Bull case
ADSK would need investors to value it at roughly 33x earnings — about 13x more generous than today's 20x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where ADSK stock could go
ADSK would need investors to value it at roughly 33x earnings — about 13x more generous than today's 20x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 39x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case reflects a scenario where earnings shortfalls or multiple compression combine to materially reduce the stock from its current level.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Autodesk is a leading provider of 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software used by architects, engineers, and creative professionals worldwide. It generates revenue primarily through subscription-based software sales—with its Architecture, Engineering & Construction segment contributing about 45% of revenue and Manufacturing about 35%—plus maintenance and cloud services. The company's moat lies in its industry-standard software ecosystems—particularly AutoCAD—that create high switching costs and network effects across professional workflows.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $2.29/$2.15 | +6.5% | $1.6B/$1.6B | +1.1% |
| Q3 2025 | $2.62/$2.45 | +6.9% | $1.8B/$1.7B | +2.2% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.67/$2.50 | +6.8% | $1.9B/$1.8B | +2.5% |
| Q1 2026 | $2.85/$2.65 | +7.5% | $2.0B/$1.9B | +2.2% |
ADSK beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $341 — implies +39.7% from today's price.
| Metric | ADSK | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg ADSK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 19.6x | 19.1x | 21.7x | — |
| Trailing PE | 46.5x | 25.2x+84% | 27.5x+69% | 67.6x-31% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.75x | 1.47x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 33.3x | 15.3x+118% | 17.4x+92% | 47.2x-30% |
| Price/FCF | 21.6x | 21.3x | 19.8x | 34.2x-37% |
| Price/Sales | 7.7x | 3.1x+145% | 2.4x+218% | 10.2x-25% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.88% | 1.18% | — |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolADSK generates $2.4B in free cash flow at a 35.4% margin — 33.3% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.7% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~0.2 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Autodesk disclosed an internal investigation into its free cash flow and non‑GAAP operating margin reporting practices, leading to a delay in its 10‑K filing. The probe raises concerns about the accuracy of key financial metrics and could result in restatements or regulatory scrutiny.
As Autodesk increasingly relies on cloud‑based technologies, it faces heightened cybersecurity risks. A breach could compromise customer data, damage its reputation, and trigger costly remediation and legal liabilities.
Autodesk’s Annual Recurring Revenue growth has slightly lagged the sector, suggesting competition may be hindering longer‑term customer commitments. This trend could limit future subscription revenue expansion.
The company has experienced negative Customer Acquisition Cost payback periods, indicating that sales and marketing investments are outpacing revenue. This inefficiency could erode profitability if not addressed.
Autodesk’s operating margin has decreased, raising questions about expense management despite revenue growth. A lower margin compresses earnings and limits reinvestment capacity.
Autodesk’s valuation has been described as premium or elevated, making the stock more volatile during market pullbacks or shifts toward valuation discipline. Investors may face downside risk if the market reverts to more conservative multiples.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Autodesk has consistently grown revenue while maintaining healthy profit margins and efficient capital utilization. The company has delivered significant EBITDA and EPS growth in recent years, and its high ROE and ROIC demonstrate strong shareholder returns. Autodesk also functions as a cash cow, converting a substantial portion of revenue into cash flow.
The firm is scaling its cloud platform and expanding into adjacent workflows, monetizing AI‑driven productivity gains. Autodesk leads the design and engineering software market with flagship products such as AutoCAD and Revit, and its cloud‑native platform and AI capabilities give it a competitive edge in AECO and manufacturing. The company is actively investing in AI co‑pilots and improving data continuity across its toolchains.
Autodesk is uniquely positioned to benefit from the rising adoption of AI and cloud computing in design and manufacturing. Its proprietary access to vast volumes of 3D data and deep industry context enables it to develop and scale AI solutions more effectively than competitors.
The company has successfully transitioned to a subscription‑based SaaS model, with a high percentage of recurring revenue that provides stability and predictability. This recurring revenue stream underpins long‑term growth and supports continued investment in AI and cloud initiatives.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADS ADSK Autodesk, Inc. | $52.0B | 19.6x | +16.9% | 16.6% | Buy | +39.0% |
PTC PTC PTC Inc. | $16.3B | 17.8x | +7.9% | 41.6% | Buy | +42.4% |
CDN CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc. | $98.0B | 44.7x | +15.0% | 20.9% | Buy | +4.5% |
SNP SNPS Synopsys, Inc. | $96.6B | 34.9x | +17.7% | 13.8% | Buy | +7.8% |
MSF MSFT Microsoft Corporation | $3.07T | 24.9x | +7.0% | 39.3% | Buy | +33.3% |
ORC ORCL Oracle Corporation | $557.7B | 25.9x | +6.4% | 25.3% | Buy | +32.6% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
ADSK returns 2.6% annually — null% through dividends and 2.6% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | $0.01 | -75.0% | 7.6% | 7.8% |
| 2004 | $0.06 | 0.0% | 6.0% | 6.5% |
| 2003 | $0.06 | -20.0% | 3.8% | 4.5% |
| 2002 | $0.07 | +25.0% | 4.0% | 4.5% |
| 2001 | $0.06 | 0.0% | 16.7% | 17.3% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 51 analysts covering the stock, 38 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 9 rate it Hold, and 4 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $338, implying +39.0% from the current price of $243.
The Wall Street consensus price target for ADSK is $338 based on 51 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $380 (+56.3% from today), and the low-end target is $279 (+14.8%). The base case model target is $485.
ADSK trades at 19.6x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for ADSK in 2026 are: (1) Internal Investigation — Autodesk disclosed an internal investigation into its free cash flow and non‑GAAP operating margin reporting practices, leading to a delay in its 10‑K filing. (2) Cybersecurity Threats — As Autodesk increasingly relies on cloud‑based technologies, it faces heightened cybersecurity risks. (3) Weak ARR Growth — Autodesk’s Annual Recurring Revenue growth has slightly lagged the sector, suggesting competition may be hindering longer‑term customer commitments. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates ADSK will report consensus revenue of $7.9B (+16.9% year-over-year) and EPS of $10.06 (+91.5% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $8.7B in revenue.
Autodesk, Inc. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-21. Consensus expects EPS of $2.84 and revenue of $1.9B. Over recent quarters, ADSK has beaten EPS estimates 92% of the time.
Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) generated $2.4B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 35.4%. ADSK returns capital to shareholders through and share repurchases ($1.4B TTM).