1Q reporting season reaffirms our thesis

Sector Spotlight  ·  Information Technology
Sector Spotlight  ·  1 May 2026
Information Technology
Sector Spotlight  ·  Information Technology
1Q reporting season reaffirms our thesis

March quarter reporting season is half-way through. Many of the US listed software companies have reported their results. A trend of increasing ROI through AI efficiencies is consistent throughout, reaffirming our thesis that software is oversold.

  • Revenues meet earnings beat: on average 1Q revenues have only come in 0.1% ahead of consensus estimates (Fig 1), but EPS have come in 7% above (Fig 2). The difference points to the impacts of cost efficiencies beginning to flow through.
  • Running leaner vs. pushing harder: As highlighted in our report (see 'Staff Cuts' in Tech Phoenix - Rising from the ashes) we prefer companies who have cut staff to drive consistent productivity over companies with the same amount of staff who are striving to drive increased productivity. We think companies who are actively cutting staff have already unlocked workflow efficiencies through the use of AI and are thus confident in lowering headcount. We see the largest beneficiaries in ASX All Tech Index as being Wisetech (ASX:WTC), Block (ASX:XYZ), 4DMedical (ASX:4DX) and Iress (ASX:IRE) (Fig ?).
  • Beyond the picks and shovels: Semiconductors and Datacentres have been a key focus of AI for being the "picks and shovels" of the AI boom, but beyond the immediate beneficiaries we think secondary plays will be of increasing focus. Infrastructure which supports picks and shovels including electrical services companies stand to be key beneficiaries of AI. The most direct beneficiaries in the space in our view being Southern Cross Electrical Engineering (SXE) and SKS Tech (ASX:SKS).

Fig 1: 1Q26 software avg rev in-line

1Q26 software avg rev in-line

Source: Homodeus research

Fig 2: ...but average EPS beat 7%

...but average EPS beat 7%

Source: Homodeus research

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*Information Technology () | Price: A$—

Price and valuation as at 1 May 2026 (*not covered)

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