Autodesk Software Revenues Surge Past Target but Share Prices Decline Following Profit Forecasts

2026-08-28 companies

San Francisco, Friday, 28 August 2026.
Autodesk reported strong second-quarter revenues of $2.05 billion, up 16%, yet shares dropped 6% after hours due to profit guidance diluted by its recent MaintainX acquisition.

Second Quarter Revenue Surpasses Expectations

Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) reported fiscal 2027 second-quarter revenue of $2.05 billion, representing a significant increase from the $1.763 billion recorded in the same period of the previous year [2][5]. This performance translates to a year-over-year growth rate of approximately 16.279 percent, surpassing Wall Street consensus estimates of $2.01 billion [1][2]. The design software maker also delivered strong earnings per share results, with adjusted non-GAAP EPS reaching $3.30, exceeding the expected $3.12 [1][5]. Billings, a key leading indicator for the company, rose by 10 percent to $1.85 billion, demonstrating continued demand across its core product families including AECO and AutoCAD [1][2].

Market Reaction to Forward Guidance

Despite the quarterly beat, Autodesk shares fell 6 percent in after-hours trading following the announcement on Thursday, 26 August 2026 [1][5]. Investors reacted cautiously to the company’s third-quarter adjusted EPS guidance, which was projected between $3.04 and $3.09, falling short of the consensus estimate around $3.15 [1][4]. The revenue outlook for the third quarter, ending October 31, 2026, was set between $2.125 billion and $2.140 billion, which remains above expectations but did not offset concerns about margin dilution [1][4]. This market response highlights the sensitivity of enterprise software valuations to forward-looking profitability metrics amidst current economic conditions [1][6].

Strategic Acquisitions and AI Integration

A primary factor influencing the financial outlook is the recent acquisition of MaintainX, a maintenance software specialist, which closed on August 3, 2026 [3][4]. The transaction, valued at approximately $3.6 billion, extends Autodesk’s reach from design into the operation of industrial assets [1]. Management indicated that while the acquisition contributes to revenue growth, it introduces dilution to adjusted margins and incurs transaction costs estimated at $45 million for the fiscal year [2][4]. Additionally, CEO Andrew Anagnost emphasized the company’s AI strategy, stating that future value lies in combining rich context with AI models rather than relying on a single model [3].

Full Year Fiscal 2027 Outlook

For the full fiscal year 2027, ending January 31, 2027, Autodesk raised its revenue guidance to a range of $8.295 billion to $8.345 billion [2][4]. The company projects non-GAAP earnings per share for the full year to be between $12.52 and $12.60, reflecting the incremental contribution from MaintainX alongside underlying growth [2][5]. Free cash flow forecasts were tightened to a range of $2.725 billion to $2.750 billion, as operating and financing costs related to the acquisition are expected to weigh on cash generation [1][4]. Investors will be watching closely for updates on integration progress during the Autodesk University event scheduled for September 15–17, 2026 [3].

Sources

Enterprise Software Earnings Guidance