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SoundHound AI vs. Cerence: Which Voice AI Stock Holds More Promise?
ZACKSยท 2025-06-26 15:20
Core Insights - Voice-driven artificial intelligence is becoming a critical area in technology, with SoundHound AI, Inc. and Cerence Inc. leading in this niche [1] - SoundHound is a newer player with a broad industry focus, while Cerence specializes in automotive voice assistants [2][3] SoundHound AI Overview - SoundHound combines advanced speech recognition with large language models, enabling natural voice interactions across various sectors [4] - The company has a three-pronged strategy focusing on enterprise agents, automotive assistants, and voice commerce, which enhances its market position [5] - In Q1 2025, SoundHound reported a 151% year-over-year revenue increase to $29.1 million, driven by growth in restaurant and enterprise solutions [6][8] - The company aims for full-year revenue guidance of $157-$177 million, indicating potential for significant growth [6][8] Cerence Inc. Overview - Cerence is the leading voice AI provider in the automotive sector, with its technology embedded in over 500 million vehicles and powering approximately 51% of cars produced in the last year [9] - The company reported a 15% year-over-year revenue increase to $78 million in its fiscal second quarter, aided by a one-time fixed-license boost [11] - Cerence maintains a fiscal 2025 revenue guidance of $236-$247 million, reflecting challenges due to the loss of the Toyota contract [12] Competitive Landscape - SoundHound faces competition from major tech companies like Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple, which dominate the AI-powered voice assistant market [7] - Cerence's competitive edge lies in its ability to offer white-labeled voice assistants that maintain brand identity for automakers [9] Stock Performance and Valuation - SoundHound's stock has increased by 7.7% over the past three months, while Cerence shares have risen by 10.6% [14] - SoundHound has a market capitalization of approximately $3.85 billion, trading at about 20.67X forward 12-month sales, indicating a high valuation [17][18] - Cerence, with a market capitalization of around $407.5 million, trades at roughly 1.61X trailing 12-month sales, suggesting a more attractive valuation compared to SoundHound [18] Investment Outlook - SoundHound's diversified industry exposure and strong revenue growth position it for broader upside as voice interfaces gain adoption [24] - Cerence, while established in the automotive market, faces growth constraints and challenges from contract losses [24]