Bull case
IT would need investors to value it at roughly 30x earnings — about 19x more generous than today's 11x 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 IT stock could go
IT would need investors to value it at roughly 30x earnings — about 19x more generous than today's 11x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 17x 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 IT down roughly 88% 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.

Gartner is a global research and advisory firm that provides insights and guidance to technology and business leaders. It generates revenue primarily through subscription-based research services (~70% of revenue), supplemented by conferences and consulting engagements. The company's moat lies in its proprietary research methodologies, extensive expert network, and entrenched relationships with enterprise clients who rely on its vendor-neutral guidance for major technology decisions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $3.53/$3.30 | +7.0% | $1.7B/$1.7B | +0.7% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.76/$2.43 | +13.6% | $1.5B/$1.5B | +0.2% |
| Q1 2026 | $3.94/$3.50 | +12.6% | $1.8B/$1.7B | +0.2% |
| Q2 2026 | $3.32/$2.99 | +11.0% | $1.5B/$1.5B | -0.2% |
IT 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
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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. $488 — implies +233.7% from today's price.
| Metric | IT | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 11.4x | 19.1x-40% | 21.7x-47% | — |
| Trailing PE | 15.7x | 25.2x-38% | 27.5x-43% | 33.4x-53% |
| PEG Ratio | 0.59x | 1.75x-66% | 1.47x-60% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 9.9x | 15.3x-35% | 17.4x-43% | 24.4x-60% |
| Price/FCF | 8.7x | 21.3x-59% | 19.8x-56% | 25.5x-66% |
| Price/Sales | 1.6x | 3.1x-50% | 2.4x-35% | 5.2x-70% |
| 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 toolIT generates $1.3B in free cash flow at a 19.4% margin — 33.9% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 19.5% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~1.5 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
* Elevated by buyback-compressed equity — compare ROIC (33.9%) for an undistorted picture of capital efficiency.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt). ROE marked * where buyback-compressed equity base may inflate the figure.
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
Rapid advancements in AI pose a significant risk to traditional IT services, potentially rendering them redundant. The unprecedented speed and scope of AI-driven disruption could lead to pricing pressure, platform consolidation, or outright displacement of companies.
A weakening economy can strain consumer spending and impact corporate earnings, leading to more cautious IT budgets and softer deal flow. This economic slowdown could significantly affect stock prices in the IT sector.
Increased scrutiny from US and European authorities on big tech companies regarding privacy, content, and antitrust issues can create significant regulatory risks. Changes in regulations can increase operational costs and restrict business activities.
Cybersecurity incidents can lead to significant financial and reputational damage for IT companies. The sensitivity of leaked data can exacerbate stock price drops, making this a critical risk factor.
The fast-paced nature of the tech industry means that companies can quickly become obsolete if they fail to innovate and adapt to new technologies. This risk is particularly pronounced for companies that do not keep pace with advancements.
Persistent inflation and higher interest rates can increase borrowing costs for IT companies, impacting profitability. Elevated interest rates for extended periods can also reduce the appeal of tech stocks, affecting valuations.
The IT sector is characterized by intense competition, requiring companies to differentiate themselves through innovation and strong customer relationships. Failure to maintain market share may lead to declining valuations.
Global companies relying on international manufacturing and logistics are vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, which can be exacerbated by geopolitical tensions. Such disruptions can impact operational efficiency and profitability.
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
AI and cybersecurity are projected to be major drivers of IT spending by 2025, with a significant percentage of companies planning to increase their budgets for security solutions. This trend is fueled by rising security concerns and the demand for advanced processors and cooling systems necessary for AI and machine learning.
The ongoing digital transformation is leading businesses to adopt cloud services to enhance scalability and reduce capital expenditures. This shift is further supported by advancements in 5G networks and fiber optics, which improve internet speed and bandwidth, facilitating more efficient operations.
There is a rapid increase in demand for hyperscale and edge data centers to support the growing need for advanced computing power driven by AI and machine learning. This trend is resulting in significant investments in data center infrastructure, particularly with a shift from CPUs to GPUs.
IT technologies such as IoT, AI, and blockchain are enabling businesses to innovate by developing new products and services. Additionally, IT facilitates the automation and simplification of complex operations, leading to increased efficiency across various sectors.
Companies like Gartner are recognized for their strong market position in research and advisory services, benefiting from resilient subscription-based revenue. Seagate Technology has experienced notable revenue growth due to data center demand, while Intel's recent earnings reflect a positive turnaround driven by server CPU demand.
Broader economic factors, including population growth and innovation, are expected to sustain a long-term upward trend in stock markets, including IT stocks. The ongoing need to combat inflation further supports the growth potential in the IT sector.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IT IT Gartner, Inc. | $10.2B | 11.4x | +4.1% | 11.4% | Hold | +25.3% |
FOR FORR Forrester Research, Inc. | $117M | 8.0x | -7.5% | -30.1% | Hold | — |
SPG SPGI S&P Global Inc. | $125.4B | 21.6x | +7.8% | — | Buy | +29.4% |
MCO MCO Moody's Corporation | $79.5B | 26.9x | +7.9% | — | Buy | +21.4% |
MSC MSCI MSCI Inc. | $42.4B | 29.7x | +10.2% | — | Buy | +15.8% |
FDS FDS FactSet Research Systems Inc. | $9.1B | 11.9x | +5.7% | — | Hold | +31.2% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
IT returns 18.8% annually — null% through dividends and 18.8% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $1.20 | — | 20.6% | 28.0% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Gartner, Inc. (IT) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 18 analysts covering the stock, 6 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 9 rate it Hold, and 3 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $189, implying +25.3% from the current price of $151. The bear case scenario is $19 and the bull case is $398.
The Wall Street consensus price target for IT is $189 based on 18 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $275 (+82.1% from today), and the low-end target is $140 (-7.3%). The base case model target is $230.
IT trades at 11.4x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. 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 IT in 2026 are: (1) AI Disruption — Rapid advancements in AI pose a significant risk to traditional IT services, potentially rendering them redundant. (2) Economic Slowdown — A weakening economy can strain consumer spending and impact corporate earnings, leading to more cautious IT budgets and softer deal flow. (3) Government Regulations — Increased scrutiny from US and European authorities on big tech companies regarding privacy, content, and antitrust issues can create significant regulatory risks. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates IT will report consensus revenue of $6.7B (+4.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $12.78 (+20.7% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $7.1B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for IT is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
Gartner, Inc. (IT) generated $1.3B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 19.4%. IT returns capital to shareholders through and share repurchases ($2.0B TTM).