Looking back on design software stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including PTC (NASDAQ: PTC) and its peers.

The demand for rich, interactive 2D, 3D, VR and AR experiences is growing, and while the ubiquitous metaverse might still be more of a buzzword than a real thing, what is real is the demand for the tools to create these experiences, whether they are games, 3D tours or interactive movies.

The 6 design software stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some design software stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.1% since the latest earnings results.

PTC (NASDAQ: PTC)

Originally known as Parametric Technology Corporation until its 2013 rebranding, PTC (NASDAQ: PTC) provides software that helps manufacturers design, develop, and service physical products through digital solutions for CAD, PLM, ALM, and SLM.

PTC reported revenues of $774.3 million, up 21.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 8.6%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates but EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

"PTC delivered solid financial results in Q2'26. Our go-to-market transformation continues to gain traction and our Intelligent Product Lifecycle vision is resonating with customers. The execution and momentum we've established over the past several quarters give us confidence that we are building a more durable, multi-year growth engine," said Neil Barua, President and CEO, PTC.

PTC pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. The stock is up 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $146.01.

Is now the time to buy PTC? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS)

Powering the chips behind everything from smartphones to AI accelerators for over 35 years, Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS) provides essential computational software, hardware, and intellectual property used by engineers to design and verify advanced electronic systems and semiconductors.

Cadence Design Systems reported revenues of $1.47 billion, up 18.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. The business had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ billings estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 7.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $362.05.

Is now the time to buy Cadence Design Systems? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB)

Known for its iconic "D" logo that appears before countless movies and TV shows, Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) designs and licenses audio and video technologies that enhance entertainment experiences in movies, TV shows, music, and other media.

Dolby Laboratories reported revenues of $395.6 million, up 7.1% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted revenue and EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Dolby Laboratories delivered the highest full-year guidance raise but had the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 9.5% since the results and currently trades at $58.05.

Read our full analysis of Dolby Laboratories’s results here.

Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE)

Originally named after Adobe Creek that ran behind co-founder John Warnock's house, Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) develops software products used for digital content creation, document management, and marketing solutions across desktop, mobile, and cloud platforms.

Adobe reported revenues of $6.40 billion, up 12% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ billings estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter beating analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 8.8% since reporting and currently trades at $246.01.

Read our full, actionable report on Adobe here, it’s free.

Unity (NYSE: U)

Powering over half of the world's mobile games and expanding into industries from automotive to architecture, Unity (NYSE: U) provides software tools and services that allow developers to create, run, and monetize interactive 2D and 3D content across multiple platforms.

Unity reported revenues of $508.2 million, up 16.8% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ billings estimates.

Unity had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is down 1% since reporting and currently trades at $27.00.

Read our full, actionable report on Unity here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.