Core Insights - Pegasystems (PEGA) is experiencing accelerated growth in its cloud segment, with Pega Cloud's Annual Contract Value (ACV) increasing by 23% year-over-year to $701 million in Q1 2025, driven by demand for AI-powered, cloud-native solutions [1][3] - The company's cloud revenues rose 15% year-over-year to $151.1 million, highlighting the strength of its recurring revenue model [1][9] - Pegasystems aims to grow Cloud ACV by 20% or more, supported by successful cross-selling, upselling, and new client acquisitions [3][9] Cloud Momentum - There is a clear shift among enterprises towards scalable and intelligent automation, with PEGA's AI-infused platforms simplifying digital transformation and enhancing client retention [2] - The increase in ACV indicates deeper customer engagement and more durable multi-year contracts as workloads transition from legacy systems to the cloud [2] Competitive Landscape - Salesforce (CRM) is a strong competitor in cloud-native CRM and low-code workflows, leveraging its extensive integrations and partnerships to enhance its market position [5] - Oracle (ORCL) competes with PEGA in process automation, excelling in infrastructure and large-scale deployments, while PEGA stands out in BPM usability and AI-driven decision-making [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - Pegasystems shares have gained 16% year-to-date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which returned 8.2%, and the Computer-Software industry, which rose 17% [7][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PEGA's earnings is $1.88 per share for 2025, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 24.5% [11]

Industry Overview - The staffing industry is a crucial component of the global economy, facilitating the connection between businesses and talent to foster growth and innovation [1] - The global staffing industry is projected to reach $650 billion in 2025, reflecting a 5% growth from the previous year, driven by labor shortages, the gig economy, and digital transformation in recruitment [4] Emerging Trends - The adoption of AI and automation is reshaping recruitment processes, enhancing candidate matching accuracy and streamlining operations [2] - There is a notable shift towards skills-based hiring, with employers prioritizing practical competencies over traditional educational requirements [2] - Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid arrangements, are becoming standard, prompting staffing firms to adapt their strategies [2] Investment Opportunities - The staffing sector's growth presents attractive investment opportunities, with companies like Paylocity Holding Corporation, Pegasystems Inc., and Upwork Inc. gaining traction [5] - Staffing firms are increasingly seen as key enablers of economic expansion, making them appealing for investors [5] Company Highlights Paylocity Holding Corporation - Paylocity offers AI-powered solutions that enhance HR processes and workforce management through a unified cloud-based platform [7] - The introduction of an AI Assistant provides real-time support, while features like predictive scheduling improve decision-making and employee engagement [8] - Paylocity emphasizes employee experience with tools for continuous feedback and recognition, catering to a modern workforce [9] Pegasystems Inc. - Pegasystems specializes in customer relationship management and digital process automation, enhancing operational efficiency and customer engagement [10] - The GenAI Blueprint solution is gaining traction, combining AI with best practices to create sophisticated enterprise applications [11] - The Customer Decision Hub utilizes statistical AI for hyper-personalized customer interactions, positioning Pegasystems for revenue growth [13][14] Upwork Inc. - Upwork provides a flexible platform for businesses to connect with freelancers, allowing access to specialized skills on demand [15] - The cost-effective model reduces overhead expenses associated with traditional hiring, optimizing resource allocation [16] - Upwork's platform features advanced search filters and project management tools, facilitating efficient hiring and collaboration [17]

Core Viewpoint - Stock splits can lead to significant positive returns for shares, with an average return of over 25% in the 52 weeks following a split, compared to the S&P 500's average return of under 12% [1][2] Group 1: O'Reilly Automotive - O'Reilly Automotive executed a 15-for-1 stock split, reducing its share price by over 93% from above $1,300 to around $89, making it more accessible for retail investors [3][4][5] - The current price forecast for O'Reilly Automotive is $94.30, indicating a potential upside of 7.36% based on 18 analyst ratings [3][5] Group 2: Interactive Brokers Group - Interactive Brokers performed a 4-for-1 stock split, lowering its share price from just over $200 to around $52, which increases accessibility but may have a limited positive impact [6][8] - The 12-month stock price forecast for Interactive Brokers is $53.38, suggesting a modest upside of 0.55% based on 8 analyst ratings [6][9] Group 3: Pegasystems - Pegasystems executed a 2-for-1 stock split, with the share price moving from just over $100 to around $52, which does not significantly impact its valuation [10][11] - The current price forecast for Pegasystems is $53.36, indicating a potential upside of 4.18% based on 12 analyst ratings [10][11] - Pegasystems has seen substantial growth, with annual contracted revenues increasing over three times to $1.4 billion and free cash flow margins exceeding 42% [12] - The company's GenAI Blueprint tool is expected to drive significant adoption in the second half of 2025, which could enhance its stock performance beyond the effects of the stock split [13][15]

Software is ubiquitous and has become the focal point of technological innovation. Apart from running devices and applications, its usage has been extended to managing infrastructure. The Zacks Computer Software industry participants are well-positioned to benefit from the accelerated digital transformation drive across the globe. The shift to cloud and the rise of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) models offers recurring revenue visibility for vendors and scalability for users.The industry growth is also being ...

