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Cognyte Software Ltd. (CGNT)
NASDAQ:CGNT

Cognyte Software (CGNT) AI Stock Analysis

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CGNT

Cognyte Software

(NASDAQ:CGNT)

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Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$10.50
▲(7.91% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by improving financial quality (strong cash generation, healthy margins, low leverage) and a positive earnings-call outlook with raised guidance and accelerating software revenue growth. Technicals are supportive with constructive momentum. The main constraint is valuation/earnings quality, as the company remains slightly loss-making on a GAAP basis (negative P/E) and has no dividend yield provided.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
Sustained positive operating and free cash flow improves financial flexibility, funds R&D and sales investments internally, and reduces reliance on external financing. Over 2-6 months this supports product development and deal pursuit while absorbing cyclical contract timing variability.
High and expanding gross margins
Very high gross margins reflect scalable software economics and pricing power, enabling durable operating leverage as revenue grows. Margin expansion increases room for sales/engineering reinvestment and makes profitability recovery easier even with modest top-line expansion.
Software/recurring revenue acceleration
Rapid software revenue growth and an 88% software mix signal a shift toward higher-margin, recurring streams. This increases revenue predictability, improves lifetime customer value, and supports long-term scaling benefits from subscription and maintenance models.
Negative Factors
Still GAAP loss & negative ROE
Persisting GAAP losses and negative ROE indicate shareholder capital is not yet generating positive returns. Until GAAP profitability and ROE normalize, the company faces constraints on capital allocation, investor confidence, and the ability to sustainably fund growth without dilutive or costly financing.
Modest overall revenue growth
While software shows strong gains, aggregate top-line growth remains modest, limiting scale benefits. Slower total revenue expansion can constrain operating leverage, delay margin normalization, and suggest reliance on a few large contracts rather than broad, repeatable market penetration.
Concentration on government/federal demand
High exposure to government and federal contracts makes revenue lumpy and tied to procurement cycles and political risk. Procurement delays or shutdowns can pause multi-year deals, and declining services revenue highlights vulnerability in cross-sell and deployment channels.

Cognyte Software (CGNT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cognyte Software Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCognyte Software Ltd. provides an investigative analytics software to governments and enterprises worldwide. Its Actionable Intelligence for a Safer World, an open software designed to help governments and enterprises accelerate and enhance the effectiveness of investigations. The company also offers network intelligence analytics, open source and threat intelligence analytics, and operational intelligence analytics solutions. Its solutions are designed to support various use cases and support a range of users, including data analysts, investigation managers, and security operations center operators, as well as operational field teams. In addition, the company provides customer support, professional, and integration services. Its government customers include national, regional, and local government agencies; and enterprise customers consist of commercial and physical security customers. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is headquartered in Herzliya, Israel.
How the Company Makes MoneyCognyte Software generates revenue through a combination of software licensing, subscription services, and professional services. The company primarily earns money from selling its software products to government agencies, law enforcement, and private sector clients, often through multi-year contracts. Additionally, recurring revenue from subscriptions for cloud-based services and ongoing software maintenance contributes significantly to its earnings. Key revenue streams include initial software sales, renewals, and consulting services aimed at deploying and optimizing its solutions. Strategic partnerships with technology providers and government contracts further enhance its revenue potential, allowing Cognyte to leverage its expertise in data analytics and security to meet the evolving needs of its clients.

Cognyte Software Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 09, 2025
(Q3-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 08, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call conveyed a positive outlook for Cognyte Software Ltd., with strong revenue growth, increased profitability, and raised full-year guidance. However, there were some challenges, including a decrease in professional service revenue and temporary disruptions in the US federal market due to a government shutdown.
Q3-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Revenue grew by 13.2% year over year, reaching $100.7 million in Q3.
Significant Software Revenue Increase
Software revenue increased by 39.6% year over year, totaling $41.9 million.
High Gross Margin Achievement
Non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 297 basis points year over year to 73.1%.
Improved Profitability
Non-GAAP operating income nearly tripled year over year to $9 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 81.4% to $11.9 million.
Raised Full-Year Guidance
The company expects revenue of approximately $400 million, representing a 14% year-over-year growth, and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $47 million, representing a 60% growth.
Strong Cash Flow
Strong cash flow from operations of $25 million in Q3, with a free cash flow of $23.2 million for the first nine months.
Negative Updates
Decrease in Professional Service Revenue
Professional service revenue was $12 million, a decrease of $1.7 million over last year.
FX Impacts and Increased Tax Expenses
The weakening of the US dollar against the Israeli shekel and other currencies resulted in valuation expenses of $1.9 million, and higher tax expenses due to increased pretax income and global tax structure.
US Federal Market Challenges
Government shutdown temporarily disrupted engagements with federal agencies in the US.
Company Guidance
During the Cognyte Software Ltd. Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 earnings call, the company reported robust financial performance with a 13.2% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $100.7 million. Software revenue grew by 39.6%, contributing significantly to the total software revenue of $88.7 million, which represents 88.1% of total revenue. The non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 297 basis points to 73.1%, while non-GAAP operating income nearly tripled year over year to $9 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 81.4% to $11.9 million. The company raised its full-year guidance, expecting approximately $400 million in revenue and $47 million in adjusted EBITDA, reflecting a year-over-year growth of approximately 14% and 60%, respectively. Cognyte emphasized strong demand for its AI-powered solutions and reported significant customer wins, including a $5 million follow-on subscription with a tier-one military intelligence organization in EMEA. The company also highlighted progress in its partnership with LexisNexis and continued expansion in the US market.

