Brokerages Set Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) Price Target at $271.29

Shares of Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $269.50.

GWRE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citizens Jmp restated a “market outperform” rating and set a $281.00 price objective on shares of Guidewire Software in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Guidewire Software in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Guidewire Software from $275.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Guidewire Software from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, DA Davidson raised shares of Guidewire Software from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $246.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th.

More Guidewire Software News

Here are the key news stories impacting Guidewire Software this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board authorizes $500M share repurchase (completes prior program). Management approved a new $500.0 million buyback and completed the prior authorization, which can reduce float and support EPS and the stock price; this is the primary near-term catalyst for investor buying. Guidewire Announces $500.0 Million Share Repurchase Program and Completion of Prior Authorization
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary frames the buyback as a meaningful bullish signal — analysts and media are debating whether the $500M program changes the bull case, which amplifies investor interest and buying momentum. Does Guidewire’s New US$500 Million Buyback Authorization Change The Bull Case For GWRE?
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage noting why GWRE is trading up ties the buyback, volume and company fundamentals together—helping attract short-term and momentum buyers. Guidewire Software (GWRE) Stock Trades Up, Here Is Why
• Positive Sentiment: Insurtech ecosystem activity: Tempo Labs was named to Guidewire’s Insurtech Vanguards program—incremental validation of the platform strategy and partner momentum. Tempo Labs Inc. Named to Guidewire Insurtech Vanguards Program
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusual options activity: Claims of a large lift in call-option volume (1,297 calls, well above average) suggest speculative bullish positioning by traders but don’t guarantee follow-through. Stock Traders Buy High Volume of Guidewire Software Call Options (NYSE:GWRE)
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo lowered its price target from $275 to $250 (still an Overweight rating). The cut is a modest negative signal for longer-term target expectations even though the bank retains a constructive view. Wells Fargo Lowers Guidewire Price Target

Insider Activity at Guidewire Software

In other news, CFO Jeffrey Elliott Cooper sold 2,872 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.08, for a total transaction of $551,653.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 74,201 shares in the company, valued at $14,252,528.08. This represents a 3.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider James Winston King sold 1,860 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total value of $362,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 33,702 shares in the company, valued at $6,571,890. This trade represents a 5.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 52,740 shares of company stock worth $10,859,052 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.46% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Guidewire Software

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Guidewire Software in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Guidewire Software in the first quarter worth $28,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Guidewire Software in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Guidewire Software during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000.

Guidewire Software Price Performance

Guidewire Software stock opened at $185.18 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 176.36, a P/E/G ratio of 11.75 and a beta of 1.08. Guidewire Software has a 12-month low of $165.08 and a 12-month high of $272.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $206.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $222.75.

Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 3rd. The technology company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.66. The business had revenue of $332.64 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $316.62 million. Guidewire Software had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 10.15%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 26.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.43 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Guidewire Software will post 0.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Guidewire Software declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, January 8th that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the technology company to buy up to 3.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Guidewire Software Company Profile

Guidewire Software, Inc develops software products and cloud services for property and casualty (P&C) insurance carriers. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company’s offerings are designed to help insurers manage the core functions of their business—policy administration, billing and claims—while supporting digital engagement, analytics and operational modernization.

Guidewire’s core product portfolio is commonly known as the InsuranceSuite, which includes PolicyCenter for policy administration, BillingCenter for billing and receivables, and ClaimCenter for claims management.