Software Stocks Plummet as AI Advances Threaten Major Players like Intuit and Adobe
- Market Leadership Shaken: Major software companies like Intuit, ServiceNow, GoDaddy, AppLovin, and Adobe have become the worst performers in the S&P 500 this year, reflecting investor concerns that AI advancements may disrupt the enterprise software market.
- Pricing Model Risks: The rise of AI agents threatens traditional 'per-seat' subscription models, potentially undermining predictable revenue streams for software companies and diminishing investor confidence in these stocks.
- Cost Decline Expectations: Analysts predict that as coding costs approach zero, barriers to deploying enterprise software will be lowered, allowing AI to better understand context and driving the adoption of software solutions.
- Investor Sentiment Volatility: Despite the current sell-off in software stocks, analysts believe this trend may be short-lived, as further AI integration and revenue acceleration by software companies could improve market sentiment.
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- Figma's IPO Journey: Figma transitioned from being a standout IPO success in 2025 to experiencing a disappointing performance in the market.
- Upcoming Earnings Report: The company's earnings report, scheduled for release after trading on Wednesday, presents an opportunity to potentially improve its current narrative.
- AI Replacement Trend: Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch stated that over 50% of current enterprise software could be replaced by AI, raising investor concerns about software stocks, particularly as SaaS models face disruption.
- Shift in SaaS Spending: Mensch predicts that more than half of SaaS spending in IT procurement will shift to AI, indicating a qualitative leap in software development speed, which could put traditional software companies under greater pressure.
- Changing Customer Demands: Mistral AI currently has over 100 enterprise customers looking to replatform their IT systems to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, presenting significant market opportunities for the company.
- Expansion into India: Mistral AI plans to open its first office in India and collaborate with local companies, aligning with the Indian government's push for AI localization, which is expected to provide strong growth momentum for the company in the region.
- Market Performance Fluctuates: On Tuesday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.10%, the Dow Jones increased by 0.07%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.13%, indicating a mixed market recovery from early losses, with the Nasdaq 100 hitting a 2.75-month low, reflecting investor caution towards tech stocks.
- Apple Product Launch Boost: Apple shares surged over 3% after announcing a product launch on March 4, with several new devices expected in the coming weeks, which not only boosted Apple's market performance but also generated positive sentiment across the tech sector.
- Airline Stocks Rally: Airline stocks showed strong performance on Tuesday, led by a 6% increase in Southwest Airlines after UBS upgraded its rating from neutral to buy with a price target of $73, which not only enhanced the overall performance of airline stocks but also contributed to a more optimistic market outlook.
- Mixed Economic Data: The U.S. February NAHB housing market index unexpectedly fell to a 5-month low of 36, below the expected 38, while the February Empire manufacturing survey slightly declined to 7.1, indicating uncertainty in economic recovery, as the market remains focused on upcoming corporate earnings and economic news.
Market Reaction to AI Concerns: The "SaaS apocalypse" narrative has led to a significant sell-off in the software and tech sectors, with stocks dropping approximately 22% this year due to fears that AI agents will automate white-collar jobs, reducing the need for human employees and software licenses.
ServiceNow's Strategic Moves: Despite market panic, insiders at ServiceNow are buying shares, indicating confidence in the company's future. CEO Bill McDermott executed a $3 million open-market purchase, and key executives terminated their automated trading plans, suggesting a belief in the company's resilience against AI disruptions.
AI Control Tower Strategy: ServiceNow is positioning itself as a leader in the AI economy by selling governance layers for AI agents, rather than just tools for human workers. This strategy aims to secure a central role in managing the increasing complexity of AI interactions within corporate environments.
Investment Opportunities Amidst Crisis: Analysts suggest that ServiceNow presents a buying opportunity during this market downturn, as the company's fundamentals remain strong, with significant revenue growth and cash flow margins. The stock is currently undervalued, offering potential for substantial upside as market sentiment normalizes.
- Impact of Weight-Loss Drugs: Analysts suggest that the rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could lead to lighter passengers and significant fuel savings for airlines, although this overly optimistic view may inflate investor expectations for airline stocks.
- Food Stocks Market Reaction: Despite significant declines in food stocks due to fears surrounding GLP-1, analysts note that while dividends may be attractive, the lack of growth potential limits rebound opportunities, as seen with Conagra Brands.
- AI Market Influence: Comments from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have sparked widespread discussions about the future of AI, although the justification for the company's $350 billion valuation is questioned, and the impact on companies like Adobe, Workday, and Salesforce may lead to declining valuations.
- Challenges in Data Center Construction: Analysts emphasize that the cost of building data centers must decrease and power supply must be reliable to achieve profitability in the coming years, although they remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet.

- Investment Stake Reduction: Mubadala Investment Company has cut its share stake in Arm Holdings by 8.3%, reducing its ownership to 1.4 million shares.
- Sponsored Ads Impact: The reduction in stake is highlighted in a recent SEC filing, indicating potential implications for sponsored ads and investment strategies.









