Analyst Ratings February 25, 2026

Needham Lowers Clarivate Price Target to $9 While Keeping Buy Rating

Analyst trims target amid valuation compression even as organic growth and AI-driven revenue gains show momentum; CCC announces $500M buyback and product leadership hire

By Ajmal Hussain CCC
Needham Lowers Clarivate Price Target to $9 While Keeping Buy Rating
CCC

SummaryNeedham has reduced its price target for Clarivate Analytics (NASDAQ:CCC) to $9.00 from $11.00 but left its Buy rating intact. The broker pointed to a broader pullback in valuations for comparable information services and vertical software firms as the reason for the lower target, while largely preserving its growth assumptions. Clarivate reported an 8% organic growth rate in the quarter and guided to 8.5% to 9.5% organic growth in 2026. Management has begun counting EIQ as organic, the company said claims volume pressures have eased, Emerging Solutions revenue showed strength, and AI-related sales now account for 10% of total revenue. Separately, CCC Intelligent Solutions unveiled a $500 million share repurchase program, a $300 million accelerated repurchase with Bank of America, and the appointment of Josh Valdez as Chief Product Officer, while Goldman Sachs initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a $9.50 target.

Key Points

  • Needham cut its price target on Clarivate Analytics (NASDAQ:CCC) to $9.00 from $11.00 but maintained a Buy rating.
  • Clarivate reported 8% organic growth in the quarter and guided to 8.5% - 9.5% organic growth in 2026; AI-related revenue now represents 10% of total revenue.
  • CCC Intelligent Solutions authorized a $500 million share repurchase program, entered a $300 million accelerated share repurchase with Bank of America, and appointed Josh Valdez as Chief Product Officer; Goldman Sachs initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a $9.50 target.

Price target change and near-term upside

Needham reduced its price objective for Clarivate Analytics (NASDAQ:CCC) from $11.00 to $9.00, while leaving its Buy recommendation in place. At the time of the note the stock was trading at $5.06, close to a 52-week low of $4.80, which implies potential upside of roughly 80% to Needham's revised target.

Growth metrics and guidance

The firm highlighted Clarivate's continued improvement in organic expansion, noting organic growth of 8% in the quarter, a rate that matched the firm’s third-quarter 2025 results. Company guidance implies organic revenue growth of between 8.5% and 9.5% for 2026. Needham attributed the reported growth to a set of internal developments: EIQ is now being counted as organic revenue, claims volume headwinds have moderated, Emerging Solutions revenue has shown robust growth, and a number of customers have progressed from trial deployments to broader product rollouts. The company also reported that AI usage across its customer base accelerated in 2025, with AI-related revenue representing 10% of total revenue.

Analyst modeling and valuation context

Needham said it made small tweaks to its financial models, with most line items moving up modestly, but the firm lowered the price target to reflect a broader pullback in valuation multiples for firms in the information services and vertical software segments. Needham continues to express confidence that organic growth is inflecting, a central thesis that investors have been watching after multiple prior fits and starts.

Independent analysis cited in the note indicated the stock was down 48% over the prior six months, and that at current levels the shares appear undervalued. The research referenced a comprehensive Pro Research Report for investors seeking additional detail.

Corporate actions and leadership changes

In a separate set of announcements, CCC Intelligent Solutions' board authorized a $500 million share repurchase program. The company has also entered into a $300 million accelerated share repurchase agreement with Bank of America, which will initially deliver approximately 33.2 million shares. That accelerated program is being funded via incremental term loans under CCC’s amended credit agreement.

CCC also named Josh Valdez as Chief Product Officer effective February 16, 2026. Valdez will be responsible for overseeing product strategy with a stated emphasis on expanding artificial intelligence technology across the company’s platform.

Other coverage

Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage of CCC Intelligent Solutions with a Neutral rating and a $9.50 price target, noting the firm's durable position with insurers and repair customers and pointing to the company’s deep integrations and proprietary data as distinguishing features.


What this means

Needham's revision reflects a recalibration of valuation expectations rather than a fundamental reversal of the firm's view on Clarivate's growth trajectory. The company’s organic growth metrics, AI revenue contribution, and the recent capital allocation moves provide multiple data points investors can use to assess the risk-reward profile at current prices.

Risks

  • Valuation compression in information services and vertical software sectors - this affects investor returns and justified Needham's lower price target.
  • Stock price volatility and downside risk given shares trading near a 52-week low and having declined 48% over six months - this impacts holders of the equity.
  • Dependence on execution of product rollouts and AI adoption - if customers do not expand beyond trials as expected, organic growth could stall, affecting revenue-sensitive sectors such as insurance-related services and repair marketplaces.

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