Why This Analyst Has Lost Faith in These Top Software Stocks

Photo of Chris Lange
By Chris Lange Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
Why This Analyst Has Lost Faith in These Top Software Stocks

© Chainarong Prasertthai / iStock via Getty Images

Investors felt the renewed pessimism of a bear market as the broad markets continued their sell-off early on Monday. With these concerns reignited, analysts are adjusting their coverage, and one major Wall Street firm is backing off a couple of top names in tech.

[in-text-ad]

Generally speaking, in recessions and bear markets, tech stocks are some of the hardest hit during the downturn. As such, analysts cut their targets across this sector when there might even be a whiff of a correction. Accordingly, RBC Capital is targeting a specific industry within the tech sector where it sees even more downside.

[nativounit]

The brokerage house issued calls in the tech sector where it sees a couple of software firms falling off in the near term. Rishi Jaluria was the lead analyst on these calls, and he noted in the report that he is “cautiously optimistic” on off-cycle software sector earnings but says the impact of a weaker macro environment is likely to be evident.

It is important to remember that no single analyst report should be used as a sole basis for any buying or selling decision.

[wallst_email_signup]

Coupa Software

RBC downgraded Coupa Software Inc. (NASDAQ: COUP) to Underperform from Sector Perform. It also cut the $65 price target to $55, implying downside of 21% from the most recent closing price of $70.00. Jaluria said in the report that Coupa looks “disproportionately recession-prone” compared to peers and its execution issues are likely to weigh on near-term results.

Shares of Coupa Software recently traded near $64, in a 52-week range of $50.54 to $270.79. The stock is down about 57% year to date.

[recirclink id=1163101]

DocuSign

RBC Capital’s Outperform rating on DocuSign Inc. (NASDAQ: DOCU | DOCU Price Prediction) was cut to Sector Perform, and the $80 price target was lowered to $65. That implies downside of 7% from the most recent closing price of $69.75. Jaluria noted that DocuSign’s short-term outlook appears “challenging,” particularly as the company looks for a new chief executive officer.

DocuSign stock was last seen trading near $63, in a 52-week range of $55.86 to $314.70. Shares are actually down 57% year to date.

Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

Featured Reads

Our top personal finance-related articles today. Your wallet will thank you later.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

CBOE Vol: 1,568,143
PSKY Vol: 12,285,993
STX Vol: 7,378,346
ORCL Vol: 26,317,675
DDOG Vol: 6,247,779

Top Losing Stocks

LKQ
LKQ Vol: 4,367,433
CLX Vol: 13,260,523
SYK Vol: 4,519,455
MHK Vol: 1,859,865
AMGN Vol: 3,818,618