Core Viewpoint - The stock market is expected to achieve another double-digit percentage gain in 2025, with the S&P 500 index showing a year-to-date gain of 16.81% as of December 5, despite significant declines in several individual stocks [1]. Group 1: Worst-Performing Stocks - Fiserv (FISV) has seen a decline of approximately 70%, attributed to a drastic cut in its full-year revenue forecast and slowing growth in its merchant-services segment [3]. - The Trade Desk (TTD) is down approximately 67%, facing decreased revenues due to competition from major players like Amazon, leading investors to view the stock as overvalued [4]. - Deckers Outdoor (DECK) has dropped around 57%, with slowing growth expectations and pressure on discretionary consumer spending impacting its well-known brands, UGG and Hoka [5]. - Gartner (IT) is down approximately 52%, with its valuation at $17 billion, facing cyclical pressure as companies reduce spending on advisory services during economic uncertainty [6].

This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. Will 2026 be a year of spending or a year of paring back? Based on the results of a fourth-quarter survey by Gartner, many CFOs are hoping for both. In an August survey of more than 200 finance chiefs, 56% ranked “achieving enterprise-wide cost optimization targets” among their top five urgent action items over the next six months. Yet 47% also put “allocating capital to new ...

Core Insights - Gartner, Inc. is a large-cap company with a market capitalization of approximately $16.7 billion, providing research, data, and advisory support across various industries [2] - The stock has faced significant challenges, trading about 60.3% below its February high of $584.01, with a 52-week decline of 55.6% and a year-to-date drop of 52.1% [3][4] Financial Performance - In Q3 fiscal 2025, Gartner reported revenue of $1.52 billion, a year-over-year increase of 2.7%, meeting analyst expectations [6] - Adjusted EPS rose by 10.4% to $2.76, surpassing forecasts of $2.43 [6] - The company announced a $1 billion stock repurchase, reducing the share count by 6% year-over-year [7] Future Guidance - Gartner raised its full-year guidance, projecting Insights revenue of at least $5.06 billion, Conferences revenue of $630 million, and Consulting revenue of $575 million [7] - Full-year EBITDA is now expected to be a minimum of $1.575 billion, an increase of $60 million from prior guidance, with margins lifted to 24.3% [8] - Adjusted EPS for 2025 is anticipated to reach $12.65, indicating confidence in sustainable growth and profitability [8] Market Position - Despite recent stock performance challenges, Gartner's stock saw a nearly 4.4% increase on November 5, following the positive earnings report [6] - Technical indicators show that the stock has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bearish trend [5]

Core Insights - Finance leaders are increasingly confident about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their work, despite a stable adoption rate over the past year [1][2]. AI Adoption in Finance - According to Gartner's 2025 AI in Finance Survey, 59% of CFOs and senior finance leaders report that their teams use AI, a slight increase from 58% in the previous year [2]. - The adoption rate of AI in finance organizations was 37% in 2023, which more than doubled to 58% in 2024, but has now plateaued [3]. Confidence in AI - Over two-thirds (67%) of finance leaders express greater optimism about AI in 2025 compared to 2024, with the highest optimism among organizations further along in their AI adoption journey [4]. - Among advanced adopters, 23% feel "much more optimistic" about AI this year, while only 7% of early-stage adopters share this sentiment [4]. Practical Challenges and Experience - The slowdown in AI adoption is attributed to finance leaders facing practical challenges related to implementation, integration, and scaling [3]. - As teams gain hands-on experience with AI, the benefits become clearer, leading to increased reliability and quicker gains once production use begins [5]. Transition from Experimentation to Operational Use - It is crucial for finance leaders to transition from experimentation to real operational use of AI to realize its full potential [6].

Core Points - Gartner, Inc. announced the pricing of its registered public offering of $800 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes [1] - The offering consists of $350 million principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2031 and $450 million principal amount of 5.600% Senior Notes due 2035 [1] - The 2031 Notes were priced at an issue price of 99.970% and the 2035 Notes were priced at an issue price not specified in the excerpt [1]

Q3 2025 Financial Performance - Global Contract Value (CV) increased by 30% to $50 billion[13] - Consolidated Revenues grew by 27% to $15 billion[13] Foreign Exchange (FX) neutral growth was 12%[13] Contribution Margin was 689%[13] - Insights Revenues increased by 51% to $13 billion[13] FX Neutral growth was 36%[13] Contribution Margin reached 767%[13] - Conference Revenues decreased by 16% to $75 million[13] FX Neutral decrease was 41%[13] Contribution Margin was 366%[13] - Consulting Revenues decreased by 32% to $124 million[13] FX Neutral decrease was 48%[13] Contribution Margin was 285%[13] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 19% to $347 million[13] FX Neutral growth was -08%[13] Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 228%[13] - Adjusted EPS grew by 104% to $276[13] - Free Cash Flow was $269 million[13] Updated 2025 Guidance - Consolidated Revenues are projected to be at least $6475 billion[13] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be at least $1575 billion[13] - Adjusted EPS is projected to be at least $1265[13] - Free Cash Flow is expected to be at least $1145 billion[13] Capital Allocation - Share repurchases amounted to $11 billion[13] - Approximately $13 billion remains authorized for repurchase as of September 30, 2025[39]

Core Perspective - Gartner (IT) stock is expanding, generating cash, and is currently undervalued compared to its historical highs [1] Financial Performance - Gartner has a free cash flow yield of 7.6%, indicating strong cash generation capabilities [5] - The company experienced a revenue growth of 5.9% over the last 12 months, suggesting an increase in cash reserves [5] - The stock is trading at a significant valuation discount, currently 34% lower than its 3-month high, 52% below its 1-year high, and 52% below its 2-year high [5] Investment Strategy - The average forward returns for Gartner's stock are projected at 25.7% for 6 months and 57.9% for 12 months, with a win rate of over 70% for both periods [6]

Group 1 - Gartner (NYSE: IT) shares are currently considered attractive for purchase due to a strong and sustainable business model [1] - The company benefits from annual research subscriptions that provide stable cash flow and good profit margins [1] - The current trading valuation is at a forward P/E ratio, indicating potential for growth [1]

Business Model & Revenue - The company's business model drives strong free cash flow through recurring revenue, high renewal rates, and high contribution margins[6] - Total revenue in 2024 exceeded $6 billion, with research subscriptions accounting for 77% of the total[9] - Approximately 75% of research revenue contracts are multi-year agreements, averaging around 1.7 years in length[11] Retention Rates - Client retention rates have been consistently high, reaching 84.3% in 2024[15] - Wallet retention rate was 104% in 2024, indicating growth from existing clients[13] Profitability & Margins - The consolidated Gartner contribution margin was 67.7% in 2024[19] - The research segment contribution margin was 74% in 2024[21] Cash Flow & Investments - Cash provided by operating activities reached $1.485 billion in 2024[26] - Capex spending is expected to be approximately 2% of revenue[36] - The company is reinvesting for growth, with quota-bearing headcount (GTS & GBS) reaching 5,102 in 2024, representing a 7% CAGR[39] Financial Performance - EBITDA reached $1.556 billion in 2024, demonstrating a 17% CAGR[44] - Free cash flow was $1.383 billion in 2024, with a 14% CAGR[46]