Core Insights - ServiceNow (NOW) and Pegasystems (PEGA) are key players in the workflow automation sector, leveraging automation and AI to enhance business processes [1][2] - The workflow automation market is projected to grow from $23.77 billion in 2025 to $37.45 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 9.52% [2] ServiceNow (NOW) Overview - ServiceNow is experiencing increased adoption of its workflows as enterprises undergo digital transformation [3] - The company reported 72 transactions exceeding $1 million in net new annual contract value (ACV) in Q1 2025, with a total of 508 customers having more than $5 million in ACV, reflecting a 20% year-over-year growth [4] - In May 2025, ServiceNow launched its Core Business Suite, an AI-powered solution aimed at streamlining core business operations across various departments [5] - A strong partner ecosystem, including major companies like Amazon and Microsoft, is a significant driver for ServiceNow's future growth [6] Pegasystems (PEGA) Overview - Pegasystems is benefiting from the demand for its GenAI Blueprint solution, which utilizes AI to enhance enterprise workflow applications, with over 1,000 new Blueprints created weekly [7][10] - PEGA has expanded its platform with advanced AI capabilities to modernize legacy systems into cloud-ready applications [8] - The company introduced the Powered by Pega Blueprint solution, allowing system integrators to incorporate their expertise into Pega's AI-driven workflow designer [9] - PEGA reported a 13% year-over-year increase in ACV to $1.45 billion in Q1 2025, driven by the strong demand for its GenAI Blueprint [10] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, NOW shares have decreased by 4.5%, while PEGA shares have increased by 4% [12] - NOW has a forward Price/Sales ratio of 14.95X, significantly higher than PEGA's 5.04X [11][15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOW's 2025 earnings is $16.51 per share, indicating an 18.61% year-over-year increase, while PEGA's estimate is $3.30 per share, reflecting an 8.91% increase [17] Conclusion - Both NOW and PEGA are positioned to benefit from the growing workflow automation market, but PEGA shows greater upside potential due to its rising adoption of GenAI Blueprint and strong partner engagement [19]

Core Viewpoint - Pegasystems (PEGA) shares have underperformed compared to the broader technology sector and its peers, but the company is leveraging innovative solutions to enhance its market position and drive growth [1][7]. Group 1: Competitive Landscape - PEGA shares have increased by 5.4% over the past month, lagging behind the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's growth of 8.8% and the Computer Software industry's growth of 12.4% [1]. - The company faces significant competition in the enterprise automation space from major players such as ServiceNow, Oracle, and Microsoft, which have seen share price increases of 15.1%, 11.3%, and 7.1%, respectively [1]. Group 2: Product Innovations - Pegasystems is experiencing strong demand for its GenAI Blueprint solution, which utilizes AI to streamline the design of enterprise workflow applications, making the process faster than traditional methods [2]. - The company has introduced new features to the Blueprint, allowing users to interact with workflows and perform tasks such as creating accounts or correcting billing issues [3]. - The launch of the Blueprint for Government Efficiency Toolkit represents a significant advancement in the company's offerings [3]. Group 3: Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, PEGA reported a 13% year-over-year increase in annual contract value (ACV) to $1.45 billion, with Cloud ACV growing by 23% to $701 million [5]. - Revenues for the same quarter rose by 44% year-over-year to $475.6 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 33.6% [5]. Group 4: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PEGA's 2025 earnings is $3.26 per share, reflecting a 5.2% increase over the past 60 days and a 7.59% growth compared to 2024 [6]. - The consensus revenue estimate for 2025 stands at $1.61 billion, indicating a 7.35% growth over the previous year [6].

Core Viewpoint - Pegasystems has demonstrated strong performance in Q1 2025, with significant growth in sales and adjusted earnings, driven by its GenAI product and cloud migration strategy [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Pegasystems reported sales of nearly $476 million, exceeding expectations by $119 million [2]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.53, beating estimates by $0.50 [2]. - Free cash flow reached a record of $202 million [2]. Annual Contract Value (ACV) Growth - The company's ACV increased by 13% in the quarter, which is considered its most important business indicator [3]. - Pega Cloud's ACV grew by 23%, significantly outpacing the growth of its client-managed offering, Client Cloud [3]. - Pega Cloud currently accounts for approximately 48% of total ACV, indicating potential for margin growth as more clients transition to this higher-margin service [3]. Product Innovation: GenAI Blueprint - Pega GenAI Blueprint is designed to enhance legacy workflows and create AI-centric applications, automating previously manual processes [4][5]. - The product is gaining traction, with over 1,000 new blueprints created weekly, doubling engagement from the previous month [6]. - GenAI Blueprint is seen as a key driver of strong ACV growth and is influencing customer relationships positively [7]. Market Potential and Stock Forecast - The market opportunity for GenAI Blueprint is substantial, with Pegasystems valued at under $8 billion as of April 28 [8]. - Analysts project a 12-month stock price forecast of $100.27, indicating a potential upside of 10% from the current price of $91.16 [7]. - Updated price targets suggest an average upside of approximately 17% over the next 12 months [9].