NICE stock: Q3 beat, higher EPS outlook and workforce cuts
Published on 11/06/2026 at 12:09 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSAI growth meets efficiency drive
- NICE exceeded its third-quarter revenue and adjusted EPS guidance ranges.
- AI annual recurring revenue rose strongly and reached a larger share of cloud revenue.
- Management maintained its revenue outlook while raising adjusted EPS guidance and planning workforce reductions.
NICE reported stronger-than-guided third-quarter results on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook. In its press release, the company said total revenue rose 8.0 percent year over year to 790.7 million US dollars for the quarter ended September 30.
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share reached 2.84 US dollars, compared with 3.18 US dollars a year earlier, but exceeded the high end of management's quarterly guidance. GAAP diluted EPS fell to 1.60 US dollars from 2.29 US dollars, while operating margin declined to 15.3 percent from 22.0 percent. The company said the quarter included an atypical 10 million US dollar customer credit; excluding that item, total revenue growth would have been 9.4 percent.
AI momentum and operating reset
AI annual recurring revenue increased 46 percent year over year to 392 million US dollars, reaching 16 percent of cloud revenue. International revenue rose 33 percent, highlighting areas where NICE is seeing stronger demand as customers expand their use of artificial intelligence in customer-experience operations.
At the same time, management announced a plan to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5 percent. NICE said the move will reduce management layers, simplify decision-making and support a partner-led go-to-market model. The company expects 15 million to 20 million US dollars in pre-tax restructuring charges, primarily in the fourth quarter, and will exclude those charges from non-GAAP results.
NICE reiterated its full-year adjusted revenue outlook of 3.17 billion to 3.19 billion US dollars, implying 8 percent growth at the midpoint. The outlook includes expected cloud-revenue growth of approximately 12 percent. Adjusted diluted EPS guidance was raised to 11.12 to 11.32 US dollars from the previous range of 11.06 to 11.26 US dollars.
Management said the efficiency measures are intended to preserve investment in CX AI innovation, customer delivery and go-to-market capabilities. For investors, the results present a mixed operating picture: AI momentum and the earnings outlook improved, while lower margins and the planned restructuring point to continued pressure during the transition.
NICE stock traded at 89.25 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 12:04 CET on Friday, November 6, 2026. The real-time quote of NICE stock provides the latest trading view.
NICE company and market facts
- Company: NICE Ltd.
- ISIN: US6536561086
- Ticker: NICE
- Home listing: Nasdaq
- Latest quote: 89.25 euros on Lang & Schwarz, Friday, November 6, 2026, at 12:04 CET
The broader S&P 500 market environment remains relevant for the US-listed share as investors weigh software-sector growth against margin discipline.
More news and analyses on NICE stock will follow the company's efficiency program and the conversion of AI demand into cloud growth.
