Freshworks Inc. (FRSH) shares plummeted 9.62% during intraday trading on Wednesday, extending significant pre-market losses.
The sharp decline was driven by the company's disappointing annual profit outlook. Freshworks forecast its 2026 adjusted profit to be in the range of 55 to 57 cents per share, which fell well below the Wall Street consensus estimate of 69 cents per share. Management attributed the weaker guidance to a higher tax rate and costs associated with its acquisition of FireHydrant.
In reaction to the forecast, several analysts swiftly downgraded their price targets on the stock, including cuts from UBS, Oppenheimer, Wells Fargo, and Baird. The announcement has also fanned broader investor concerns about potential disruption from artificial intelligence within the software industry.