In this piece, we will take a look at the 10 best enterprise software stocks to buy right now.
Enterprise software is integral to the functioning of modern businesses, offering a range of applications designed to streamline and optimize various essential activities. These include enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI), supply chain management (SCM), and more. The market is structured around eight core segments based on the functionality of the software: Business Intelligence Software, Content Management Software, Customer Relationship Management Software, eCommerce Software, Enterprise Performance Management Software, Enterprise Resource Planning Software, Supply Chain Management Software, and other specialized enterprise software solutions. The market’s evolution is driven by several key factors. Businesses worldwide are increasingly adopting digital transformation strategies, which are fueling demand for flexible, scalable, and user-friendly software solutions. Cloud-based software, or Software as a Service (SaaS), has become particularly popular due to its adaptability and ease of integration with other systems. Companies are also seeking software that can help them reduce costs, streamline operations, and improve their overall performance.
Geographically, the United States leads the enterprise software market, driven by the high demand for cloud-based solutions and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies. In Europe, the market is propelled by the need for digital transformation and compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing growth due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions and the rise of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In China, the market is dominated by domestic companies due to government restrictions on foreign firms, while in India, the market benefits from the proliferation of mobile devices and startups. Latin America’s market is driven by the need for regulatory compliance and efficient business management solutions.
The enterprise software market is influenced by various macroeconomic factors, including GDP growth, technological innovation, and government regulations. As businesses across the globe strive to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world, the demand for advanced software solutions continues to rise. The growing adoption of cloud-based platforms is particularly significant, as companies seek to enhance their flexibility while reducing operational costs. Additionally, government regulations play a crucial role in shaping the market, affecting the adoption of certain software types and the ability of foreign companies to operate in specific regions.
According to Statista, the Enterprise Software market is poised for remarkable growth in 2024, with revenue expected to reach a staggering $295.20 billion. At the forefront of this expansive market is Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, which alone is projected to generate $89.30 billion in revenue. The overall market is anticipated to continue its upward trajectory with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.35% from 2024 to 2029, resulting in a projected market volume of $401.60 billion by the end of the forecast period. A key metric within the industry, the average spend per employee, is expected to reach $82.91 in 2024, underscoring the growing importance of enterprise software in driving business efficiency and productivity. The United States stands as the dominant player in the global market, with projected revenue of $150.50 billion in 2024, reflecting its leadership in innovation and technology adoption.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is increasingly recognized as a significant growth area within the broader Enterprise Software and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) markets, particularly as more corporations begin upgrading their finance applications. This critical functional area has been somewhat neglected in recent years, but it is now gaining attention as businesses seek to enhance their financial management capabilities. Unlike other software segments where the public cloud has become the dominant delivery model, ERP within the enterprise software landscape is expected to see a more balanced adoption of both public and private cloud solutions. This hybrid approach allows enterprises to leverage the flexibility and scalability of the public cloud while maintaining the security and control offered by private cloud environments, which is crucial for managing sensitive financial data and complex business processes. The public-cloud ERP market, a key segment of the enterprise software industry, includes applications for finance, planning, procurement, and asset management, and is on track for substantial growth. According to IDC data, this market is projected to expand from $36 billion in 2021 to an impressive $73 billion by 2026, representing a strong annual growth rate of 15%. Despite its potential, ERP has been slower to migrate to the cloud compared to other types of enterprise software, with approximately 48% of ERP systems still operating on-premise. However, as large corporations increasingly seek deeper insights into their operations and the ability to scale efficiently, the push toward cloud-based ERP solutions is accelerating. This shift is driven by the need for more integrated and flexible systems that can adapt to the evolving demands of modern businesses.
Given the robust growth prospects and the vital role enterprise software plays in today’s business landscape, this article will explore the 10 best enterprise software stocks to buy now. These companies are well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing digital transformation and the increasing reliance on sophisticated software solutions by businesses worldwide. Investing in these stocks offers an opportunity to participate in the growth of a dynamic and essential industry.
Our Methodology
We used software ETFs plus online rankings to compile an initial list of the best enterprise software stocks to buy now. We narrowed our list to the 10 stocks that analysts see the most upside to. The list is sorted in ascending order of analysts’ average upside potential, as of August 15. Note: We only included companies whose primary business is in the enterprise software industry.
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10. CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR)
Average Analyst Share Price Target Upside: 5.22%
Average Analyst Share Price Target: $290.83
At number ten on our list of ten best enterprise software stocks to buy right now stands CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR). CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) has an average analyst share price target of $290.83, indicating an upside potential of 5.22%. Analysts consider CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) a strong performer, driven by its expanding cloud business and the increasing importance of Privileged Access Management (PAM). Despite tough market conditions, CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) remains resilient, benefiting from the rapid growth in machine identities. Although the stock isn’t cheap, analysts view the company’s robust performance and future growth potential as attractive. The recent acquisition of Venafi is seen as a strategic move that strengthens its position in machine identity management, adding significant revenue and expanding its market. While competition from Okta and others is intensifying, CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) focus on privileged access controls and identity security is considered a key differentiator.
