Oppenheimer Sees Bullish Spending Trends for Enterprise Software Stocks (CALD, CRM, DWRE, LPSN, ORCL)

February 21, 2013 by Jon C. Ogg

We have heard it on Wall St., in Las Vegas, even in the movies: “show me the money.” There is a good reason why. Corporate spending is the fuel that drives profits, and strong profits drive higher stock prices. Oppenheimer recently surveyed 35 mostly domestic enterprise (about $2.6 billion in annual sales) chief information officers, vice presidents and managers with information technology (IT) purchase decision-making authority for their companies to gauge new SaaS/applications software spending trends and enterprise information technology priorities. Their interpretation of the results point to a very constructive spending environment.

The analysts at Oppenheimer believe their survey results show that bullish corporate spending intentions and top priorities for big data analytics and marketing technologies cannot be ignored. They suggest that a momentous wealth creation opportunity exists for the most innovative marketing software suppliers with a product suite vision. By crunching the data, and looking into the enterprise software universe, five stocks look to benefit from the increase in corporate spending.

California-based Callidus Software Inc. (NASDAQ: CALD) offers CallidusCloud Sales Selector solution, which delivers online video interviewing, assessment testing and social benchmarking. This could be a top percentage winner for investors. The Oppenheimer price target is $7, almost 50% higher than yesterday’s $4.75 close. The Thomson/First Call estimate is also at $7.

Customer relationship management leader Salesforce.com Inc (NYSE: CRM) makes the list and has a 12 to 18 month price target of $200. That is above the Wall St. consensus of $190.

Demandware Inc. (NYSE: DWRE) helps its customers build, manage and implement websites, mobile applications and digital storefronts. The Oppenheimer price target is $35. The consensus estimate is $36.

LivePerson Inc. (NASDAQ: LPSN) trades at the deepest discount to its rivals. By connecting business with customers through a variety of options, LivePerson is showing faster organic growth and profitability than its competition. The price target is $16. The consensus is higher at $16.50.

Industry giant Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) rounds out the top names. This software and hardware leader never seems to generate the respect it deserves on Wall St. and Oppenheimer agrees. Its price target is $37, while the consensus price target is $38.

One thing was clear in the Oppenheimer research report. Corporate America is utilizing every software advantage and advance to enhance, enlarge and engage customers. With current technology and trends moving at breakneck speeds, companies cannot be outspent by their competition and hope to succeed.

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