Autodesk: Barclays raises PT to $385, maintains Overweight rating.

Autodesk: Barclays raises PT to $385, maintains Overweight rating.

In a significant move ahead of Autodesk's fiscal second-quarter earnings report, Barclays has raised its price target for the company to $385, while maintaining an Overweight rating. This update reflects the investment firm's reassessment of Autodesk's financial prospects, particularly its potential for free cash flow growth in the latter half of 2025 and beyond.

Barclays' revised price target comes on the heels of similar moves by Piper Sandler and KeyBanc Capital Markets. Piper Sandler recently increased its price target for Autodesk to $373 from $361, also maintaining an Overweight rating [1]. KeyBanc Capital Markets has kept its Overweight rating and price target at $350, expressing optimism about Autodesk's performance [2].

The positive outlook is based on Autodesk's strong gross margins and AI-driven products, such as the recently updated Flow Studio VFX tools. The company's acquisition of Wonder Dynamics has positioned it to offer more accessible professional-grade AI-powered visual effects and animation tools.

Despite the positive outlook, uncertainty around Autodesk's long-term margin and growth framework is keeping investors in a holding pattern. Recent checks with channel partners indicated performance below expectations, suggesting a period of strategic adjustments and mixed market signals for Autodesk.

As Autodesk prepares to report its earnings, investors will be closely monitoring the company's financial results and guidance for further insights into its growth prospects. The ongoing investor interest and analyst evaluations of Autodesk's performance highlight the importance of the upcoming earnings report.

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/piper-sandler-maintains-overweight-rating-on-autodesk-stock-ahead-of-earnings-93CH-4214866
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/keybanc-reiterates-overweight-rating-on-autodesk-stock-ahead-of-earnings-93CH-4210873