New York, Jan 5, 2026, 12:38 EST — Regular session
Intuit Inc. shares rose 0.9% to $634.97 on Monday, recovering from an early dip, after Jefferies analyst Brent Thill singled out the TurboTax and QuickBooks owner as one of his preferred large-cap software names for 2026. Thill told investors to “stay underweight” software — meaning hold less than a benchmark allocation — while making exceptions for a short list that included Intuit, according to MarketWatch. 1
The call matters now because Intuit is heading into its seasonally important consumer tax window, when TurboTax demand and pricing can swing sentiment quickly. Traders have also been watching whether software budgets and small-business spending stabilize after a choppy year for the sector.
Intuit has guided for fiscal second-quarter revenue growth of about 14% to 15% and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $3.63 to $3.68, with the quarter ending Jan. 31. The company’s outlook is a near-term yardstick for investors trying to separate steady compounders from slower-growth software names. 2
In November, Intuit said demand for its AI-powered financial products was supporting growth and disclosed a multi-year deal worth more than $100 million with OpenAI to incorporate its models into Intuit offerings. That partnership has helped keep the focus on whether product upgrades translate into measurable customer retention and higher revenue per user. 3
Technicians also point to a wide trading band: Intuit is roughly 22% below its 52-week high of $813.70 and about 19% above its 52-week low of $532.65, leaving the stock sensitive to shifts in growth expectations. The day’s range ran from $619.84 to $636.46. 4
Income-focused buyers have a near-term calendar marker as well. A November filing showed Intuit’s board approved a $1.20-per-share cash dividend, payable on Jan. 16 to shareholders of record on Jan. 9. 5
Marketing is another immediate watchpoint as filing season approaches. Intuit said TurboTax and Credit Karma will roll out a “Now This Is Taxes” campaign on Jan. 7, highlighting expert help and features aimed at maximizing refunds. 6
But the setup comes with familiar risks. If consumer filers trade down to cheaper options, or if Intuit has to spend more on promotions to defend market share, it could compress margins just as investors are looking for cleaner evidence of operating leverage.
Traders will watch early read-throughs from the Jan. 7 campaign and positioning into the Jan. 9 dividend record date, then turn to any company update on demand trends heading into the Jan. 31 quarter-end.
