New York, Jan 26, 2026, 18:34 EST — After-hours
- Shares of ServiceNow climbed 2.4% in late trading, building on Monday’s upward move
- Ahead of ServiceNow’s results and outlook on Jan. 28, investors are adjusting their positions
- Tech stocks mostly edged higher ahead of a packed earnings slate and an upcoming Fed update
ServiceNow shares gained 2.4%, closing at $136.34 in after-hours trading Monday. During the session, the stock fluctuated between $133.18 and $136.61, with roughly 17.5 million shares traded.
Investors are gearing up for a hectic period for major tech and growth stocks, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy update on Wednesday and a batch of mega-cap earnings reports. “Communications and technology sectors are performing strongly today, anticipating earnings from several large firms,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management. 1
ServiceNow plans to report fourth-quarter results after markets close on Jan. 28. According to a Nasdaq.com note referencing Zacks Investment Research, consensus estimates peg revenue around $3.52 billion and earnings at 87 cents per share. The company’s subscription-revenue forecast sits between $3.42 billion and $3.43 billion, reflecting growth of 17.5% to 18% in constant currency, which excludes foreign-exchange effects. 2
ServiceNow remains fixated on subscription revenue, the recurring fees that drive most of its business. A slight beat in quarterly results often takes a backseat to the guidance it offers next.
Guidance is the key factor. Investors are focused on whether major clients continue expanding their seats and modules, or if deals are being delayed amid renewed scrutiny of tech budgets.
Some traders keep an eye on “remaining performance obligations,” or RPO, which measures the backlog of contracted revenue yet to be recognized. It’s not cash, but shifts in RPO can signal changes in demand—whether it’s picking up or slowing down.
AI chatter will grab attention, yet investors typically demand concrete numbers next. Software companies that link AI features to upgrades, renewals, and increased customer spending have seen swift rewards.
The competitive landscape is clear: enterprise software customers have the flexibility to move workloads across different platforms. Vendors that offer bundled tool suites can squeeze standalone providers when budgets tighten.
The clear downside lies in guidance that comes off cautious, despite a clean quarter. If subscription growth shows any signs of slowing or customers delay payments, the stock—already sensitive to shifts in tech sentiment—could take a hit.
ServiceNow reports its results and outlook after the bell on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Investors will be watching closely for guidance that could shape trading in the days ahead — and maybe beyond.