For its latest earnings report announced on August 8, CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) delivered strong results. The company reported normalized EPS of $0.54, beating estimates by $0.14. CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) revenue also reached $224.71 million, surpassing expectations with a $5.10 million surprise. CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) has delivered an impressive year-to-date price return of 27.83%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500’s 16.45% gain. This strong performance underscores the market’s confidence in CyberArk’s growth potential and strategic positioning in the cybersecurity sector.
Next Century Growth Small Cap Strategy stated the following regarding CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:
“CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) is a leading identity security platform which helps companies protect against cybersecurity attacks. CYBR specializes in privileged access management (PAM) and has a full suite of products for identity security. As cyber attack sophistication increases, companies of all sizes need to upgrade from legacy solutions such as SSO (single sign on) and MFA (multi-factor authentication), which is leading to a strong demand environment for CYBR’s solutions. Given this end market backdrop, the company is growing revenue >20% and is delivering solid margin expansion.”
09. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU)
Average Analyst Share Price Target Upside: 6.08%
Average Analyst Share Price Target: $691.77
Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) takes the number ninth spot on our list of ten best enterprise software stocks to buy right now. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) has an average share price target upside of 6.08%, with a target of $691.77. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is trading at levels that many analysts consider unsustainable after a 30% gain over the past year. Current valuations suggest that significant margin improvements are already priced in, even as key macroeconomic tailwinds begin to fade. Analysts believe that with revenue growth normalizing, Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) may be forced to pursue riskier M&A strategies to sustain its momentum. While some analysts think the stock could benefit from favorable macroeconomic conditions in the short term, the long-term outlook is viewed with caution as the current premium pricing may not be justified.
The forward dividend yield for the company stands at 0.55%, with an annual payout of $3.60. The payout ratio is 20.93%, and the dividend has experienced a robust 5-year growth rate of 13.88%. Notably, the company has consistently increased its dividend for 12 years. On August 14 Morgan Stanley downgraded Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) from “Overweight” to “Equal-weight” and cut the price target from $750 to $685. This reflects concerns over Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) aggressive pricing strategy impacting TurboTax’s market share and high expectations for QuickBooks’ growth amid recent price hikes. Despite past strong performance, recent acquisitions and market challenges lead to a more conservative outlook.
Baron FinTech Fund stated the following regarding Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:
“GenAI has captured the market’s imagination, but it’s still very early in the user adoption of this new technology, and the financial payoff from investments into GenAI models and infrastructure is still unknown. We are focused on investing in strong businesses that will be improved by AI, even if this improvement takes time to materialize. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) has been rolling out Intuit Assist, a GenAI powered digital assistant, across its product lines to help Credit Karma users select new credit cards, QuickBooks customers forecast cash flow, Mailchimp customers create targeted email marketing campaigns, and TurboTax customers understand changes in their tax returns from the prior year. We consider these GenAI advancements to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but we continue to closely monitor the impact of new technologies on the fintech industry.”
08. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Average Analyst Share Price Target Upside: 6.50%
Average Analyst Share Price Target: $145.83
At number 8 stands Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) which has an average share price target of $145.83, suggesting a potential upside of 6.50%. Analysts believe Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is set for further gains, despite its 30% rise this year. With AI deals driving growth, including a notable agreement with OpenAI, Oracle is expected to accelerate its revenue in FY25. Currently trading at a 23x forward P/E ratio, below many peers, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) continued expansion in cloud services and AI positions it well for double-digit revenue growth, making it a promising investment with its attractive valuation. The dividend summary for Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) includes a forward yield of 1.17%, an annual payout of $1.60, and a payout ratio of 28.73%. The dividend has grown at an annual rate of 13.22% over the past five years and has been consistently increased for nine years.
In a recent developemnt, on August 13, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) unveiled new user experience enhancements for Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM. The updates, powered by the Oracle Redwood Design System, aim to improve productivity and efficiency in global supply chains. Chris Leone, Oracle’s EVP of applications development, highlighted that these changes will enhance operational speed, reduce costs, and boost accuracy. Key features include advanced smart search, customizable business rules, and Oracle Guided Journeys. New enhancements include automated pricing rules, field parts inventory management, improved product management views, and streamlined mass component replacements.
ClearBridge Value Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:
“Likewise, cloud computing software company Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) reported strong backlog growth and signed a new client in OpenAI, which intends to use Oracle’s cloud infrastructure to train its AI models. The company also received tailwinds from its announced partnership with Google’s Cloud Platform (GCP) to build Oracle’s cloud infrastructure directly into GCP, which we believe will help accelerate the growth of Oracle’s cloud database services.”
