AI Competition And Budget Cuts Cloud Adobe's Growth Outlook

Core Viewpoint - Adobe Inc. is experiencing challenges due to tightening marketing budgets and shifting enterprise priorities, which cloud its growth outlook as competition from AI-driven platforms intensifies heading into 2026 [1][2] Group 1: Analyst Downgrade and Market Challenges - Keybanc analyst Jackson Ader downgraded Adobe from Sector Weight to Underweight with a price forecast of $310 [1] - The analyst highlights competition from traditional rivals, emerging AI players, and large language model developers as significant challenges for Adobe [2] - A survey indicates a 16-point net decrease in sales and marketing budgets, with 13% of respondents expecting reduced focus on front-office applications, indicating pressure on Adobe [3] Group 2: Financial Projections and Performance - Despite the downgrade, Adobe's FY1 Revenue projection remains at $25.997 billion with an expected growth rate of 9.4%, while FY2 Revenue is forecast to be $28.377 billion, growing at 9.2% [4] - Adobe reported quarterly earnings of $5.50 per share, exceeding the analyst estimate of $5.39, and quarterly revenue of $6.19 billion, beating the Street estimate of $6.11 billion [5] - The company anticipates fiscal 2026 GAAP EPS of $17.90 to $18.10, compared to the $16.56 analyst estimate [5]