Is Five9 (FIVN) Now a Mispriced AI Growth Play?

The question of whether Five9 (FIVN) represents a mispriced AI growth opportunity hinges on two critical pillars: valuation dislocation and earnings momentum. With the company's Q3 2025 results revealing a surge in AI-driven revenue and profitability, coupled with a historically low price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, the case for a valuation gap between current market pricing and intrinsic value is compelling-but not without caveats.

Earnings Momentum: AI as the Catalyst

Five9's Q3 2025 earnings report underscored a transformative shift in its business model. , according to the company's report. However, the standout driver was the , which saw a staggering 41% YoY revenue surge. This acceleration aligns with the company's strategic pivot toward AI integration, as evidenced by . Such momentum suggests Five9 is capitalizing on the broader AI adoption wave in customer engagement platforms, a trend analysts project to dominate 2026.

Profitability metrics further reinforce this narrative. , , according to earnings data. These figures highlight operational efficiency gains and underscore the company's ability to convert AI-driven growth into tangible cash flow. Additionally, Five9's $150 million share repurchase program-$50 million of which is being accelerated ahead of Q1 2026-signals management's confidence in undervaluation.

Valuation Dislocation: A P/S Ratio at a 10-Year Low

Despite these earnings tailwinds, Five9's valuation remains strikingly subdued. As of Q3 2025, the company trades at a P/S ratio of 1.61, near its 10-year low. This disconnect between performance and pricing is particularly notable given the AI segment's outsized contribution to revenue and bookings. Analysts have set a target price of $35.6, implying a 20% upside from current levels, while the stock's reflects cautious optimism.

The dislocation appears rooted in market skepticism about the sustainability of AI-driven growth. While Five9's bookings-to-revenue conversion has improved, the transition is still taking longer than expected, raising concerns about second-half 2026 growth visibility. Additionally, gross margins have shown a slight decline, potentially signaling pricing pressures or integration costs in AI offerings. These factors may explain why the market has yet to fully price in the company's AI potential.

Risks and Considerations

Investors must weigh these valuation signals against structural risks. The delayed conversion of bookings to revenue could temper near-term earnings growth, particularly if macroeconomic headwinds persist. Furthermore, while the P/S ratio is attractive, it does not account for the quality of revenue-AI-driven sales may carry higher margins but also face steeper competition from rivals like Genesys (GXY) and NICE (NICE).

Conclusion: A Calculated Opportunity

Five9's Q3 2025 results present a compelling case for a mispriced AI growth play. The company's earnings momentum, driven by a high-growth Enterprise AI segment and robust free cash flow, contrasts sharply with its historically low P/S ratio. However, the valuation dislocation is not without justification: risks around margin compression and delayed revenue recognition warrant caution. For investors with a medium-term horizon and a tolerance for execution risk, FIVN offers an intriguing entry point into the AI customer engagement space-provided they monitor the pace of bookings-to-revenue conversion and gross margin trends in upcoming quarters.