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14 Best Software Stocks To Buy According To Hedge Funds

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 14 best software stocks to buy according to hedge funds. To skip our detailed analysis of the tech sector, you can go directly to see the 5 Best Software Stocks To Buy According To Hedge Funds.

AI is Revolutionizing the Software Industry

News in the technology industry has long been dominated by talks of artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Considering this, it’s unsurprising that application software and software infrastructure companies are also beginning to be pulled into the craze surrounding AI and semiconductors, so much so that enterprise software companies may very well become revolutionized by artificial intelligence and drive up demand for semiconductor companies and their technology. With the growing use of artificial intelligence by software companies, not only can these companies expect to see greater innovation in their work processes, leading to perhaps higher profitability for themselves in the long run, but also, users of their software products can expect to benefit from the integration of artificial intelligence in software tools and products, making these much more accessible to every other user.

On February 21, NVIDIA Corporation’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO, Jensen Huang, joined CNBC’s “Last Call” to discuss this possibility. Here are some of his comments from the call:

“What’s gonna happen is this: the world’s enterprise software platforms represent approximately a trillion dollars. These trillion dollars represent most platforms, like ServiceNow, it represents data platforms like Snowflake, Dropbox, Box, SAP, Oracle. These application oriented, tools oriented platforms and data oriented platforms are all going to be revolutionized with these AI agents that sit on top of it. And the way to think about that is very simple. Whereas these platforms used to be tools that experts would learn to use, in the future, these tools companies will also offer AI agents that you can hire to help you use these tools, or to help you reduce the barrier of using these tools.”

The AI Craze: Hype or Reality?

Gene Munster, the Managing Partner at Deepwater Asset Management, also joined CNBC’s “Last Call” on February 21 to discuss the application of AI in enterprise software. Here are some of his comments:

“There is already an infrastructural layer that’s in place, it’s still nascent, but there is a lot of use for some of the things that Jensen Huang was just talking about… they are actually using AI. And that is in incredible numbers. I said I expected it to be 5%, but 40% does show that even though this is early, we’re getting a lot of use from AI. I guess this really speaks to the question of AI, how much is it hype, how much is it reality? This looks to be more than just a guess from the big tech companies, that it’s gonna be something that people are actually using.”

Considering the above, investors are beginning to gravitate not just towards pure artificial intelligence plays in the market, but also software companies that may be making use of AI to enhance their products and services. As such, we have compiled a list of some of the best software stocks to buy now, such as Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), salesforce.com, inc. (NYSE:CRM), and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER). Our list includes some of the best software stocks to invest in for the long term, alongside some of the best AI software stocks as well.

An engineer wearing virtual reality goggles programming the company’s video cloud and software.

Our Methodology 

To compile our list of the best software stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we consulted Insider Monkey’s hedge fund data for the fourth quarter. The stocks were shortlisted and ranked based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them, from the lowest to the highest number. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). That’s why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.

Best Software Stocks To Buy According To Hedge Funds

14. CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) is a systems software company. It provides cloud-delivered protection across endpoints and cloud workloads, identity, and data.

Guggenheim analyst John Difucci maintained a Buy rating and a $358 price target on CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) this February.

There were 62 hedge funds long CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $2.6 billion.

Baron Funds mentioned CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) in its fourth-quarter 2023 investor letter:

“Improving unit economics: Many of our companies were able to significantly expand margins during 2023 even though revenue growth decelerated for some of them, showcasing the power of their capital-light, recurring revenue business models, and their increased focus on efficiency. Another example is the cybersecurity platform, CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD), which is expected to increase its operating margins from 15.9% in 2022 to 20.8% in 2023 as a result of growing efficiencies, while the company’s platform offering is resonating with an increasing number of customers (for example, deals with eight or more modules grew 78% year-over-year in the last quarter), which is a tailwind to sales productivity.”

13. Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 66

In the fourth quarter, 66 hedge funds were long Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) with a total stake value of $3.2 billion.

Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) is an application software company. It provides electronic design automation software products used to design and test integrated circuits.

Joe Vruwink at Baird maintained an Outperform rating and a $640 price target on Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) this February.

Carillon Tower Advisers mentioned Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) in its fourth-quarter 2023 investor letter:

“Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) provides software for the development of semiconductors. Investors have appreciated the continued strength in demand from major semiconductor companies and the company’s new product announcements leveraging artificial intelligence.”

12. Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68

Based in San Francisco, California, Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK) is an application software company. The company develops and markets cloud services and licensed software solutions in the US and internationally.

Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK) was seen in the portfolios of 68 hedge funds in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $3.9 billion.

ClearBridge Investments mentioned Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:

“Stock selection in the IT sector was the main detractor during the quarter, as the prospect of a higher-for-longer rate environment weighed on longer-duration, higher growth stocks. Despite these challenges, there were also strong positive contributions from Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK) and AppLovin. Splunk’s price rallied on the news of its acquisition by Cisco, and investors applauded AppLovin’s new, AI-enabled platform which is improving productivity in its mobile games ad network.”

Like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), salesforce.com, inc. (NYSE:CRM), and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER), Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK) is one of the best software stocks to buy now.

11. Datadog, Inc. (NASDAQ:DDOG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72

Datadog, Inc. (NASDAQ:DDOG) is another application software company on our list of the best software stocks to buy. It operates an observability and security platform for cloud applications in North America and internationally.

RBC Capital’s Matthew Hedberg reiterated an Outperform rating on Datadog, Inc. (NASDAQ:DDOG) on February 16, alongside a $151 price target.

There were 72 hedge funds long Datadog, Inc. (NASDAQ:DDOG) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $2.4 billion.

10. Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72

We saw 72 hedge funds long Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $3.6 billion.

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) is a provider of software, hardware, and reusable integrated circuit design blocks worldwide. It is based in San Jose, California.

On February 14, Morgan Stanley’s Lee Simpson placed an Overweight rating on Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) alongside a $350 price target.

9. Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75

Michael Turrin at Wells Fargo holds an Overweight rating and a $710 price target on Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) as of February 21.

Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) is a provider of financial management and compliance products and services operating in the application software industry. It is based in Mountain View, California.

In total, 75 hedge funds were long Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) in the fourth quarter. Their total stake value was $6.9 billion.

Fisher Asset Management was the most prominent shareholder in Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU) at the end of the fourth quarter, holding 3.1 million shares in the company.

8. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77 

Holding 3.1 million shares in the company, Citadel Investment Group was the largest shareholder in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) at the end of the fourth quarter.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) is a systems software company based in Santa Clara, California. It provides cybersecurity solutions such as firewall appliances and software.

Keybanc’s Michael Turits holds an Overweight rating and a $380 price target on Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) as of February 21.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) had 77 hedge funds long its stock in the fourth quarter. Their total stake value was $1.8 billion.

Here’s what TimesSquare Capital Management said about Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:

“Across the Information Technology universe, we seek companies possessing differentiated capabilities, products, and services. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) supplies network and cloud-based security solutions to enterprises, service providers, and government entities. The latest quarter was mixed with the company falling shy versus the Street on billings, in line for revenues, and outpacing earnings. Palo Alto’s updated guidance was materially ahead of lowered Street expectations. Nevertheless, its shares pulled back by -8%.”

7. Workday, Inc. (NYSE:WDAY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 81

Our hedge fund data for the fourth quarter shows 81 hedge funds long Workday, Inc. (NYSE:WDAY), with a total stake value of $5.4 billion.

Workday, Inc. (NYSE:WDAY) is an application software company that provides enterprise cloud applications. It is based in Pleasanton, California.

Wells Fargo’s Michael Turrin maintained an Overweight rating and a $350 price target on Workday, Inc. (NYSE:WDAY) on February 20.

Like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), salesforce.com, inc. (NYSE:CRM), and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER), Workday, Inc. (NYSE:WDAY) is among the best software stocks to buy now.

6. Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86

Altimeter Capital Management was the most prominent shareholder in Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) at the end of the fourth quarter, holding 12.4 million shares in the company.

On February 21, Needham’s Mike Cikos maintained a Buy rating and a $265 price target on Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW).

Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) is an internet services and software infrastructure company based in Bozeman, Montana. The company provides a cloud-based data platform.

A total of 86 hedge funds were long Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) in the fourth quarter. Their total stake value was $7 billion.

Altimeter Capital Management was the most prominent shareholder in Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) at the end of the fourth quarter, holding 12.4 million shares in the company.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Software Stocks To Buy According To Hedge Funds.

