Cognyte Software Ltd. (CGNT) AI Stock Analysis
CGNT AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchCognyte Software Ltd. provides investigative analytics software for governments and enterprises worldwide. In FY2026, revenue increased 14.1% to $400.0M while free cash flow reached $29.7M. The company maintains a solid balance sheet with $67.0M in net cash as of July 31, 2026.
- Market cap
- $635.8M
- Revenue (TTM)
- $421.7M
- P/E
- — fwd 18.6x
- 1Y return
- 7.6% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $12.33 43.2% vs last close
Bull case
- Revenue growth accelerated to 14.1% in FY2026, with quarterly revenue rising 12.0% year-over-year in the period ended July 31, 2026.
- The balance sheet carries $67.0M in net cash with $102.2M in total cash and short-term investments against $35.2M in total debt as of July 31, 2026.
- Free cash flow generation remained positive at $29.7M in FY2026, supported by $40.3M in operating cash flow.
Bear case
- Net income remained negative at -$638,000 in FY2026 and trailing twelve-month EPS stood at -$0.01.
- Revenue CAGR was -2.0% from FY2021 to FY2026 following a 34.2% top-line contraction in FY2023.
- The stock has delivered a 5-year return of -60.5%, underperforming the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.
What Cognyte Software does
Cognyte Software Ltd. specializes in delivering investigative analytics software solutions tailored for governments and enterprises worldwide. Its flagship platform, Actionable Intelligence for a Safer World, is designed to enhance the speed and efficacy of investigations conducted by government agencies and businesses. The company offers a suite of analytics solutions, including network intelligence, open source intelligence, threat intelligence, and operational intelligence analytics. These tools support roles such as data analysts, investigation managers, security operations center operators, and operational field teams. Cognyte also provides customer support, professional services, and integration solutions to ensure deployment across diverse operational environments.
Growth and profitability
Cognyte generated $400.0M in revenue during FY2026, marking an increase of 14.1% compared to $350.6M in FY2025. Gross margin expanded to 72.4% in FY2026 from 70.4% in FY2025, while operating margin turned positive at 3.3%. Net income stood at -$638,000 in FY2026, an improvement from -$12.1M in FY2025 and -$114.1M in FY2023. Over the 5-year period from FY2021 to FY2026, revenue CAGR was -2.0%. For the trailing twelve months ended July 31, 2026, revenue was $421.7M with an operating margin of 4.3% and EPS of -$0.01. In the latest quarter ended July 31, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 12.0% year-over-year, and quarterly earnings grew 177.7%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of July 31, 2026, Cognyte held $102.2M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $35.2M, leaving net cash of $67.0M. The company reported a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18 against shareholders' equity of $195.3M. In FY2026, operating cash flow reached $40.3M, supporting $10.6M in capital expenditures and leaving free cash flow of $29.7M. The company deployed $21.4M toward share buybacks during FY2026, while its share count rose 8.4% over the past 5 years.
Valuation and performance
Cognyte trades at a forward P/E of 18.6x, compared to 18.8x for the median of its US-listed Technology peers. Its price-to-sales multiple is 1.5x, below the peer median of 2.8x, while its EV/EBITDA stands at 23.1x versus the peer median of 16.6x. Cognyte has an enterprise value of $577.3M and a market capitalization of $635.8M. Over the past year, the stock returned 7.6%, lagging the 16.8% return for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over 5 years, the stock returned -60.5%, compared to an 83.0% gain for the S&P 500.
What analysts expect
Wall Street analysts hold 2 Strong Buy ratings, 0 Buy ratings, and 2 Hold ratings on CGNT. The mean price target is $12.33, representing a 43.2% premium over the last close of $8.61. For the current fiscal year ending January 31, 2027, consensus estimates project revenue of $446.9M and EPS of $0.47, reflecting 68.8% earnings growth. For the next fiscal year, 3 analysts project revenue of $493.1M and EPS of $0.77. Cognyte has beaten EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is December 8, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Operating margin of 4.3% over the trailing twelve months remains below the US-listed Technology peer median of 13.2%.
- EV/EBITDA of 23.1x represents a premium to the US-listed Technology peer median of 16.6x.
- Stock price volatility is elevated, with a beta of 1.59 and a 52-week trading range spanning from $6.29 to $12.31.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this CGNT AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Cognyte Software Ltd. (CGNT). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: CGNT income statement, CGNT balance sheet, CGNT key metrics, CGNT analyst forecast, CGNT chart. See the CGNT stock overview for the latest quote and news.
CGNT AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Cognyte Software Ltd.'s ticker and primary exchange?
Cognyte Software Ltd. trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol CGNT.
Does Cognyte Software Ltd. pay a dividend?
No, Cognyte Software Ltd. does not pay a dividend.
What is Cognyte's net cash position?
As of July 31, 2026, Cognyte held $102.2M in cash and short-term investments and $35.2M in total debt, resulting in a net cash position of $67.0M.
What are analysts forecasting for Cognyte's fiscal year ending January 31, 2027?
Analysts forecast full-year revenue of $446.9M and an EPS of $0.47, which indicates projected EPS growth of 68.8%.