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Adobe SystemsADBEBUYMar 21, 2023Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 18, 2026. Market Open.
We thought the Figma deal would be good for the company, but investors initially did not like it. At $20B, it 'sounded' big, but represented only about 10% of ADBE's market cap at the time of the first announcement. ADBE market cap has risen about another $90B since the offer, so Figma's significance has declined even more. Still, it is disappointing, and ADBE has to pay Figma a $1B cash break fee, but life will go on. ADBE noted this week it will use the cash earmarked for the deal to go to buybacks and more AI development. We would not let the failed deal change our positive opinion of the company's future.
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One of his favourite companies which has consistently delivered returns. Benefits big from the AI trend. However, shares tend to be volatile right after earnings. They report Wednesday. Last year, Adobe bought Figma, a design company. He disagrees with some, feeling that Figma was worth the price, because Figma's tools are so beloved by users. Regulators are challenging the deal over anti-trust concerns. Could Adobe walk away from the deal?
An original cloud king that went profitable a long time ago and is now into AI. Up 58% this year. But after reporting last Thursday, it slid 4% though has partially recovered. Some feel that Adobe's quarter dropped the ball, but he disagrees. They report a modest revenue beat with sales up 10% YOY, with the digital media business better than expected and non-GAAP EPS also beating. There was no problem in the guidance with the earnings outlook robust. Note: a week before the report Adobe announced price increases for subscribers starting Nov. 1 as it develops its Firefly AI. So, share rallied hot before the report. Shares ran up and typically people sell on the news and take profits. Also, Adobe moved its full-year forecast to next December, which spooked some weak-kneed investors. He wanted to hear an update about their Figma buy, but they couldn't yet. Buy this pullback.
Since then, Adobe has been a show-me stock. Last week, the company showed big by delivering blow-out top- and bottom-line beats and raising its full-year forecast. For Q1-2023, EPS came in at $3.80, beating the expected $3.68. Likewise, sales of $4.66 billion beat $4.62 billion, a quarterly record, despite a strong USD. Earnings climbed 13%. Adobe raised its forecasted adjusted EPS for 2023 from $15.15 – 15.45 to $15.30 – 15.60 while Wall Street guided $15.29. Also, Adobe bought back five million shares in the quarter, and predicted 9% earnings growth for 2023. Read Adobe and Algonquin Power: Out of the Penalty Box? for our full analysis.