Core Viewpoint - Workday's stock has experienced significant declines, with a 25% drop year-to-date, a 41% decrease over the past year, and a 48% fall from its all-time high in early 2024 [1] Group 1 - Workday's shares have been negatively impacted like many software companies [1] - The stock is currently down 25% year-to-date and 41% over the past year [1] - The decline from its all-time high in early 2024 is 48% [1]

Leadership Transition - Workday co-founder Aneel Bhusri is returning as CEO, succeeding Carl Eschenbach, who is stepping down after leading the company through a period of global growth and operational discipline [1][2] - Eschenbach will continue to support the company as a strategic advisor to the CEO [1][2] - The leadership change is effective immediately as the company begins its fiscal year 2027 [2] Company Outlook - Workday expects its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full-year financial results to align with previous guidance, with the exception of its GAAP operating margin [3][4] - The company is scheduled to report its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full-year financial results on February 24, 2026 [4] Company Profile - Workday is an enterprise AI platform that integrates HR and finance, serving over 11,000 organizations globally, including more than 65% of the Fortune 500 [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent sell-off in global software stocks, termed "SaaSpocalypse," triggered by the launch of Anthropic's Claude Cowork, which poses a significant challenge to traditional SaaS business models by offering high-level results at lower costs [5][10]. Group 1: Market Reaction - On February 4, major software companies experienced significant stock declines, with Thomson Reuters dropping 15.8%, LegalZoom nearly 20%, and Salesforce and Workday also seeing notable decreases [5]. - The S&P 500 Software and Services Index fell nearly 13% over five trading days, marking a 26% drop from its October peak [5]. - The sell-off is compared to a previous market panic caused by DeepSeek, highlighting the similarities in market reactions to disruptive AI technologies [7][10]. Group 2: Comparison of Two Market Panics - The panic caused by Cowork is expected to be more prolonged than that of DeepSeek, as Cowork represents a novel AI application, while DeepSeek was a cheaper alternative to existing models [10]. - The market's response to both events shows a pattern of overreaction, with analysts suggesting that the fears may be exaggerated [9][10]. - Cowork's impact has spread beyond the U.S. to global markets, affecting stocks in London, Tokyo, and India, indicating a broader concern within the tech industry [11]. Group 3: SaaS Pricing Models and Challenges - Traditional SaaS pricing models are under pressure, with many companies shifting from fixed pricing to usage-based models due to increased efficiency and cost-cutting measures [14][15]. - The average SaaS company in the PricingSaaS 500 index has experienced 3.6 pricing changes per year, with a significant increase in companies adopting usage-based pricing [15]. - Companies like Salesforce have struggled with pricing strategies, leading to a transition from fixed pricing to more flexible models to accommodate rising operational costs [15][17]. Group 4: Emergence of AI-Native Startups - AI-native startups are gaining traction, with their revenue growth rates significantly outpacing traditional SaaS companies, highlighting a shift in enterprise spending towards these new players [18]. - For instance, companies like Harvey and Glean have achieved valuations of $5 billion and $7.25 billion, respectively, indicating strong investor interest in AI-driven solutions [18]. - The article notes that AI-native companies are expected to capture over half of enterprise AI spending, reflecting a fundamental change in the software landscape [18]. Group 5: Vibe Coding and Its Implications - The rise of Vibe Coding could lead enterprises to create their own tools rather than relying on third-party SaaS products, potentially disrupting traditional software markets [20][21]. - If Vibe Coding matures, it may enable employees to develop solutions quickly, reducing reliance on complex software development processes [21]. - The article suggests that traditional software companies may face a "three-step path to extinction" if they fail to adapt to these emerging trends [22].

Core Insights - The market capitalization of SaaS, data, and software investment companies has evaporated by approximately $300 billion due to the release of an AI product, rather than disappointing earnings or macroeconomic shocks [1] - The IGV software index has dropped about 30% from its peak in late September, with significant declines in stock prices for major companies like Salesforce, ServiceNow, Adobe, and Workday, which fell around 7%, and Intuit, which plummeted nearly 11% [2] - The average expected price-to-earnings ratio for software companies has sharply decreased from about 39 times to approximately 21 times in just a few months [2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The crisis in the SaaS sector has been ongoing for several months, with a recent acceleration in the speed of market reactions [2] - Short sellers have profited over $20 billion by betting against traditional SaaS businesses, indicating a significant loss of confidence in the sector [2] - The core assumption being challenged is the sustainability of traditional SaaS growth models, which have been supported by predictable recurring revenues and high switching costs [3][4] Group 2: AI Impact - AI is fundamentally testing the logic behind traditional SaaS models, as modern AI systems can replace many human workflows across various applications [6] - Investors are increasingly concerned that the growth of many SaaS companies may be rapidly supplanted by lower-cost, AI-driven solutions [8] - The emergence of AI-driven workflows is seen as a significant threat to the high-growth, low-profit SaaS development path, leading to a loss of market trust [7] Group 3: Future Outlook - High-profile figures like Chamath Palihapitiya and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have expressed that the SaaS model is becoming obsolete, predicting a shift towards AI-driven platforms [12][9] - Goldman Sachs predicts that by the end of the decade, AI agents will capture a disproportionate share of profits in the software market, with over 60% of software economic benefits potentially realized through agent systems rather than traditional SaaS services [15][18] - The transition from static applications to adaptive systems is expected to weaken the economic benefits of traditional software, although overall market growth is anticipated [18][19] Group 4: Investment Sentiment - The private equity and credit markets are reacting to the changing landscape, with investors recognizing that continued funding for short-term growth may not yield returns [8][20] - The prevailing investment logic in the software industry, based on predictable revenues and low customer churn, is being recalibrated in light of AI advancements [20] - MongoDB's CEO emphasizes that true platforms, rather than mere products, will endure in the evolving software landscape, highlighting the importance of adaptability and speed in technology transitions [21][26]

Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is one of the most promising future stocks to buy now. Evercore ISI maintained a Buy rating on ​Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) on February 5, setting a price target of $300. In a separate development, ​Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) announced the Military Skills Mapper, a new feature in Workday Recruiting, on February 3, which is specialized to support organizations in identifying and hiring military veterans more effectively. The Military Skills Mapper translates a veteran’s military ...

Core Viewpoint - Workday's stock has underperformed recently, with a return of -24.3% over the past month compared to the S&P 500's -1.5% and the Zacks Internet - Software industry's -11.1% [1] Earnings Estimates Revisions - Workday is expected to post earnings of $2.30 per share for the current quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +19.8% [4] - The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year is $9.07, indicating a year-over-year change of +24.3%, with a slight increase of +0.2% over the last 30 days [4] - For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate is $10.57, representing a +16.5% change from the previous year, with a +0.1% adjustment in the last month [5] - The Zacks Rank for Workday is 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimate revisions [6] Revenue Growth Forecast - The consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $2.52 billion, showing a year-over-year increase of +14.1% [10] - For the current fiscal year, the revenue estimate is $9.54 billion (+13% year-over-year), and for the next fiscal year, it is $10.7 billion (+12.1% year-over-year) [10] Last Reported Results and Surprise History - Workday reported revenues of $2.43 billion in the last quarter, a +12.6% increase year-over-year, with an EPS of $2.32 compared to $1.89 a year ago [11] - The company exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues by +0.7% and for EPS by +8.92% [11] - Workday has consistently beaten consensus EPS and revenue estimates in the last four quarters [12] Valuation - Workday is graded D on the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it is trading at a premium compared to its peers [16] - Valuation multiples such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) are essential for assessing whether the stock is overvalued, fairly valued, or undervalued [14][15] Bottom Line - The Zacks Rank 2 suggests that Workday may outperform the broader market in the near term, despite recent underperformance [17]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant sell-off in the software sector, triggered by the introduction of AI capabilities by Anthropic, which threatens traditional software companies and their business models [4][6][19]. Group 1: Market Reaction - The global capital market has indiscriminately sold off software stocks, with major companies like Salesforce, Workday, and Intuit losing nearly $258 billion in market value in a single day [4]. - The North American software index experienced a 15% decline in January, marking the worst monthly performance since 2008 [4]. - The sell-off has spread to the Asia-Pacific market, leading to sharp declines in the stock prices of several industry leaders [4]. Group 2: AI's Impact on Software - Anthropic's AI application, Claude Cowork, has introduced capabilities that allow it to perform tasks traditionally done by humans, such as managing files and operating software [8][10]. - The release of specific plugins for various industries, including law and finance, indicates a shift where AI is not just a tool but a competitor to traditional software providers [11][13]. - Analysts predict that up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs may be impacted by AI within the next 1 to 5 years, posing a threat to companies that provide software tools for these roles [13]. Group 3: Software Industry Challenges - Software vendors are in a precarious position, needing to demonstrate revenue growth to alleviate concerns about AI's impact [15]. - Major companies are announcing layoffs, indicating a tightening of corporate budgets and a reluctance to invest in traditional software when AI can perform tasks at a lower cost [16]. - The trend of "downgrading" software is emerging, as companies reconsider the necessity of expensive SaaS solutions in light of AI capabilities [16]. Group 4: Future of Software Companies - The software industry is expected to split into two categories: "tool-based" software that will likely be eliminated and "system-based" software that must adapt to survive [24][25]. - Future software companies will need to shift from a per-user pricing model to a results-based pricing model, as AI agents reduce the need for human users [27]. - Gartner predicts that by the end of 2026, 40% of enterprise SaaS will incorporate outcome-based pricing elements, marking a significant shift in the industry [27].

Workday is laying off about 400 employees, citing a need to realign its resources to meet its top priorities. In a securities filing Wednesday, the California-based software provider for payroll, talent management, and expense processing said the cuts represent about 2% of its overall workforce and will primarily affect non-revenue-generating roles within its global customer service team. It said it plans to continue to hire in strategic areas and locations.Workday didn't cite artificial intelligence in it ...

Workday (WDAY) shares ended the last trading session 5.6% higher at $170.15. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 23.4% loss over the past four weeks.The uptrend was largely buoyed by the introduction of the Military Skills Mapper, a new feature in Workday Recruiting designed to help organizations more effectively identify and hire military veterans. The feature helps to translate a veteran's military ba ...

With U.S. stock futures trading mixed this morning on Thursday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:Check out our premarket coverage hereWorkday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) announced it will eliminate 2% in its workforce and expects $135 million in restructuring charges. Workday shares fell 2.4% to $166.00 in the after-hours trading session.Analysts expect Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) to post quarterly earnings at $1.97 per share on revenue of $211.32 billion after the closing bell. ...