Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) and its peers.

The demand for rich, interactive 2D, 3D, VR and AR experiences is growing, and while the ubiquitous metaverse might still be more of a buzzword than a real thing, what is real is the demand for the tools to create these experiences, whether they are games, 3D tours or interactive movies.

The 7 design software stocks we track reported a strong Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some design software stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.9% since the latest earnings results.

Best Q4: Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK)

Starting with AutoCAD in the 1980s and evolving into a comprehensive design ecosystem, Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) provides software solutions for architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment industries to design, simulate, and visualize projects.

Autodesk reported revenues of $1.96 billion, up 19.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

"Building agentic AI for the real world requires specialized data, context, and expertise. Scaling and monetizing it requires a platform and next-generation business models and go-to-market," said Andrew Anagnost, CEO of Autodesk.

Interestingly, the stock is up 2.9% since reporting and currently trades at $240.33.

Is now the time to buy Autodesk? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR)

With a mission to build software for the people that build the world, Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR) provides cloud-based software that enables owners, contractors, and other stakeholders to collaborate and manage construction projects from any device.

Procore Technologies reported revenues of $349.1 million, up 15.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. The business had a very strong quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ billings estimates and accelerating customer growth.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 19.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $57.42.

Is now the time to buy Procore Technologies? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Unity (NYSE: U)

Powering over half of the world's mobile games and expanding into industries from automotive to architecture, Unity (NYSE: U) provides software tools and services that allow developers to create, run, and monetize interactive 2D and 3D content across multiple platforms.

Unity reported revenues of $503.1 million, up 10.1% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Still, it was a mixed quarter as it posted EBITDA guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

As expected, the stock is down 33.8% since the results and currently trades at $19.24.

Read our full analysis of Unity’s results here.

Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS)

Powering the chips behind everything from smartphones to AI accelerators for over 35 years, Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS) provides essential computational software, hardware, and intellectual property used by engineers to design and verify advanced electronic systems and semiconductors.

Cadence Design Systems reported revenues of $1.44 billion, up 6.2% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Cadence Design Systems had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $280.67.

Read our full, actionable report on Cadence Design Systems here, it’s free.

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB)

Known for its iconic "D" logo that appears before countless movies and TV shows, Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) designs and licenses audio and video technologies that enhance entertainment experiences in movies, TV shows, music, and other media.

Dolby Laboratories reported revenues of $346.7 million, down 2.9% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Dolby Laboratories had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $58.73.

Read our full, actionable report on Dolby Laboratories here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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