We recently compiled a list of the 10 Worst Performing Software Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:MANH) stands against the other software stocks.
Gartner projects that global software spending will rise by 14.2% in 2025 to $1.25 trillion, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in technology, second only to the data center sector’s expected 23.2% growth. This surge highlights the software market’s crucial role in driving innovation and operational efficiency across industries. The sector’s sustained expansion is largely fuelled by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies, which are reshaping business operations and unlocking new investment opportunities.
Over the past 15 years, a significant factor behind this growth has been the widespread transition to cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models. These advancements have made software more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective, further accelerating its adoption across industries. As the software market continues to evolve, it remains at the forefront of technological progress, offering lucrative opportunities for investors while shaping the digital transformation of multiple sectors.
According to Forrester’s February 11 report, “Global Tech Market Forecast”, global technology spending is expected to increase by 5.6% in 2025, reaching $4.9 trillion. This growth will be primarily driven by key areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, generative AI, and the expanding digital economy. Notably, financial services, government, and media will account for 46% of global tech spending in 2024. However, Forrester estimates that by 2029, 70% of all tech spending will be concentrated in software and IT services, reinforcing software’s growing dominance within the industry.
Further emphasizing this trend, The Business Research Company’s January 2025 report forecasts that the global software products market will expand from $1.8 trillion in 2024 to approximately $2.0 trillion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%. Looking further ahead, the market is projected to reach $3.0 trillion by 2029, maintaining a strong CAGR of 11.3%.
With software becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and business operations, demand is surging at a robust rate. As a result, the software market remains one of the most attractive investment opportunities, supported by continued technological advancements and a rapidly expanding digital economy.
Our Methodology
To identify the 10 worst-performing software stocks to buy according to analysts, we first screened all U.S.-listed software companies with a market capitalization above $300 million and a stock price over $10, excluding smaller and more volatile stocks. We then narrowed the selection to companies that had experienced a year-to-date (YTD) share price decline of at least 20%, further refining the list to include only those with a potential upside of 10% or more. Finally, we ranked the bottom 10 stocks based on YTD returns, placing the worst-performing stocks at the top. Additionally, we included data on hedge fund holdings in these companies as of Q4 2024 to provide further insight into investor interest.
Note: All pricing data is as of market close on February 28.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A woman and man in formal attire in a meeting room discussing the latest enterprise solutions technology from the company.
Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:MANH)
YTD returns: -35%
Potential Upside: 53%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:MANH) specializes in providing software solutions that optimize supply chain management, inventory control, and omnichannel operations for retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and other businesses. The company delivers its Manhattan Active applications via the cloud as subscription-based software-as-a-service (SaaS).
On January 29, Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:MANH) saw its share price decline by 24% following its Q4 2024 earnings call, during which management indicated potential short-term headwinds in services due to macroeconomic volatility. In Q4, the company reported a 7% year-over-year increase in total revenue, with Cloud revenue experiencing a robust 27% YoY surge, while Services revenue remained flat. For 2025, Manhattan Associates projects topline growth in the range of 2% to 3%.
Given the sharp decline in share price, the reaction appears somewhat unexpected given the company’s solid performance and optimistic guidance for 2025. However, investor concerns over short-to-medium-term growth prospects were likely the reason after management acknowledged that approximately 10% of its customers had scaled back planned services work for the coming year.
William Blair analyst Dylan Becker views this price drop as a buying opportunity for long-term investors. He remains optimistic about the company’s strong momentum in transitioning to a cloud-based model and expects continued execution of its growth strategy under the new CEO. On February 13, the analyst upgraded the stock from Market Perform to Outperform.
Overall MANH ranks 7th on our list of worst performing software stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of MANH as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MANH but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
