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U.S. Software Industry Analysis

UpdatedDec 20, 2025
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies427
  • 7D0.8%
  • 3M-9.8%
  • 1Y7.6%
  • YTD11.1%

The Software industry has been flat over the last week, but ServiceNow has lost 10%. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 7.6% in that time. Earnings are forecast to grow by 20% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Software Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sun, 21 Dec 2025US$7.1tUS$645.4bUS$164.7b32.4x42.9x11x
Tue, 18 Nov 2025US$7.4tUS$641.1bUS$159.9b30.8x46x11.5x
Thu, 16 Oct 2025US$7.8tUS$621.4bUS$151.7b34.9x51.2x12.5x
Sat, 13 Sep 2025US$7.7tUS$620.9bUS$151.9b34.9x50.6x12.4x
Mon, 11 Aug 2025US$7.6tUS$614.0bUS$150.0b37.7x50.5x12.3x
Wed, 09 Jul 2025US$7.4tUS$598.9bUS$131.3b43.8x56.2x12.3x
Fri, 06 Jun 2025US$6.8tUS$595.6bUS$131.6b39.5x52x11.5x
Sun, 04 May 2025US$6.4tUS$589.0bUS$131.0b33.5x48.9x10.9x
Tue, 01 Apr 2025US$5.7tUS$582.3bUS$130.7b29.3x43.7x9.8x
Thu, 27 Feb 2025US$6.2tUS$581.2bUS$128.6b35.2x48.1x10.6x
Sat, 25 Jan 2025US$6.7tUS$568.2bUS$129.2b42.3x52.1x11.8x
Mon, 23 Dec 2024US$6.6tUS$569.1bUS$128.8b40.8x51.1x11.6x
Wed, 20 Nov 2024US$6.3tUS$566.7bUS$127.1b41x50x11.2x
Fri, 18 Oct 2024US$6.0tUS$551.7bUS$124.1b39.5x48.7x10.9x
Sun, 15 Sep 2024US$6.0tUS$552.4bUS$124.0b38.8x48.2x10.8x
Tue, 13 Aug 2024US$5.6tUS$548.6bUS$121.5b34.3x46.1x10.2x
Thu, 11 Jul 2024US$6.0tUS$530.5bUS$118.1b40.3x51.1x11.4x
Sat, 08 Jun 2024US$5.2tUS$477.7bUS$107.3b39.9x48.9x11x
Mon, 06 May 2024US$5.2tUS$476.8bUS$103.2b42.3x50.1x10.8x
Wed, 03 Apr 2024US$5.4tUS$466.0bUS$98.3b44x55.1x11.6x
Fri, 01 Mar 2024US$5.4tUS$472.1bUS$98.1b43.9x54.6x11.3x
Sun, 28 Jan 2024US$5.4tUS$486.8bUS$82.4b47.4x66.1x11.2x
Tue, 26 Dec 2023US$5.2tUS$486.1bUS$82.9b44.5x62.4x10.6x
Thu, 23 Nov 2023US$5.0tUS$482.4bUS$79.9b44.9x62.4x10.3x
Sat, 21 Oct 2023US$4.4tUS$477.3bUS$73.7b42x60.3x9.3x
Mon, 18 Sep 2023US$4.6tUS$480.1bUS$73.0b45.2x62.5x9.5x
Wed, 16 Aug 2023US$4.4tUS$473.1bUS$70.2b45.1x63.1x9.4x
Fri, 14 Jul 2023US$4.6tUS$460.7bUS$60.1b49.4x76.8x10x
Sun, 11 Jun 2023US$4.3tUS$460.1bUS$62.1b43.1x69.8x9.4x
Tue, 09 May 2023US$4.0tUS$455.5bUS$60.6b38.1x65.5x8.7x
Thu, 06 Apr 2023US$3.9tUS$453.7bUS$60.6b43.5x64x8.5x
Sat, 04 Mar 2023US$3.6tUS$453.1bUS$59.7b43.6x61.1x8x
Mon, 30 Jan 2023US$3.5tUS$435.5bUS$57.9b42.7x60.2x8x
Wed, 28 Dec 2022US$3.2tUS$434.3bUS$60.3b41.3x53.3x7.4x
Price to Earnings Ratio

53.3x


Total Market Cap: US$3.2tTotal Earnings: US$60.3bTotal Revenue: US$434.3bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Software Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 55.1x202320242025
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are pessimistic on the American Software industry, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates will be lower than they have historically.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 42.9x which is lower than its 3-year average PE of 55.1x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 10.5x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Software industry have grown 40% per year over the last three years.
  • Revenues for these companies have grown 14% per year.
  • This means that more sales are being generated by these companies overall, and subsequently their profits are increasing too.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Tech industry?

US Market-0.062%
Tech0.35%
Software0.78%
Application Software1.22%
Systems Software0.57%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Application Software industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 25.4%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 41.1% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Systems Software industry, which is trading close to its 3-year average of 40.0x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Application Software industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 25% over the next 5 years.
  • However this is lower than its past earnings growth rate of 41% per year.
  • In contrast, the Systems Software industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 17% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
MSFT MicrosoftUS$485.921.5%
+US$54.9b		11.3%PE34.4x
PLTR Palantir TechnologiesUS$193.385.3%
+US$23.4b		140.1%PE420.8x
APP AppLovinUS$721.377.6%
+US$17.1b		111.6%PE83.6x
ORCL OracleUS$191.971.1%
+US$5.7b		13.1%PE35.8x
SNPS SynopsysUS$463.732.4%
+US$2.1b		-5.8%PE66.2x

