Analyst Ratings February 12, 2026

William Blair Keeps Outperform on HubSpot as Shares Sit Near 52-Week Low Amid AI Concerns

Analyst firm cites solid quarterly results but says stronger evidence of growth acceleration or AI adoption is needed to lift valuation

By Marcus Reed HUBS
William Blair Keeps Outperform on HubSpot as Shares Sit Near 52-Week Low Amid AI Concerns
HUBS

William Blair has reaffirmed an Outperform rating on HubSpot Inc while the stock trades near its 52-week low after a sharp yearlong decline. The firm points to quality quarterly results but signals that a return to meaningful growth or a notable pickup in AI-driven adoption will be required to rebuild investor confidence. Valuation metrics show HubSpot trading at a notable discount to higher-growth peers, and third-party fair-value analysis implies significant upside.

Key Points

  • William Blair reaffirmed an Outperform rating on HubSpot while noting the stock remains under pressure.
  • HubSpot shares have fallen 73.35% over the past year and trade about 1% above the 52-week low of $207.20; InvestingPro shows the RSI in oversold territory.
  • Valuation gap: HubSpot trades at 2.2 times William Blair’s 2027 revenue estimate and 10.6 times 2027 free cash flow versus peers at 3.2 times revenue and 14.9 times free cash flow; InvestingPro’s fair-value analysis implies about 41% upside.

William Blair has reiterated an Outperform recommendation on HubSpot Inc (NYSE:HUBS), holding to a positive stance even as the shares remain under pressure. Market momentum indicators from InvestingPro show the stock's relative strength index (RSI) in levels that suggest oversold conditions.

HubSpot's stock has suffered a steep slide in recent months alongside many software companies, a move William Blair attributes in part to investor unease about how artificial intelligence will change the competitive dynamics in the sector. Over the trailing 12 months the share price has fallen 73.35% and is trading just 1% above its 52-week low of $207.20, according to InvestingPro data.

In its note, William Blair acknowledged that HubSpot produced solid quarterly results, but the firm warned that the market may require more convincing evidence to fully shake off concerns and reverse the recent price compression. Specifically, the analyst house highlighted two paths that could help restore investor confidence: a material reacceleration in growth, potentially back above 20%, or a significant acceleration in customer adoption of the company’s AI offerings.

On valuation, William Blair’s model places HubSpot at 2.2 times its 2027 revenue estimate and 10.6 times projected 2027 free cash flow. Those multiples compare with a cohort of 15%-20% growth peers that trade at 3.2 times 2027 revenue and 14.9 times 2027 free cash flow, indicating a discount for HubSpot relative to higher-growth software names.

Third-party analysis from InvestingPro’s Fair Value module flags the stock as currently undervalued and notes that the consensus analyst price target implies roughly 41% upside from current levels. The research service also offers a deeper Pro Research Report for subscribers that expands on these figures and the underlying assumptions.


Earnings snapshot

HubSpot reported fourth-quarter 2025 results that exceeded expectations on both the bottom and top lines. The company reported earnings per share of $3.10 versus a forecast of $2.99, and revenue of $846.7 million compared with a consensus projection of $830.61 million. Management issued an annual revenue outlook that came in above analyst estimates, a development that provided some support to investor sentiment.

During the accompanying earnings call, company commentary emphasized a strategic focus on artificial intelligence. Despite the beat and the upbeat revenue guide, the stock fell in regular trading hours before recovering modestly in after-hours trading.


Context and implications

The combination of recent outperformance on results and persistent share price weakness leaves a mixed picture. Analysts view the beats as evidence of execution, while the market appears to be waiting for clearer signs that growth and AI-driven monetization will accelerate materially.

For investors and market participants following enterprise software and AI adoption trends, the key signals to watch will be any sustained lift in revenue growth rates toward the levels William Blair cites and tangible pickup in AI-driven product uptake by customers.

Risks

  • Continued investor skepticism about the sector-wide impact of artificial intelligence could keep pressure on software valuations, affecting enterprise software and tech sectors.
  • Absent a clear reacceleration of growth to levels above 20% or a marked increase in AI adoption, HubSpot’s share price recovery may remain limited, posing execution risk for equity investors.
  • Short-term stock volatility is possible even after quarterly beats, as seen by declines in regular trading hours followed by modest after-hours rebounds, which can affect trading and market-timing strategies.

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