As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q2. Today, we are looking at design software stocks, starting with Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR).
The demand for rich, interactive 2D, 3D, VR and AR experiences is growing, and while the ubiquitous metaverse might still be more of a buzzword than a real thing, what is real is the demand for the tools to create these experiences, whether they are games, 3D tours or interactive movies.
The 6 design software stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.9% above.
Luckily, design software stocks have performed well with share prices up 17.9% on average since the latest earnings results.
Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR)
With a mission to build software for the people that build the world, Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR) provides cloud-based software that enables owners, contractors, and other stakeholders to collaborate and manage construction projects from any device.
Procore Technologies reported revenues of $375.2 million, up 15.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
“Our outstanding Q2 results demonstrate the continued value our platform provides to the construction industry,” said Ajei Gopal, President and CEO of Procore.
Procore Technologies delivered the weakest guidance update of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 23.4% since reporting and currently trades at $61.88.
Is now the time to buy Procore Technologies? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q2: Unity (NYSE: U)
Powering over half of the world's mobile games and expanding into industries from automotive to architecture, Unity (NYSE: U) provides software tools and services that allow developers to create, run, and monetize interactive 2D and 3D content across multiple platforms.
Unity reported revenues of $546.5 million, up 23.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Unity scored the biggest analyst estimate beat in the group. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 28.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $45.55.
Is now the time to buy Unity? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Slowest Q2: PTC (NASDAQ: PTC)
Originally known as Parametric Technology Corporation until its 2013 rebranding, PTC (NASDAQ: PTC) provides software that helps manufacturers design, develop, and service physical products through digital solutions for CAD, PLM, ALM, and SLM.
PTC reported revenues of $600 million, down 6.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ billings estimates and a miss of analysts’ annual recurring revenue estimates.
PTC delivered the slowest revenue growth and weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 15.9% since the results and currently trades at $153.50.
Read our full analysis of PTC’s results here.
Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE)
Originally named after Adobe Creek that ran behind co-founder John Warnock's house, Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) develops software products used for digital content creation, document management, and marketing solutions across desktop, mobile, and cloud platforms.
Adobe reported revenues of $6.62 billion, up 12.7% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. It was a very strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Adobe scored the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is up 22.8% since reporting and currently trades at $268.66.
Read our full, actionable report on Adobe here, it’s free.
Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS)
Powering the chips behind everything from smartphones to AI accelerators for over 35 years, Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS) provides essential computational software, hardware, and intellectual property used by engineers to design and verify advanced electronic systems and semiconductors.
Cadence Design Systems reported revenues of $1.58 billion, up 24.2% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Cadence Design Systems pulled off the fastest revenue growth in the group. The stock is down 3.7% since reporting and currently trades at $325.99.
Read our full, actionable report on Cadence Design Systems here, it’s free.
Market Update
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
