These software stocks could be winners as earnings season kicks into high gear
Published . Updated .
The bar is higher for software companies now that their stocks have been outperforming, but analysts identify some top picks whose results could shine through.
Directly affected
- No company is named in this report.
Indirectly affected
- IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF+5.6% 9d
iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF: it holds software companies. Linked by “software” (software) in this story.
- MSFT Microsoft+8.4% 30d
Microsoft (prepackaged software): software firms move with business tech spending. Linked by “software” (software) in this story.
- ORCL Oracle-8.8% 30d
Oracle (prepackaged software): software firms move with business tech spending. Linked by “software” (software) in this story.
- CRM Salesforce-3.9% 30d
Salesforce (prepackaged software): software firms move with business tech spending. Linked by “software” (software) in this story.
- PLTR Palantir Technologies+15.2% 30d
Palantir Technologies (prepackaged software): software firms move with business tech spending. Linked by “software” (software) in this story.
Price reaction, T-5 to T+3
| Ticker | T-5 | T-3 | T-1 | T0 | T+1 | T+2 | T+3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGVNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MSFTNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ORCLNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CRMNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PLTRNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Closing-price change versus T-1, the last close before the story. T0 to T+3 fill in after each market close. Prices: Alpaca IEX.
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The bar is higher for software companies now that their stocks have been outperforming, but analysts identify some top picks whose results could shine through.
Source: MarketWatch
Trades by members of Congress and officials in the stocks in this story
- Rep. Lisa McClain bought Microsoft (MSFT) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 30 Sep 2026. That is 28 days before publication. Filed 12 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael Rulli sold Microsoft (MSFT), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 28 Sep 2026. That is 30 days before publication. Filed 2 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sold Microsoft (MSFT), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Sep 2026. That is 34 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna sold Oracle (ORCL) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 30 Sep 2026. That is 28 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna sold Oracle (ORCL) (held by a dependent child), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 30 Sep 2026. That is 28 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna sold Oracle (ORCL) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 25 Sep 2026. That is 33 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sold Salesforce (CRM), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Sep 2026. That is 34 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Salesforce (CRM), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 17 Aug 2026. That is 72 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Tony Wied bought Salesforce (CRM) (jointly held), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 14 Aug 2026. That is 75 days before publication. Filed 2 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Palantir Technologies (PLTR), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Aug 2026. That is 65 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Palantir Technologies (PLTR), worth $50,001 - $100,000 on 17 Aug 2026. That is 72 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Palantir Technologies (PLTR), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 10 Aug 2026. That is 79 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
Public disclosure filings, not a recommendation. The filing link is the source document. News use of these reports still sits under 5 U.S.C. § 13107(c).
This story
12 out of 100
“These software stocks could be winners as earnings season kicks into high gear” scores 12 out of 100. The score uses 1 sources.