Holdings: Burry has also increased his stakes in MSCI, PayPal, and Adobe, which have seen declines of approximately 25%, 37%, and 54% from their peaks, respectively, reflecting his optimism towards these depressed assets.
- Growing Market Concerns: Burry has expressed increasing unease about the broader market, noting that despite persistent geopolitical tensions, the market has experienced an unprecedented rally, suggesting a cautious outlook on future market trends.
- Put Options Strategy: He has raised the proportion of put options to 5% of his portfolio, indicating a more conservative investment strategy in light of potential market volatility under the current conditions.
See More
European Stocks Face Downbeat End Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Concerns
- Market Sentiment: European stocks are poised for a downbeat end to the week amid ongoing concerns about the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, reflecting investor sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Tech Stock Rebound: Despite a negative session for Wall Street, U.S. futures were tentatively higher on Friday, with a rebound in tech stocks boosting the Nasdaq in premarket trading, indicating sustained confidence in the tech sector.
- Investment Strategy Advice: Kenny Polcari of SlateStone Wealth advises clients to remain calm amid market volatility, suggesting they buy the dip and focus on core AI stocks like IBM, Microsoft, and Nvidia for potential future gains.
- Commodity Investment Opportunities: Dominic Schnider from UBS Wealth Management emphasizes that increasing exposure to commodities can significantly reduce volatility, recommending diversified investments in energy, metals, and agriculture to navigate stock market uncertainties.
See More
Tech Stocks Plunge Amid Peace Talks Progress
- Tech Stock Plunge: ServiceNow's stock plummeted over 17%, marking its worst single-day drop ever, as the company acknowledged business pressures from the Middle East conflict, contributing to the Nasdaq's worst performance since March, with investors concerned about AI threats to software firms.
- Oil Price Decline: Crude oil prices fell amid reports of Iranian negotiators heading to Pakistan, boosting market hopes for a resumption of U.S.-Iran peace talks, while an extended ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon also added to traders' optimism.
- Layoff Surge: Microsoft announced voluntary buyouts for about 7% of its U.S. workforce, while Meta plans to cut around 8,000 jobs, and Nike is eliminating 1,400 positions in its second round of layoffs this year, highlighting increasing pressures in the tech sector.
- Drug Price Agreements: Regeneron announced it will lower drug prices through deals with the White House and provide the first hearing-loss gene therapy for free to eligible U.S. patients, joining a growing number of pharmaceutical companies seeking exemptions from steep tariffs in exchange for price reductions.
See More
Tech Stocks Plunge, Market Sentiment Dims
- Tech Stock Plunge: The Nasdaq Composite experienced its worst day since March, driven by a more than 17% drop in ServiceNow's shares, reflecting investor concerns over AI's threat to software companies' business models.
- Oil Price Decline: Crude oil prices fell amid reports of Iranian negotiators heading to Pakistan, boosting investor hopes for the resumption of U.S.-Iran peace talks, which further fueled market optimism.
- Layoff Surge: Microsoft announced voluntary buyouts for about 7% of its U.S. workforce, while Meta and Nike plan to cut 8,000 and 1,400 jobs respectively, highlighting the increasing pressure on the tech sector.
- Drug Price Agreements: Regeneron has reached an agreement with the White House to lower drug prices and provide the first hearing-loss gene therapy for free to eligible U.S. patients, showcasing the pharmaceutical industry's response to Trump's tariff policies.
See More
