ServiceNow (NOW) Q3 2026: The Demand Is Real, but the "Perfect Setup" Just Broke
@Coco made me do it:
The market wanted perfection. Despite a strong earnings beat, the stock fell 24% on earnings day. Why? Because after a 66% YTD run fueled by the AI narrative, expectations were flawless. The 24% drop isn't about demand collapsing. $ServiceNow(NOW)$ It's a brutal valuation reset triggered by decelerating cRPO guidance and accounting optics. The underlying business is firing on all cylinders: $5M+ net new ACV deals surged 135% YoY to 19 deals, and the annual AI ACV target was raised to $1.7B. But the stock is now paying the price for a compressed margin profile and a cautious Q4 guide. 1. Why the 24% Drop? The "Triple Whammy" of Optics If deals are surging, why did GAAP net income plummet 45% to $277M and GAAP subscription gross margin fall from 80%