Cognyte Software Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong free cash flow and operating cash flow (TTM) alongside healthy gross margins and improving operating profitability support a solid score. The main offsets are modest TTM revenue growth and still slightly negative net margin/ROE, indicating profitability is not yet fully normalized.
Income Statement
62
Positive
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue is up ~3.1% and gross margin remains strong (~71.6%), supporting solid underlying unit economics. Profitability has improved meaningfully versus prior years (EBIT margin ~1.9% in TTM vs. negative in FY2024/FY2025 annual), but net results are still slightly loss-making (net margin ~-1.4% TTM). Overall, the income statement shows a credible turnaround in operating performance, tempered by only modest growth and not yet-consistent bottom-line profitability.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
Leverage appears conservative with low debt relative to equity (debt-to-equity ~0.18 in TTM, stable vs. recent annual periods), which provides financial flexibility. However, returns on equity remain negative in recent periods (TTM ROE ~-2.8%), reflecting that profitability has not fully normalized. Net-net: balance sheet risk looks contained, but shareholder returns are still under pressure until earnings improve.
Cash Flow
76
Positive
Cash generation is a key positive: TTM operating cash flow (~$39.1M) and free cash flow (~$26.4M) are firmly positive and represent a sharp improvement versus FY2023 (when both were negative). Free cash flow is also up strongly year-over-year in TTM, signaling better operating efficiency and/or working-capital dynamics. The main watch-out is that cash flow strength is not yet fully mirrored by net income (still slightly negative in TTM), so sustainability of conversion should be monitored.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue350.63M313.40M312.06M474.04M443.46M
Gross Profit246.92M215.40M192.13M341.64M310.79M
EBITDA9.38M573.00K-77.35M29.73M47.43M
Net Income-12.05M-15.57M-114.13M-14.89M14.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets497.82M472.08M443.08M664.61M628.82M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments112.72M74.48M52.09M163.02M83.28M
Total Debt35.53M33.36M16.97M124.59M69.99M
Total Liabilities280.72M257.35M233.30M365.52M358.45M
Stockholders Equity198.19M197.88M194.13M285.14M257.50M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow33.59M25.49M-48.67M-15.16M51.98M
Operating Cash Flow46.78M34.56M-36.99M2.63M71.31M
Investing Cash Flow-5.69M9.36M20.13M-17.85M16.42M
Financing Cash Flow-7.95M-2.45M-102.93M58.74M-205.62M

Cognyte Software Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price9.73
Price Trends
50DMA
9.06
Negative
100DMA
8.73
Positive
200DMA
9.11
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.04
Positive
RSI
41.31
Neutral
STOCH
48.08
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CGNT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 9.73 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 9.23, above the 50-day MA of 9.06, and above the 200-day MA of 9.11, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.04 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 41.31 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.08 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CGNT.

Cognyte Software Risk Analysis

Cognyte Software disclosed 60 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cognyte Software reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Cognyte Software Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$2.27B27.0228.84%1.66%3.30%31.18%
68
Neutral
$659.53M-116.37
65
Neutral
$1.05B64.425.09%10.40%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
61
Neutral
$2.63B-79.10-8.95%11.05%45.23%
56
Neutral
$780.53M34.4437.09%3.08%-54.07%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CGNT
Cognyte Software
9.03
-0.28
-3.01%
CSGS
CSG Systems International
79.75
22.08
38.29%
RDWR
Radware
24.15
1.90
8.54%
RPD
Rapid7
11.92
-26.60
-69.06%
TENB
Tenable Holdings
22.06
-21.03
-48.80%

Cognyte Software Corporate Events

Cognyte Extends $65 Million Credit Facilities with Israeli Banks Through 2028
Dec 31, 2025

On December 30, 2025, Cognyte Software Ltd. entered into amended and extended credit facility agreements with Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi, pushing back the scheduled expiration of its prior facilities from January 31, 2026 to January 31, 2028 and securing an aggregate credit line of $65 million. As of the filing date, Cognyte had no outstanding borrowings under either facility, and the updated arrangements, which include customary covenants and a specified non‑utilization fee structure, effectively lock in two additional years of committed bank financing, bolstering the company’s liquidity profile and financial flexibility without immediately increasing its leverage.

The most recent analyst rating on (CGNT) stock is a Hold with a $10.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cognyte Software stock, see the CGNT Stock Forecast page.

Cognyte Software Reports Strong Q3 2026 Financial Results and Raises Fiscal Year Outlook
Dec 9, 2025

On December 9, 2025, Cognyte Software Ltd. announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, ending October 31, 2025. The company reported a 13.2% increase in revenue to $100.7 million compared to the previous year, and a significant improvement in operating income. Despite a GAAP net loss of $3.4 million due to increased tax expenses and foreign exchange impacts, the company achieved strong growth in adjusted EBITDA and improved cash flow. Cognyte’s strong performance and market momentum have led to an increased outlook for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, with expected revenue growth of approximately 14% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 60%.

The most recent analyst rating on (CGNT) stock is a Hold with a $9.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cognyte Software stock, see the CGNT Stock Forecast page.

Cognyte Software to Review Q3 Fiscal 2026 Results on December 9, 2025
Nov 25, 2025

On November 25, 2025, Cognyte Software announced it will hold a conference call on December 9, 2025, to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2026 financial results for the period ending October 31, 2025. The announcement highlights Cognyte’s commitment to transparency and its efforts to keep stakeholders informed about its financial performance, potentially impacting investor confidence and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (CGNT) stock is a Hold with a $9.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cognyte Software stock, see the CGNT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 13, 2026