Autodesk stock holds ahead of Q2 earnings as analysts expect stronger growth

Autodesk Inc. (US0527691069) stock is trading below its recent 12 month high but remains supported by expectations for a stronger fiscal second quarter and solid full year earnings growth as of August 24, 2026.

Per a recent earnings preview on August 24, 2026, Autodesk is expected to report fiscal second quarter earnings after the Nasdaq close later this week, with analysts forecasting EPS and revenue to increase compared with the same period a year earlier.

For investors, the combination of double digit top line growth, expanding margins and a full year EPS outlook in the mid teens is shaping the near term narrative around Autodesk shares.

Latest market data and valuation context

Recent market data compiled from an institutional holdings update shows Autodesk shares opening at $253.82 in the most recent trading session in late August 2026.

The same data indicates a 12 month low of $185.50 and a 12 month high of $329.09, placing the current level closer to the lower end of the range and highlighting scope for upside if earnings and guidance support the growth story.

With the shares trading well below the 12 month high, investors are weighing whether the upcoming fiscal second quarter results and full year guidance can justify a rerating toward the existing analyst targets.

Earnings, growth and guidance signals

According to a recent overview of Autodesk's latest reported quarter, the company delivered EPS of $2.99, beating consensus expectations of $2.84 by $0.15 in its most recently reported period.

That same quarter showed revenue of $1.93 billion against analyst estimates of $1.89 billion, a positive surprise of $0.04 billion that underlines Autodesk's ability to convert demand in its core design and engineering software franchises into higher subscription revenue.

The reported quarter also featured revenue growth of 18.4 percent year over year, while EPS in the comparable period a year earlier was $2.29, implying earnings growth of 30.6 percent and signaling strong operating leverage in Autodesk's model.

On profitability, the latest figures show a return on equity of 57.14 percent and a net margin of 19.49 percent, values that position Autodesk among the more profitable software names focused on design and engineering workflows.

Management has reinforced this momentum with guidance for fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS in a range of $12.40 to $12.65, alongside fiscal second quarter 2027 EPS guidance of $3.10 to $3.14, which both sit above the most recent quarterly EPS of $2.99 and point to continued earnings expansion.

Sell side forecasts referenced in the same overview indicate that analysts expect Autodesk to post 9.7 EPS for the current fiscal year, suggesting that the company is in an acceleration phase where quarterly EPS is trending ahead of the full year run rate as the business scales.

Analyst sentiment and institutional interest

A series of institutional filings dated August 24, 2026 show new positions being taken in Autodesk shares by different wealth and pension managers, signaling ongoing demand for exposure to the company among professional investors.

Across these filings, data aggregators report that Autodesk currently carries an average rating of Moderate Buy from covering analysts, together with a consensus price target of $321.65 that sits 26.7 percent above the recent $253.82 opening price.

That gap between the current price level and the consensus target provides a quantified view of the upside that analysts see if Autodesk delivers on its revenue and EPS guidance over the next several quarters.

The clustering of Moderate Buy ratings around a single mid $300s price target also suggests that the market views Autodesk as a growth name where valuation is supported by recurring revenue, expanding cloud offerings and robust cash generation rather than speculative optionality.

Upcoming fiscal Q2 2027 earnings

An earnings calendar focused on artificial intelligence and software names highlights Autodesk among the companies scheduled to report fiscal second quarter results after the market closes later in the week of August 24, 2026.

In that preview, analysts covering Autodesk expect fiscal second quarter EPS of $2.35, up from $1.73 in the same quarter a year earlier, an increase of 36 percent that would mark another period of strong bottom line growth if delivered.

The same discussion points to expectations of continued revenue expansion, aligning with the earlier reported 18.4 percent year over year revenue growth in the most recent quarter and reinforcing the view that Autodesk is maintaining double digit top line momentum.

Taken together, the guidance range of $3.10 to $3.14 for fiscal second quarter 2027 EPS and the external forecast of $2.35, compared with the prior year $1.73, provide multiple data points for investors to gauge how management's targets relate to analyst expectations and historical performance.

In the broader earnings landscape, Autodesk sits among a group of global companies reporting this week, but its focus on design, engineering and construction software linked to AI enabled workflows makes its update particularly relevant for investors seeking exposure to applied digital infrastructure rather than pure cloud platforms.

Business model and representative product

Autodesk Inc. operates a portfolio of software platforms that enable architects, engineers, designers and construction professionals to create, simulate and manage complex projects across industries ranging from building and infrastructure to manufacturing and media.

The company's business model has shifted decisively toward subscription and cloud delivery in recent years, with customers accessing Autodesk tools through term based and enterprise agreements that provide predictable recurring revenue and higher lifetime value for each seat.

One representative product that illustrates this strategy is Autodesk's flagship computer aided design and drafting solution, which is widely used in architecture, engineering and manufacturing environments as a foundational tool for creating detailed technical drawings and models.

Delivered through a subscription model, this product offers capabilities such as precise 2D drafting, basic 3D modeling, collaboration features, and integration with other Autodesk platforms, allowing users to move seamlessly from initial concept to detailed documentation within the same ecosystem.

The product's integration with cloud based storage, versioning and collaboration tools also creates a natural pathway for Autodesk to cross sell adjacent solutions in areas like building information modeling, structural analysis and project management, reinforcing the company's ability to grow average revenue per customer.

For many small and mid sized firms, the subscription pricing and regular feature updates of Autodesk's core design product reduce the need for large upfront capital investments in software and support, making it easier to adopt and standardize on Autodesk across teams and projects.

Stock perspective heading into earnings

Autodesk stock currently trades on the Nasdaq in USD, with the most recent quote data indicating an opening level of $253.82 and a 12 month trading range between $185.50 and $329.09 as of the latest completed session before August 24, 2026.

With the consensus analyst price target at $321.65, a prior quarter EPS beat of $0.15 over expectations, and revenue growth of 18.4 percent year over year accompanied by strong profitability metrics such as a 57.14 percent return on equity, the upcoming fiscal second quarter earnings release is likely to be a key reference point for investors assessing whether the shares can move closer to the top of their recent range over the next few months.

Read more

Further details on Autodesk's recent earnings performance, analyst estimates and upcoming events can be found in recent institutional holdings reports and earnings previews available through major financial data platforms.

Investor Relations

More information on Autodesk's strategy, product roadmap and financial performance is available through the company's official website at autodesk.com.

Fact box

Company: Autodesk Inc.

ISIN: US0527691069

Ticker: ADSK

Exchange: Nasdaq

Sector / Industry: Software - design and engineering

Index membership: S&P 500