In this article, we will discuss the 13 Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts
As per PwC’s Global Industrial Manufacturing Sector Outlook, the share of industrial manufacturers expecting to significantly automate critical processes by 2030 should more than double, i.e., from 18% to 50%. The study revealed that the global industrial manufacturing industry, pegged at $16 trillion, remains at an inflection point. AI and other technologies, automation, and industry convergence continue to ramp up and fuel opportunities focused on growth and productivity.
PwC further highlighted that “future-fit” industrial manufacturing companies are leading. As of now, a median of 29% of such companies possess automated processes. This compares to 15% of other companies. The share is anticipated to rise to 65% for future-fit companies compared to 45% for others by 2030.
As per Ryan Hawk, Global Industrials and Services Leader, (PwC US), automation and tech enablement are expected to surge throughout the sector. That being said, meaningful performance differentiation is expected to stem from the fact that how these advanced technologies, such as AI and automation, work together.
Amidst these trends, we will now have a look at the 13 Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
Our Methodology
To list the 13 Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts, we sifted through several online rankings and shortlisted the stocks catering to the broader automation sector. Next, we chose the ones in which analysts see upside to and which are popular among hedge funds, as of Q4 2025.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
13 Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts
13. Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK)
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) is one of the Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On February 27, RBC Capital reduced its price objective on the company’s stock to $335 from $340, while keeping an “Outperform” rating, as reported by The Fly. The firm noted that the company released strong results and gave better-than-anticipated initial guidance for FY 2027. Furthermore, the firm opines that the strength remains visible throughout the portfolio.
This impressive execution is expected to help mitigate potential disruption from the current go-to-market changes. Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) continues to demonstrate that it should be tagged as an AI beneficiary. The firm remains optimistic about the AI monetization opportunity.
In a different release, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) released its Q4 2026 and FY 2026 results, with the company highlighting outperformance in AECO, mainly in construction and emerging markets. For Q1 2027, the company expects revenue of between $1,885 million – $1,900 million and EPS (GAAP) of $1.68 – $1.83.
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) offers 3D design, engineering, and entertainment technology solutions. Autodesk Fusion helps in connecting data from design to manufacturing to production, embedded with powerful AI and automation, which tends to streamline workflows, eliminate repetitive tasks, as well as ramp up decision-making.
We recently covered that its Q4 Revenue rose 19% YoY, you can read that update here.
12. Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB)
Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB) is one of the Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On February 10, the company released its financial results for Q4 2025 and FY 2025, with ARR rising 14% to $2.39 billion, amid notable increases of 16% in its AECO segment and 20% in Field Systems.
In FY 2025, Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB)’s operating income amounted to $592 million, compared to $460.7 million in FY 2024. The company’s operating income and operating margin rose mainly due to organic revenue and gross margin expansion. However, lower acquisition and divestiture transaction expenses supported the increase (though to a lesser extent). The impact was partially mitigated by the loss of divestiture income.
Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB)’s FY 2025 results reflect its progress towards its financial model that it remains on a trajectory to deliver its long-term model of $3 billion in ARR, $4 billion in revenue, and 30% EBITDA margins in 2027.
Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB) is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds. Trimble AI acts as a force multiplier, ramping up workflows through automating repetitive tasks and reducing errors.
11. Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX)
Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX) is one of the Best Automation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On February 17, DA Davidson lifted its price objective on the company’s stock to $55 from $38, while keeping a “Neutral” rating, as reported by The Fly. The analyst highlighted that the firm is raising its 2026 projections, thanks to the increased organic revenue growth outlook along with additional cost reduction initiatives. The firm believes that performance throughout Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX)’s segments seems to be witnessing stability and improvement.
The firm noted Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX)’s focus on expense management, optimization of portfolio, salesforce efficiency, and FCF consistency.
In a separate release, Baird analyst Richard Eastman lifted its price objective on Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX)’s stock to $55 from $45, while keeping a “Neutral” rating. Notably, the firm updated its model after the company’s Q4 2025 results. In 2026, the focus will be on margins.
Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX) offers machine vision products, which tend to capture and analyze visual information to automate distribution and manufacturing tasks.