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Disclosure: None. 14 Best Software Stocks To Buy According To Hedge Funds.

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

AI is eating the world—and the machines behind it are ravenous.

Each ChatGPT query, each model update, each robotic breakthrough consumes massive amounts of energy. In fact, AI is already pushing global power grids to the brink.

Wall Street is pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence—training smarter chatbots, automating industries, and building the digital future. But there’s one urgent question few are asking:

Where will all of that energy come from?

AI is the most electricity-hungry technology ever invented. Each data center powering large language models like ChatGPT consumes as much energy as a small city. And it’s about to get worse.

Even Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, issued a stark warning:

“The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough.”

Elon Musk was even more blunt:

“AI will run out of electricity by next year.”

As the world chases faster, smarter machines, a hidden crisis is emerging behind the scenes. Power grids are strained. Electricity prices are rising. Utilities are scrambling to expand capacity.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies…

One little-known company—almost entirely overlooked by most AI investors—could be the ultimate backdoor play. It’s not a chipmaker. It’s not a cloud platform. But it might be the most important AI stock in the US owns critical energy infrastructure assets positioned to feed the coming AI energy spike.

As demand from AI data centers explodes, this company is gearing up to profit from the most valuable commodity in the digital age: electricity.

The “Toll Booth” Operator of the AI Energy Boom

  • It owns critical nuclear energy infrastructure assets, positioning it at the heart of America’s next-generation power strategy.
  • It’s one of the only global companies capable of executing large-scale, complex EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects across oil, gas, renewable fuels, and industrial infrastructure.
  • It plays a pivotal role in U.S. LNG exportation—a sector about to explode under President Trump’s renewed “America First” energy doctrine.

Trump has made it clear: Europe and U.S. allies must buy American LNG.

And our company sits in the toll booth—collecting fees on every drop exported.

But that’s not all…

As Trump’s proposed tariffs push American manufacturers to bring their operations back home, this company will be first in line to rebuild, retrofit, and reengineer those facilities.

AI. Energy. Tariffs. Onshoring. This One Company Ties It All Together.

While the world is distracted by flashy AI tickers, a few smart investors are quietly scooping up shares of the one company powering it all from behind the scenes.

AI needs energy. Energy needs infrastructure.

And infrastructure needs a builder with experience, scale, and execution.

This company has its finger in every pie—and Wall Street is just starting to notice.

Wall Street is noticing this company also because it is quietly riding all of these tailwinds—without the sky-high valuation.

While most energy and utility firms are buried under mountains of debt and coughing up hefty interest payments just to appease bondholders…

This company is completely debt-free.

In fact, it’s sitting on a war chest of cash—equal to nearly one-third of its entire market cap.

It also owns a huge equity stake in another red-hot AI play, giving investors indirect exposure to multiple AI growth engines without paying a premium.

And here’s what the smart money has started whispering…

The Hedge Fund Secret That’s Starting to Leak Out

This stock is so off-the-radar, so absurdly undervalued, that some of the most secretive hedge fund managers in the world have begun pitching it at closed-door investment summits.

They’re sharing it quietly, away from the cameras, to rooms full of ultra-wealthy clients.

Why? Because excluding cash and investments, this company is trading at less than 7 times earnings.

And that’s for a business tied to:

  • The AI infrastructure supercycle
  • The onshoring boom driven by Trump-era tariffs
  • A surge in U.S. LNG exports
  • And a unique footprint in nuclear energy—the future of clean, reliable power

You simply won’t find another AI and energy stock this cheap… with this much upside.

This isn’t a hype stock. It’s not riding on hope.

It’s delivering real cash flows, owns critical infrastructure, and holds stakes in other major growth stories.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

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A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

Marc’s been a trader, stockbroker, and analyst. He was the head of the options department at a major brokerage firm and is a sought-after expert for CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and Yahoo! Finance…

But what Marc’s most known for is his award-winning stock-rating system. Which determines whether a stock could shoot sky-high in the next three to six months… or come crashing down.

That’s why Marc’s work appears in every Bloomberg and Reuters terminal on the planet…

And is still used by hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and brokerages to track the billions of dollars flowing in and out of stocks each day.

He’s used this system to survive nine bear markets… create three new indices for the Nasdaq… and even predict the brutal bear market of 2022, 90 days in advance.

Click to continue reading…