Big data has increasingly become a critical asset for modern businesses, driving the need for advanced data analytics to maintain a competitive advantage. Among the front-runners in the data analytics landscape are Salesforce, Inc. (CRM), Accenture plc (ACN), and Teradata Corporation (TDC). These companies offer sophisticated solutions that enable enterprises to process vast datasets efficiently, resulting in smarter, data-driven decision-making. As a result, stocks in the data analytics sector are witnessing robust demand and exceptional growth potential across various industries.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies stands as a major driving force behind the success and expansion of data analytics. AI and ML provide businesses with automated insights, trend predictions, and operational optimization capabilities, often requiring minimal human intervention. According to PwC’s Pulse survey, an astonishing 73% of executives are focused on leveraging Generative AI (GenAI) to transform their business models. By 2025, industries like retail, healthcare, and financial services will rely heavily on analytics to enhance customer insights, combat fraud, and achieve higher operational efficiency. Statista estimates that the global public cloud market will reach a staggering $1.81 trillion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5%, while the global IT Services market is projected to expand from $1.51 trillion to $1.88 trillion by 2029, showing a CAGR of 5.6%.
Salesforce, Inc. (CRM – Get Rating)
Salesforce, recognized globally for its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technologies, has significantly expanded its services and products to foster global growth and elevate their capabilities. In January 2024, Salesforce signed an agreement with SharkNinja aimed at implementing Agentforce and other Salesforce products to enhance personalized customer service worldwide. This collaboration is expected to boost brand loyalty through dynamic interactions and innovative solutions. Furthermore, Salesforce launched two AI-driven innovations for retailers: Agentforce for retail and Retail Cloud with Modern POS. These tools are designed to improve productivity by managing various tasks like order processing, guided shopping, appointment bookings, and loyalty programs, eventually integrating online and offline shopping experiences into a seamless platform.
For the third quarter of 2025, Salesforce reported a remarkable total revenue increase of 8.3% year-over-year, reaching $9.44 billion. Non-GAAP income from operations surged by 14.9%, amounting to $3.12 billion, accompanied by a non-GAAP operating margin of 33.1%. Furthermore, Salesforce’s free cash flow grew by 30.2% year-over-year, culminating at $1.78 billion, while net income increased by 24.8% to reach $1.53 million. Non-GAAP net income per share also rose by 14.2% to $2.41, underscoring the company’s thriving financial health and operational efficiency. The consensus revenue estimate for Salesforce’s fiscal fourth quarter ending January 2025 is $10.04 billion, reflecting an 8.1% year-over-year increase and an EPS estimate of $2.61, indicating a 14.2% year-over-year growth.
Salesforce’s dynamic performance is further supported by a robust market showing, with shares surging 34.9% over the past six months and 29.4% over the past three months, closing at $341.70. The company boasts a promising future outlook, corroborated by its POWR Ratings with an overall grade of B, equating to a Buy. Salesforce receives a B grade for Sentiment and Quality, ranking 17th out of 127 in the Software – Application industry.
Accenture plc (ACN – Get Rating)
Dublin-based Accenture is a premier international professional services company, providing a spectrum of offerings including strategy and consulting, technology, operations, Industry X, and Accenture Song. Accenture’s persistent focus on key partnerships and strategic acquisitions has driven its sustained growth and technological advancements. In January 2024, the company signed a notable long-term agreement with Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, extending to March 2030, to spearhead AI-led business transformation, aimed at enhancing employee productivity and fostering innovation through AI-enabled digital assistants. Additionally, Accenture formed a joint venture with Telstra, focusing on accelerating Telstra’s data transformation efforts over seven years with groundbreaking AI innovations.
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 ending November 30, 2024, Accenture’s revenue climbed 9% year-over-year, totaling $17.68 billion. The company’s operating income ascended by 15%, reaching $2.95 billion, while net attributable income rose by 15.5%, culminating at $2.27 billion, with earnings per share soaring by 15.8% to $3.59. These results reflect Accenture’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth initiatives.
Looking ahead, analysts project Accenture’s revenue for the second quarter ending February 2025 to increase by 5.4% year-over-year, reaching $16.64 billion, with the EPS estimate for the same period reflecting modest growth at $2.79. Notably, Accenture has surpassed consensus EPS estimates in three of the past four quarters, a testament to its solid market position and effective execution. Over the past nine months, Accenture’s shares have risen by 27.9% and 16.9% over the past six months, closing the most recent trading session at $384.67. Accenture’s favorable POWR Ratings, with an overall B rating signifying a Buy, and grades of B for Momentum, Stability, Sentiment, and Quality further buttress its strong market performance. The company ranks third out of nine in the A-rated Outsourcing – Tech Services industry.
Teradata Corporation (TDC – Get Rating)
Teradata stands out with its connected multi-cloud data platform for enterprise analytics, concentrating on streamlining data and analytics through its flagship platform, Teradata Vantage. This platform is versatile, operating across on-premises, private, and public cloud environments. In December 2024, Teradata announced a bolstered collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), integrating with Amazon Bedrock to offer rapid-start Gen AI use cases. This partnership is set to enhance customer experiences, boost productivity, and streamline operations through over 60 Gen AI use cases across various sectors.
For the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, Teradata reported modest revenue growth year-over-year, totaling $440 million. Despite the slight rise in total revenue, the company experienced a notable increase in non-GAAP gross profit by 2.7% to $271 million. Teradata’s operating income demonstrated significant growth of 57.1% year-over-year, culminating at $99 million. Moreover, Teradata’s non-GAAP net income surged by 55.8%, equating to $67 million, with non-GAAP earnings per share increasing by 64.3% to $0.69. This strong financial performance highlights Teradata’s strategic focus on high-growth areas and effective cost management.
Looking forward, analysts project Teradata’s revenue for the fiscal year ending December 2024 to be $1.76 billion, with EPS expected to grow by 12.6% year-over-year to $2.33. For fiscal 2025, revenue is forecasted at $1.69 billion, with EPS projected at $2.46, depicting a 5.4% year-over-year improvement. Teradata shares have shown notable performance, gaining 4.7% over the past month, closing the most recent trading session at $32.47. Teradata’s positive outlook is reinforced by its stellar POWR Ratings, which assign it an overall A rating, translating to a Strong Buy, along with grades of A for Growth, Value, and Quality. Within the B-rated Technology – Services industry, Teradata holds the top position among 78 stocks.
Trends and Broader Perspectives
Big data has become an invaluable asset for modern businesses, creating a pressing need for advanced data analytics to stay competitive. Leading this field are Salesforce, Inc. (CRM), Accenture plc (ACN), and Teradata Corporation (TDC), offering sophisticated solutions that allow companies to process enormous datasets efficiently. These capabilities lead to better, data-driven decision-making, fostering strong demand and growth in data analytics stocks across various sectors.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology is a key factor in the success and growth of data analytics. AI and ML provide automated insights, trend predictions, and optimization with minimal human intervention. According to PwC’s Pulse survey, 73% of executives are focused on leveraging Generative AI (GenAI) to transform business models. By 2025, industries such as retail, healthcare, and financial services are expected to rely heavily on analytics for enhanced customer insights, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency. Statista projects the global public cloud market to reach $1.81 trillion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 18.5%. Additionally, the global IT services market is expected to grow from $1.51 trillion to $1.88 trillion by 2029, reflecting a CAGR of 5.6%.
