Piper Sandler Reiterates Neutral Rating on NICE Ltd (NICE)

Core Viewpoint - NICE Ltd. is recognized as an affordable stock with potential for investment, receiving mixed ratings from analysts, indicating a cautious outlook on its growth prospects in the cloud sector [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings - Piper Sandler maintains a Neutral rating on NICE Ltd. with a price target of $122, while Mizuho Securities has a Buy rating with a price target of $150 [1]. - Piper Sandler expresses skepticism about NICE's ability to meet its Cloud targets for 2028 without significant mergers and acquisitions [2]. Group 2: Growth Drivers - Key growth drivers identified for NICE include expansion, significant M&A activity, and the introduction of new businesses [3]. - The recent acquisition of Cognigy is viewed as a strategic move that positions NICE favorably in the conversational AI market [2]. Group 3: Financial Expectations - NICE Ltd. is expected to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results on February 19, with projected revenues of approximately $779.94 million and GAAP EPS of $2.83 [4]. Group 4: Investor Sentiment - Parnassus Value Equity Fund notes a loss of investor confidence due to concerns over AI disruption, but believes that AI will ultimately transform NICE's business model and drive long-term growth [5].