Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q2 behind us, let’s have a look at Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) and its peers.
The demand for rich, interactive 2D, 3D, VR and AR experiences is growing, and while the ubiquitous metaverse might still be more of a buzzword than a real thing, what is real is the demand for the tools to create these experiences, whether they are games, 3D tours or interactive movies.
The 7 design software stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.2% above.
In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.9% on average since the latest earnings results.
Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK)
Starting with AutoCAD in the 1980s and evolving into a comprehensive design ecosystem, Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) provides software solutions for architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment industries to design, simulate, and visualize projects.
Autodesk reported revenues of $2.05 billion, up 16.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ annual recurring revenue estimates but EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.
"AI turns connected data and context into actionable project intelligence that can ease endemic capacity constraints, raise the bar on what's possible in the physical world, and help our customers do more with scarce resources," said Andrew Anagnost, CEO of Autodesk. "To realize that promise, customers need AI that is accurate, fast enough to stay in the flow of work, and affordable enough to use every day. The future of AI for the built world will belong to the trusted platform that combines the richest context with the right models to deliver the best outcomes for customers. Autodesk is uniquely positioned because we build project intelligence across the asset lifecycle by converging design, make, and operate through a continuous flow of data, context, and experience."
Even though it had a relatively good quarter, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 19.9% since reporting and currently trades at $216.68.
Is now the time to buy Autodesk? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q2: Unity (NYSE:U)
Powering over half of the world's mobile games and expanding into industries from automotive to architecture, Unity (NYSE:U) provides software tools and services that allow developers to create, run, and monetize interactive 2D and 3D content across multiple platforms.
Unity reported revenues of $546.5 million, up 23.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Unity pulled off the biggest analyst estimate beat in the group. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 30.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $46.40.
Is now the time to buy Unity? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Slowest Q2: PTC (NASDAQ:PTC)
Originally known as Parametric Technology Corporation until its 2013 rebranding, PTC (NASDAQ:PTC) provides software that helps manufacturers design, develop, and service physical products through digital solutions for CAD, PLM, ALM, and SLM.
PTC reported revenues of $600 million, down 6.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ billings estimates and a miss of analysts’ annual recurring revenue estimates.
PTC delivered the slowest revenue growth and weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. Interestingly, the stock is up 7.7% since the results and currently trades at $142.67.
Read our full analysis of PTC’s results here.
Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:CDNS)
Powering the chips behind everything from smartphones to AI accelerators for over 35 years, Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:CDNS) provides essential computational software, hardware, and intellectual property used by engineers to design and verify advanced electronic systems and semiconductors.
Cadence Design Systems reported revenues of $1.58 billion, up 24.2% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Cadence Design Systems delivered the fastest revenue growth and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The stock is down 8.4% since reporting and currently trades at $310.00.
Read our full, actionable report on Cadence Design Systems here, it’s free.
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB)
Known for its iconic "D" logo that appears before countless movies and TV shows, Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) designs and licenses audio and video technologies that enhance entertainment experiences in movies, TV shows, music, and other media.
Dolby Laboratories reported revenues of $305 million, down 3.3% year on year. This print lagged analysts’ expectations by 2%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations but EPS guidance for next quarter meeting analysts’ expectations.
Dolby Laboratories pulled off the highest guidance raise but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is up 12.1% since reporting and currently trades at $58.04.
Read our full, actionable report on Dolby Laboratories here, it’s free.
Market Update
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.