Dassault Systèmes lifts its 2026 revenue growth target

what happened

French software maker Dassault Systèmes on Wednesday raised its 2026 revenue growth forecast to 4–5%, up from the earlier 3–5% range. The move followed a third quarter in which revenue climbed 5% to €1.55 billion ($1.73 billion), according to Reuters. It is the company's first upgrade in two years, a sign that the slowdown that began in 2023 may have bottomed out.

The company also raised its operating margin target to 32.5–32.7% from 32.2–32.6%. Quarterly operating earnings rose 10% to €490 million, lifting the margin to 31.6% from 30.1% a year earlier. Chief Financial Officer Rouven Bergmann told analysts that revenue growth had accelerated each quarter this year, from 3% in January–March to 5% in July–September.

Dassault also said its $1.8 billion purchase of life-sciences software maker ArisGlobal, completed in September, would add two percentage points to its fourth-quarter growth forecast of 5–8%. Bergmann said ArisGlobal is projected to grow in double digits in 2027.

why it matters

For investors in software stocks, two signals stand out: accelerating organic growth and a wider margin. Part of the improved outlook comes from the ArisGlobal acquisition, so the market will watch closely how sustainable growth looks once acquisition effects fade.

market impact

Dassault Systèmes shares: the higher outlook and wider margin support the stock

• ▲Dassault Systèmes shares pressure up — a raised revenue outlook and wider margin improve expectations for the company

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