Feb. 22, 2026 at 8:49 AM ET7 min read

NICE Shares Surge on Strong Q4 Performance and Cloud Growth​

Tim BohenAvatar
Written by Tim Bohen
Reviewed by Ben Sturgill Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs

NICE Ltd stocks have been trading up by 5.5 percent amid positive market sentiment from robust financial results.

Key Highlights in Recent Announcements

  • Q4 results revealed a 9% total revenue growth and an impressive 25% increase in cloud backlog, with strategic initiatives pushing for high-teens cloud growth by 2026.

Technology industry expert:

Analyst sentiment – positive

Market Position & Fundamentals: NICE currently holds a strong market position with its focus on cloud and AI-driven solutions. The company’s fundamentals show promise, with a robust pretax profit margin of 12.6% and a P/E ratio of 17.41, indicating reasonable valuation compared to historical highs. NICE’s enterprise value stands at approximately $6.39 billion, supported by a low long-term debt to capital ratio of 0.03. Despite a negative return on invested capital (ROIC) and moderate returns on equity (4.25%), NICE’s consistent revenue growth and strategic positioning in AI and cloud technologies suggest resilience and an upward trajectory in financial performance. These sound financial metrics enable NICE to maintain a competitive edge in the software and IT services industry.

Technical Analysis & Trading Strategy: NICE’s recent price patterns reveal a bullish trend, as evidenced by rising weekly closes from $95.0135 to $117.69. This suggests sustained upward momentum. The price action signifies robust volume support, indicative of strong buying interest. Additionally, the pattern of consecutive higher highs and lows underscores a bullish sentiment. Traders might consider establishing long positions around the $110 support level, targeting the resistance level of $120, with stop-loss orders slightly below $105 to manage risk. The consistent high-volume surges reinforce this positive outlook, suggesting that the current trend may persist in the near term.

Catalysts & Outlook: Recent announcements from NICE signal robust growth prospects. The company unveiled substantial advancements with its Agentic AI, leading to significant operational improvements for large enterprises. The release of strong FY2025 results, highlighting a 9% total revenue growth and AI ARR expansion, reflects NICE’s ability to capitalize on AI innovations. Moreover, the introduction of a $600 million share buyback underscores confidence in future performance. Despite recent adjustments in price targets by analysts, NICE’s commitment to sustained cloud growth and substantial backlog amplifies its competitive stance. The market perceives AI investment as a strategic advantage, enhancing NICE’s long-term outlook. With solid guidance and strategic initiatives, NICE’s performance suggests resilience against broader technology sector fluctuations, positioning the company favorably for continued growth.

  • Modest revenue and earnings exceeded consensus expectations for Q4, highlighting a transformative year featuring 66% year-over-year growth in AI Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).

  • A sizable $600 million share repurchase program has been announced, contributing to a positive market response, demonstrating confidence in the company’s long-term prospects.

  • NICE’s strategic enhancements in their cloud services, particularly through AI adoption, have become pivotal, with AI now integrated into all new high-value customer experience deals.

  • While revising their price target, Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital maintain a favorable outlook due to the company’s robust financial performance and strategic investments in AI infrastructure.

Candlestick Chart

More Breaking News

Weekly Update Feb 16 – Feb 20, 2026: On Sunday, February 22, 2026 NICE Ltd stock [NASDAQ: NICE] is trending up by 5.5%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as our expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below.

Quick Financial Overview

NICE delivered another robust quarter, reinforcing its status in the tech sphere with a 9% jump in total revenue reaching over $2.03 billion, discreetly overshadowing market expectations. Their cloud segment, a cornerstone of ongoing strategy, witnessed a vigorous 13-14% growth. This signifies the swift adaptation to AI-driven solutions which are clearly paying dividends. A stark reflection of their strategies is the substantial 25% hike in cloud backlog—a testament to burgeoning demand for their cloud offerings. Furthermore, the strategic buyback authorization of $600 million signals a tangible endorsement of the stock’s value and market confidence.

Analyzing their key ratios, a Price-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.41 juxtaposes favorably against its industry peers, indicating potential undervaluation amidst robust profitability margins. The enterprise value paints a hefty figure at approximately $6.39 billion, reinforcing their substantial market footprint. Despite lower-than-consensus guidance for Q1 2026 earnings per share between $2.45 to $2.55, this conservativeness is balanced by strong operational benchmarks and a noteworthy return on equity of 4.25%. Notably, the current share price movements, documented on a recent intraday high of $117.69, bolster a confident market response to these announcements.

Cloud ventures and the encapsulation of AI in key product offerings have propelled NICE’s narrative forward, underlining its ambitious roadmap. The confluence of revenue progress, strategic AI integration, and reinvestment actions encapsulate a positive evaluation for future market performance. This financial reign is further supported by progressive capital allocation, assuring stakeholders of concerted efforts in securing long-term growth and stability. As NICE navigates through these hit milestones, its resilience amidst a competitive landscape spells promising horizons ahead.

Conclusion

NICE’s latest results reinforce its position as a formidable player in the tech domain, leveraging cloud and AI capabilities to drive sustainable growth. The sizable increase in cloud backlog and positive revenue upticks underscore a successful strategic deployment aimed at solidifying long-term sector leadership. While certain key players have adjusted their projections, the intrinsic value remains influential, as echoed by their robust business model and proactive market outreach. As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade says, “I focus on what a stock is doing, not what I want it to do. Let the stock prove itself before you make a move.” NICE’s evolution of its offerings highlights this point, as the positive trajectory in recent financial outcomes heralds an enticing opportunity for traders to engage with a consistently forward-looking entity.

This is stock news, not investment advice. StocksToTrade News delivers real-time stock market updates tailored to highlight the key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Our coverage is designed for active traders and investors who thrive in fast-moving markets, with a focus on volatile sectors like penny stocks, AI stocks, Robinhood stocks and other momentum plays. From earnings reports and FDA approvals to mergers, new contracts, and unusual trading volume, we break down the events that can spark significant price action.

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