Bull case
BSY would need investors to value it at roughly 41x earnings — about 18x more generous than today's 24x 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 BSY stock could go
BSY would need investors to value it at roughly 41x earnings — about 18x more generous than today's 24x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 33x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 10x multiple contraction could push BSY down roughly 42% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Bentley Systems provides infrastructure engineering software solutions for designing, constructing, and operating infrastructure assets like roads, bridges, and utilities. It generates revenue primarily through recurring subscription fees — accounting for over 90% of total revenue — with the remainder from perpetual licenses and professional services. The company's moat lies in its deep domain expertise and comprehensive software ecosystem that creates high switching costs for engineering professionals in specialized infrastructure sectors.
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 | $0.35/$0.30 | +15.5% | $371M/$366M | +1.2% |
| Q3 2025 | $0.32/$0.28 | +12.3% | $364M/$364M | +0.1% |
| Q4 2025 | $0.27/$0.27 | -1.7% | $376M/$370M | +1.6% |
| Q1 2026 | $0.27/$0.26 | +3.9% | $392M/$382M | +2.6% |
BSY beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
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
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Latest annual revenue by reported region
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Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $47 — implies +40.0% from today's price.
| Metric | BSY | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg BSY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 23.6x | 19.1x+24% | 21.7x | — |
| Trailing PE | 37.7x | 25.2x+50% | 27.5x+37% | 78.6x-52% |
| PEG Ratio | 2.49x | 1.75x+43% | 1.47x+70% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 29.9x | 15.3x+96% | 17.4x+72% | 49.6x-40% |
| Price/FCF | 18.6x | 21.3x-13% | 19.8x | 42.0x-56% |
| Price/Sales | 6.5x | 3.1x+106% | 2.4x+168% | 12.2x-47% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% | 1.88% | 1.18% | 0.39% |
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 toolBSY generates $520M in free cash flow at a 34.6% margin — 11.4% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.1% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~2.2 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 29, 2026
BlackSky Technology Inc. is not yet cash flow positive and may need to raise additional funds. A significant setback, such as a launch failure, could critically impact its financial stability.
A substantial portion of BlackSky's revenue is derived from a small number of major customers, which poses a significant risk to its revenue stability.
BlackSky has a history of substantial net losses and consistently negative free cash flow, leading to significant cash burn. Their notable debt-to-equity ratio further exacerbates financial stability concerns.
BlackSky faces risks from economic and political changes, natural and human disruptions, and fluctuations in capital markets. These factors could adversely affect its operations and financial performance.
The company is exposed to risks related to innovation, new product development, and reliance on technology. Cybersecurity threats and the protection of intellectual property are also significant concerns.
BlackSky is at risk from fluctuating demand for its services and competition from other providers. Reliance on key customers and pricing pressures could impact its market position.
Valuation metrics indicate that BlackSky Technology Inc. may be overvalued, with a Value Score of F. This suggests it could be a poor investment choice for value-focused investors.
Bentley Systems has experienced a slowdown in its average annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth and plans to increase spending to maintain market position. This may pressure free cash flow margins.
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 29, 2026
Bentley Systems has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a reported 12% year-over-year increase driven by subscriptions. Projections indicate continued growth, with a narrative suggesting $1.9 billion in revenue by 2028, requiring approximately 9.7% annual growth.
The company is actively introducing new AI-powered infrastructure solutions, which is seen as a key driver for future growth. This strategic focus on AI is expected to enhance their product offerings and market competitiveness.
Bentley Systems is showing strong financial results with net profit margins around 18.5%. The company is expected to maintain strong profitability with 15-20% growth in operating income and $500M-$570M in free cash flow for FY26.
Bentley Systems has expanded its stock repurchase program, authorizing up to $500 million in Class B shares and convertible notes through 2028. They also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders.
Bentley Systems is considered a dominant player in its niche markets within the infrastructure software sector. This strong market position provides a competitive advantage and potential for sustained growth.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSY BSY Bentley Systems, Incorporated | $9.7B | 23.6x | +11.9% | 18.5% | Buy | +48.3% |
ADS ADSK Autodesk, Inc. | $52.0B | 19.6x | +16.9% | 16.6% | Buy | +39.0% |
CDN CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc. | $98.0B | 44.7x | +15.0% | 20.9% | Buy | +4.5% |
PTC PTC PTC Inc. | $16.3B | 17.8x | +7.9% | 41.6% | Buy | +42.4% |
TRM TRMB Trimble Inc. | $15.0B | 20.5x | -0.9% | 12.4% | Buy | +49.8% |
CAT CAT Caterpillar Inc. | $431.2B | 40.1x | +5.2% | 13.3% | Buy | -11.0% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
BSY returns capital mainly through $125M/year in buybacks (1.3% buyback yield), with a modest 0.80% dividend — combining for 2.1% total shareholder yield.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.07 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $0.28 | +16.7% | 1.0% | 1.7% |
| 2024 | $0.24 | +20.0% | 0.5% | 1.0% |
| 2023 | $0.20 | +66.7% | 0.3% | 0.7% |
| 2022 | $0.12 | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.9% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated (BSY) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 12 analysts covering the stock, 6 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 5 rate it Hold, and 1 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $48, implying +48.3% from the current price of $32. The bear case scenario is $18 and the bull case is $56.
The Wall Street consensus price target for BSY is $48 based on 12 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $55 (+71.5% from today), and the low-end target is $40 (+24.7%). The base case model target is $45.
BSY trades at 23.6x 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 BSY in 2026 are: (1) Liquidity Concerns — BlackSky Technology Inc. (2) Customer Concentration — A substantial portion of BlackSky's revenue is derived from a small number of major customers, which poses a significant risk to its revenue stability. (3) Financial Stability — BlackSky has a history of substantial net losses and consistently negative free cash flow, leading to significant cash burn. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates BSY will report consensus revenue of $1.7B (+11.9% year-over-year) and EPS of $1.06 (+27.6% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $1.9B in revenue.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-07. Consensus expects EPS of $0.38 and revenue of $420M. Over recent quarters, BSY has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated (BSY) generated $520M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 34.6%. BSY returns capital to shareholders through dividends (0.8% yield) and share repurchases ($125M TTM).