Latest News

FIG
US$39.48
Figma
7D
9.5%
1Y
n/a
ORCL
US$191.97
Oracle
7D
1.1%
1Y
13.1%
NTNX
US$52.30
Nutanix
7D
9.9%
1Y
-19.6%

NTNX: Future VMware Displacements Will Drive Long-Term Outperformance Despite Near-Term Guidance Reset

Nutanix's consensus analyst price target has been revised lower by roughly $10 to $15 per share, as analysts reduce valuation multiples and near term growth expectations following an in line quarter with softer guidance and the company's first miss in over five years. Analyst Commentary Street research following the quarter reflects a more cautious stance on Nutanix's near term execution, even as many on the sell side remain constructive on the long term growth and market share opportunity.
APP
US$721.37
AppLovin
7D
7.6%
1Y
111.6%

Subdued Growth No Barrier To AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) With Shares Advancing 31%

Dec 19
Subdued Growth No Barrier To AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) With Shares Advancing 31%
PLTR
US$193.38
Palantir Technologies
7D
5.3%
1Y
140.1%
CRM
US$259.91
Salesforce
7D
-0.9%
1Y
-24.4%
MSFT
US$485.92
Microsoft
7D
1.5%
1Y
11.3%

MSFT: Expanded AI Partnerships And Infrastructure Will Drive Durable Cloud Leadership

Analysts have nudged their Microsoft price target slightly higher to approximately $650, reflecting confidence that the company's broadened AI partnerships, resilient Azure growth, and durable margin profile justify modestly stronger long term revenue and earnings assumptions despite rising capex and hyperscaler caution. Analyst Commentary Street research remains broadly constructive on Microsoft, with a cluster of recent notes highlighting the company as a primary beneficiary of accelerating AI adoption, robust cloud demand, and deepened model partnerships, even as a minority of voices urge greater caution around hyperscaler capital intensity and returns.
HUBS
US$389.46
HubSpot
7D
3.6%
1Y
-45.8%

HUBS: AI-Driven Multi-Hub Adoption Will Support Long-Term Upside Despite Sector Headwinds

Analysts have modestly reduced their fair value estimate for HubSpot to approximately $580 from about $585 per share, reflecting a wave of lowered price targets as they balance still-strong double digit growth and AI driven opportunities against softer reacceleration expectations, competitive AI headwinds, and broader software multiple compression. Analyst Commentary Street research reflects a constructive but more measured stance on HubSpot, with many firms trimming price targets while reiterating positive long term views on growth, profitability, and AI optionality.
SNPS
US$463.73
Synopsys
7D
2.4%
1Y
-5.8%
NOW
US$155.31
ServiceNow
7D
-10.2%
1Y
-28.8%
CRWD
US$481.28
CrowdStrike Holdings
7D
-4.7%
1Y
32.8%

CRWD: Elevated Expectations For AI Security May Trigger Future Multiple Compression

Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for CrowdStrike Holdings to approximately $416 from about $363, citing broadly higher Street price targets. These targets are underpinned by expectations for sustained net new annual recurring revenue momentum, improving profitability, and durable double digit long term growth supported by AI driven security demand.
FICO
US$1,748.43
Fair Isaac
7D
-5.2%
1Y
-16.4%

FICO: Rising Mortgage License Ambitions Will Likely Struggle Against Intensifying Score Competition

Analysts have nudged our Fair Isaac fair value estimate higher from $1,364 to about $1,490. This reflects slightly faster expected revenue growth, modestly lower future valuation multiples, and the view that initiatives like FICO 10T and the mortgage direct license program will reinforce the company’s dominant, high margin scoring franchise despite near term guidance uncertainty.
DDOG
US$140.39
Datadog
7D
-3.8%
1Y
-6.1%

DDOG: AI Demand And Potential GitLab Deal Will Drive Shares Higher

Analysts have raised their consolidated price target for Datadog to about $170 from $115, reflecting stronger expected revenue growth and AI driven demand, even as they factor in higher discount rates, lower near term margins, and increased competitive and pricing pressures following Palo Alto Networks' Chronosphere acquisition. Analyst Commentary Bearish analysts acknowledge Datadog's strong execution and AI related tailwinds but are tempering expectations for upside, especially in light of Palo Alto Networks' planned acquisition of Chronosphere and the renewed focus on pricing and competitive intensity in observability.
CDNS
US$314.91
Cadence Design Systems
7D
-2.6%
1Y
4.5%

CDNS: AI And HPC Design Demand Will Drive Shares Higher

Analysts have nudged their price target on Cadence Design Systems higher by $2 to approximately $384 per share, citing sustained strength in advanced chip design activity for artificial intelligence and high performance computing, as well as solid near term growth guidance. Analyst Commentary JPMorgan lifted its price target on Cadence Design Systems to $405 from $390 and reiterated an Overweight rating following a strong Q3 print and guidance for another quarter of solid growth.
PANW
US$186.88
Palo Alto Networks
7D
-2.5%
1Y
0.05%

PANW: AI Platform And M&A Expansion Will Drive Long-Term Share Gains

The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has edged higher by $0 to approximately $225 per share, as analysts balance concerns over decelerating growth and acquisition costs with confidence in the company’s expanding AI driven security platform, strategic M&A, and growing next generation security revenue opportunity. Analyst Commentary Street research on Palo Alto Networks remains divided, with most firms constructive on the company’s long term AI and platform strategy while a minority flag the risk that revenue growth deceleration and rich valuation could cap upside.
MSTR
US$164.82
Strategy
7D
-6.6%
1Y
-54.7%