Degas Wright, CEO, Decatur Capital Adobe Systems ADBE-Q BUY Mar 23, 2022

It has surprised earnings for many, many quarters in a row, and have been buying back shares. It isn't news that AI is troubling this stock, but so far it hasn't shown up in the results. The AI impact is overly priced in, seen whenever they report each quarter some outperformance. That said, he's giving this one more earnings season.

Views it the same way as Intel. He feels the investor's pain, but finally got out of the way. Slow on execution with AI, and hopes this will change. Firefly had pretty good fanfare and brought many software components together. Doesn't think AI will eat their lunch because AI is more about single solutions than multiple solutions. Lots of brand loyalty. 

Will still be around in 3 years, but 10 years could be a different story.

He will reserve final judgement until the next earnings report in September. If they show weak results, or good results but the street doesn't care again, then he will sell. But he doubts that. Everyday, we use PDF files. There's competition, but Adobe is doing a good job.

He sold it two years ago, because the valuation was expensive and had questions about their AI transition. Also, them not buying Figma was another factor. He still wouldn't buy it. Software companies are being challenged by AI.

AI has penetrated what Adobe does and has reduced the spend on Adobe products. It's difficult for them. She eventually sold it.

The chart looks terrible. Consumers want the cheapest software, even the apps on smartphones, and this hurts Adobe.

Capital allocation framework and organic growth prospects of AVGO are better than ADBE. 

AVGO is in his dividend growers mandate, with very compelling organic growth. Over coming 3 years, earnings expected to grow 20% and the dividend along with them. Software companies are spending all the $$ in the AI race. Who's getting it? The hardware makers, so chip makers are well positioned. Continues to buy.

Honestly, nobody knows how this will play out. But for companies like Adobe, the presence of AI has not hurt their recent quarters.

Valuation fairly attractive, low relative to other mega-cap tech names. Chart doesn't speak to a positive buy, lower lows and lower highs. Price is below a falling 200-day MA. Investment community has shown disdain for every announcement on AI.

They report Thursday. Has fallen dramatically out of favour, similar to Salesforce which reported a big earnings surprise, but disappointing guidance. The street feels that software as a service is vulnerable to AI. Adobe has the best product, though. Is it enough to lift the stock?