Gartner projects that global software spending will rise by 14.2% in 2025 to $1.25 trillion, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in technology, second only to the data center sector's expected 23.2% growth. This surge highlights the software market's crucial role in driving innovation and operational efficiency across industries. The sector’s sustained expansion is largely fuelled by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies, which are reshaping business operations and unlocking new investment opportunities.
Over the past 15 years, a significant factor behind this growth has been the widespread transition to cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models. These advancements have made software more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective, further accelerating its adoption across industries. As the software market continues to evolve, it remains at the forefront of technological progress, offering lucrative opportunities for investors while shaping the digital transformation of multiple sectors.
According to Forrester’s February 11 report, "Global Tech Market Forecast", global technology spending is expected to increase by 5.6% in 2025, reaching $4.9 trillion. This growth will be primarily driven by key areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, generative AI, and the expanding digital economy. Notably, financial services, government, and media will account for 46% of global tech spending in 2024. However, Forrester estimates that by 2029, 70% of all tech spending will be concentrated in software and IT services, reinforcing software’s growing dominance within the industry.
Further emphasizing this trend, The Business Research Company’s January 2025 report forecasts that the global software products market will expand from $1.8 trillion in 2024 to approximately $2.0 trillion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%. Looking further ahead, the market is projected to reach $3.0 trillion by 2029, maintaining a strong CAGR of 11.3%.
With software becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and business operations, demand is surging at a robust rate. As a result, the software market remains one of the most attractive investment opportunities, supported by continued technological advancements and a rapidly expanding digital economy.
Our Methodology
To identify the 10 worst-performing software stocks to buy according to analysts, we first screened all U.S.-listed software companies with a market capitalization above $300 million and a stock price over $10, excluding smaller and more volatile stocks. We then narrowed the selection to companies that had experienced a year-to-date (YTD) share price decline of at least 20%, further refining the list to include only those with a potential upside of 10% or more. Finally, we ranked the bottom 10 stocks based on YTD returns, placing the worst-performing stocks at the top. Additionally, we included data on hedge fund holdings in these companies as of Q4 2024 to provide further insight into investor interest.
Note: All pricing data is as of market close on February 28.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Is Trade Desk Inc. (TTD) the Best Growth Stock to Invest In According to Analysts?
A large array of computer screens and tech equipment representing the technology company's self-service cloud-based platform.
The Trade Desk, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTD) operates a cloud-based ad-buying platform that enables advertisers to plan, manage, optimize, and measure digital marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including video, display, audio, digital-out-of-home, and social media. The company serves advertising agencies, advertisers, and other service providers within the ad industry.
Like many other stocks, The Trade Desk, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTD) faced a steep decline after its quarterly earnings report on February 12, with shares plunging 33% in a single day. The company reported Q4 2024 revenue of $741 million, reflecting 22% year-over-year growth but falling short of its guidance of at least $756 million. Management expressed disappointment over execution missteps that led to the shortfall. For Q1 2025, the company projected 17% revenue growth, signaling a slowdown compared to 22% in the previous quarter and 28% in Q1 2023. As of February 28, the stock had declined 40% year-to-date.
Despite recent challenges, The Trade Desk, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTD) remains well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing shift toward digital advertising, as brands continue reallocating budgets away from traditional media. On February 20, Loop Capital analyst Rob Sanderson cut his price target from $145 to $101, citing weak Q4 results and the stock’s valuation reset. However, he maintained his Buy rating, believing the company’s long-term growth story remains intact and that its current estimates may prove conservative.
Overall TTD ranks 3rd on our list of worst performing software stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of TTD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than TTD but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
