Can Enterprise AI Offset Automotive Pressure for SoundHound in 2026?

Core Insights - SoundHound AI, Inc. is facing challenges in its automotive segment while experiencing growth in enterprise AI, raising questions about its ability to balance these dynamics as it enters 2026 [2][6] Automotive Segment - The automotive business is under pressure due to global tariffs and industry softness, leading to volatility in revenues [3][11] - Long development cycles and OEM production schedules contribute to the unpredictability of growth in the automotive sector [3] - The company anticipates improvements in automotive revenues as voice commerce initiatives and next-generation deployments scale, although the timing remains uncertain [4] Enterprise AI Growth - Enterprise AI has emerged as a significant growth driver, with revenues increasing by 68% year-over-year to $42 million in Q3 2025, fueled by demand in financial services, healthcare, insurance, telecom, and retail [5][11] - The subscription-style economics and faster deployment cycles in enterprise AI provide clearer ROI, enhancing revenue durability [5] Competitive Landscape - C3.ai and Cerence are key competitors, with C3.ai focusing on enterprise AI automation and Cerence strengthening its automotive AI presence [7][8] - Both competitors are expanding their capabilities, making the competitive environment more intense for SoundHound [7][8] Financial Performance - SoundHound's shares have declined by 54.1% over the past year, underperforming compared to the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, which saw a 17.2% decline [9][11] - The company's forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio is currently at 18.62, higher than the industry's 15.49 [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SoundHound's 2026 loss per share remains unchanged at 5 cents, indicating a 63.8% improvement year-over-year [16]