Why Morgan Stanley Turned Bullish on ServiceNow (NOW) Despite GenAI Risks

Core Viewpoint - ServiceNow, Inc. has been upgraded by Morgan Stanley from Equalweight to Overweight, with a new price target of $1,250.00, reflecting confidence in the company's growth potential despite perceived risks [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - ServiceNow has achieved approximately 20% subscription growth, strong margins, and solid cash flow, while continuing to invest in Generative AI [2]. - The company is well-positioned for future growth due to the adoption of Now Assist, workflow integration, and the introduction of new AI products [3]. Group 2: Market Concerns - Despite its strong performance, ServiceNow's shares have underperformed the broader market due to concerns regarding government spending, tougher comparisons, and long-term risks associated with Generative AI innovation [2]. - Investors are cautious about the potential risks that Generative AI poses to traditional seat-based models and the execution risks related to transitioning to a hybrid pricing model [4]. Group 3: Future Opportunities - ServiceNow is expected to benefit from a product cycle related to Now Assist, with potential consumption-related benefits anticipated to materialize in 2026 and 2027 [4]. - The company is developing a robust workflow data fabric that connects various data sources, creating a unified engagement system across multiple business functions [4]. - A growing suite of AI-related products, such as AI Control Tower, is being introduced, emphasizing ServiceNow's commitment to product innovation and its potential to monetize opportunities in the AI space [4].