Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the design software stocks, including Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) and its peers.

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 Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.9% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE)

One of the most well-known Silicon Valley software companies around, Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) is a leading provider of software as service in the digital design and document management space.

Adobe reported revenues of $5.41 billion, up 10.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with revenue guidance for next quarter slightly missing analysts' estimates.

Adobe delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 14.9% since reporting and currently trades at $499.60.

Is now the time to buy Adobe? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: ANSYS (NASDAQ:ANSS)

Used to help design the Mars Rover, Ansys (NASDAQ:ANSS) offers a software-as-a-service platform that enables simulation for engineering and design.

ANSYS reported revenues of $601.9 million, up 31.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 14.9%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ annual contract value estimates.

ANSYS achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 1.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $337.21.

Is now the time to buy ANSYS? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

PTC (NASDAQ:PTC)

Used to design the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner commercial airplanes, PTC’s (NASDAQ:PTC) software-as-service platform helps engineers and designers create and test products before manufacturing.

PTC reported revenues of $626.5 million, up 14.6% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1%. Still, it was a mixed quarter as it posted EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.