Nice NICE shares have surged 4.3% in the past month, outshining the Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s 2.2% drop.
This upswing can be attributed to Nice’s array of offerings, which have been instrumental in attracting new clientele. Actimize, Evidencentral, CXone, and Inform Elite are among the solutions that have been gaining traction. Nice’s emphasis on its Evidencentral platform has played a crucial role in this endeavor.
Nice recently disclosed that the Pinal County Attorney’s Office in Arizona will be integrating its NICE Justice digital evidence management solution, a part of the AI-driven Evidencentral platform.
This recent venture aims to revolutionize how the office manages digital evidence, presenting a streamlined, cloud-based system that bolsters efficiency and service delivery.
Strong Portfolio Propels Nice’s Potential Growth
NICE’s expanding portfolio has been a pivotal driver of its success. In August, NICE unveiled that the Augusta (Georgia) Judicial Circuit DA’s Office would implement NICE Justice to expedite case processing and enhance digital evidence management.
Nice’s diverse portfolio has been instrumental in attracting new customers. Key collaborations with AT&T T and Microsoft have significantly contributed to this growth.
NICE recently broadened its partnership with AT&T to provide a unified incident capture and data analytics solution for NextGen 9-1-1 centers, showcasing it at APCO 2024.
The deepening association with Microsoft is worth noting. NTR-X Compliance Recording and Assurance Solution has attained transactable solution status in Microsoft’s Azure Marketplace.
NICE’s expanding cloud offerings, particularly its CXone platform, are a positive. In the second quarter of 2024, it reported cloud revenues of $482 million, marking a 26% increase year over year.
NICE’s strategy of regularly updating its portfolio has been a key catalyst, helping fend off competition from industry peers like Five9 FIVN, Salesforce, and 8X8, who are also expanding their presence in the CX market.
In June, Five9 announced an enhanced partnership with Salesforce, integrating AI-powered solutions to enhance customer experiences in contact centers.
NICE’s Upbeat Q3 Guidance
Nice’s endeavors to enhance customer experience through its robust cloud solutions are anticipated to drive revenue growth.
For the third quarter of 2024, NICE forecasts non-GAAP revenues to range between $676 million and $686 million, indicating 13% year-over-year growth at the midpoint. Non-GAAP earnings are expected to fall in the $2.62-$2.72 per share range, implying an 18% year-over-year growth at the midpoint.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $682.67 million, reflecting a 13.52% increase year over year. The consensus figure for earnings is $2.68 per share, up by a cent over the last 30 days, indicating an 18.06% year-over-year surge.
Guidance on NICE Stock for Investors
Despite Nice’s robust portfolio and expanding customer base, challenges from foreign exchange headwinds in the APAC market and stiff competition loom large.
The forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio for Nice stands at 4.18, exceeding its Zacks Computers – IT Services sector’s 2.99, indicating a stretched valuation.
Nice currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that it might be prudent to await a more propitious entry point in the stock.