ADBE vs. PEGA: Which Enterprise Software Stock is a Better Buy Now?

Core Insights - Adobe (ADBE) and Pegasystems (PEGA) are key players in the enterprise software sector, focusing on digital transformation through cloud-supported solutions [1] - The digital transformation market is projected to reach approximately $4 trillion by 2027, with a CAGR of 16.2% from 2022 to 2027, indicating significant growth potential for both companies [2] Adobe's Position - Adobe has enhanced its AI offerings with Adobe GenStudio and Firefly Services, facilitating collaboration on marketing campaigns [3] - Tools like Acrobat AI Assistant and Adobe Express are gaining traction among business professionals, with over 700 million monthly active users reported by the end of Q2 fiscal 2025 [5] - Adobe's Digital Media Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) reached $18.09 billion, reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase, and its AI-first products are on track to exceed the $250 million ARR target by the end of fiscal 2025 [6] Pegasystems' Position - Pegasystems is experiencing strong demand for its AI-powered, cloud-based solutions, with the market expected to exceed $150 billion by 2029 [7] - The company's shift to a subscription-based model has driven a 14% year-over-year growth in Annual Contract Value (ACV) in Q2 2025, supported by the adoption of Pega GenAI Blueprint [8] - PEGA's capabilities include using agentic AI to modernize legacy systems, enhancing application development speed [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Adobe's fiscal 2025 earnings is $20.63 per share, indicating a 12% increase from 2024 [11] - The consensus for PEGA's 2025 earnings has risen by 5.3% to $1.98 per share, suggesting a 31.1% growth from fiscal 2024 [12] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Adobe shares have declined by 18.6%, while Pegasystems has seen a larger decline of 21.8% [13] - Both companies are considered overvalued, with Adobe trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 6.11X compared to PEGA's 5.13X [16] Investment Outlook - Adobe's focus on monetizing its AI tools positions it favorably for investors, while PEGA's valuation concerns present risks [19] - Currently, Adobe holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), while Pegasystems has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a stronger investment case for Adobe [19]