ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE: NOW) heads into the weekend with investors still digesting one of the most turbulent stretches the enterprise software leader has seen this year: a fresh stock split, a confirmed AI acquisition closing, and intense market debate over whether a rumored $7 billion cybersecurity deal would be a smart strategic leap—or an expensive distraction.
As of Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, U.S. markets are closed. The most recent session (Friday, Dec. 19) ended with ServiceNow shares at $155.31, up 1.26% on the day, with trading volume jumping to roughly 25.1 million shares—far above recent averages. [1]
That modest Friday rebound followed a mid-December selloff tied primarily to reports that ServiceNow is in advanced talks to buy Armis, a fast-growing cybersecurity firm, in what would be the company’s largest acquisition ever. [2]
Below is a detailed, up-to-date look at the key headlines, analyst forecasts, earnings expectations, and the bull vs. bear case shaping the narrative around ServiceNow stock right now.
ServiceNow stock price today: Where NOW stands after a volatile week
Friday’s close at $155.31 capped a week defined less by day-to-day fluctuations and more by a rapid shift in investor sentiment around M&A and AI positioning. [3]
A few fast facts for context:
- 52-week range:$135.73 to $239.62 (split-adjusted) [4]
- Distance from 52-week high: roughly 35% below the peak (based on the high above and Friday’s close) [5]
- Market cap: about $161.12 billion (split-adjusted) [6]
- Forward P/E: about 40x (as shown by StockAnalysis’ forward multiple) [7]
The most dramatic move in the recent tape remains Monday, Dec. 15, when the stock’s split-adjusted close fell to about $153.04 after a steep one-day drop (historical prices are split-adjusted on StockAnalysis). [8]
The headline driving the debate: ServiceNow and a possible $7B Armis acquisition
The catalyst for the week’s volatility was reporting that ServiceNow is in advanced talks to buy Armis for a value that could reach $7 billion, though negotiations could still fall apart or another bidder could emerge. [9]
What Armis does—and why it fits (strategically)
Armis focuses on securing connected devices in real time—an increasingly urgent need as enterprises attempt to protect sprawling fleets of endpoints, IoT devices, and operational technology. Reuters notes that Armis:
- raised $435 million in November at a $6.1 billion valuation,
- was eyeing an IPO next year, and
- serves more than 40% of the Fortune 100. [10]
If ServiceNow ultimately announces and closes a deal, it would signal a deeper push into cybersecurity at a moment when identity, device visibility, and governance are becoming central to enterprise AI deployment.
Why investors reacted negatively
Even with clear strategic logic, the market’s reaction has been sharp. Reuters Breakingviews highlighted that ServiceNow lost about $19 billion of market value after the Armis news hit—underscoring how quickly investors can punish software incumbents when they sense uncertainty around AI disruption, growth durability, or big-ticket acquisitions. [11]
Other reporting has pointed to worries that a mega-deal could be interpreted as a sign ServiceNow needs inorganic growth to defend targets—especially as the “AI changes software economics” debate heats up. [12]
The broader backdrop: AI pressure on “classic SaaS” valuations
ServiceNow’s mid-December swings are also landing in a market environment where investors are actively repricing traditional software names under a new question: Will AI agents reduce the need for certain SaaS categories—or force pricing and business model changes?
Market commentary this week has repeatedly framed the tension as “cheap for a reason” versus “rare entry point,” particularly for established enterprise platforms. [13]
This matters for ServiceNow because its premium valuation historically rested on a powerful combination: high subscription mix, platform expansion across workflows, and strong enterprise retention. Now, investors are trying to decide whether AI extends that advantage—or commoditizes pieces of it.
ServiceNow’s acquisition streak: Moveworks closes, Veza deal announced
While Armis remains unconfirmed, ServiceNow’s deal engine is already active.
Moveworks acquisition: officially completed (Dec. 15)
On Dec. 15, 2025, ServiceNow announced it completed its acquisition of Moveworks, describing the combination as a way to build “the world’s most advanced AI platform for work” by pairing ServiceNow’s agentic AI and workflows with Moveworks’ front-end AI assistant, enterprise search, and reasoning engine. [14]
Earlier in the year, Reuters had described Moveworks as ServiceNow’s largest-ever acquisition—announced at $2.85 billion—and noted that the deal faced U.S. Justice Department regulatory review at the time. [15]
Veza: expanding into identity security for the “agentic AI” era (announced Dec. 2)
On Dec. 2, ServiceNow announced its intent to acquire Veza, positioning identity security as foundational for governing human, machine, and AI-agent permissions. [16]
In the release, ServiceNow President and CPO/COO Amit Zavery argued that continuous visibility into permissions is essential as “every identity—human, AI agent, or machine—” becomes a force multiplier in enterprise operations. Veza CEO Tarun Thakur emphasized giving organizations integrated control across identity types, including AI agents. [17]
ServiceNow said the Veza transaction remains subject to customary approvals and closing conditions. [18]
Why this matters for the stock: Taken together, Moveworks (front-end AI experience) and Veza (identity governance) suggest ServiceNow is building a broader “control plane” for AI-powered work—an argument bulls see as strengthening moat and monetization.
The 5-for-1 stock split: Why price targets suddenly look “wrong”
A major source of confusion in the last two weeks has been the stock split.
ServiceNow shareholders approved a 5-for-1 stock split, with split-adjusted trading expected to begin Dec. 18, 2025. Shareholders of record as of Dec. 16 were set to receive four additional shares for every one held, distributed after market close on or about Dec. 17. [19]
What that means in plain English
- The split does not change the business fundamentals by itself.
- It does change the per-share price and per-share metrics (including EPS), which means analysts must adjust models and targets.
A clear example: Stifel lowered its price target to $230 from $1,150 while maintaining a Buy rating, describing the move as a mathematical adjustment to reflect the new share count, not a change in the underlying thesis. [20]
Similarly, BTIG’s newly reported $1,000 target (issued right around the split timing) equates to about $200 split-adjusted. [21]
Analyst forecasts on Dec. 20, 2025: Price targets cluster around $223–$227
Despite the turbulence, broad Wall Street sentiment remains notably constructive—at least on consensus measures.
Here’s where major tracking services place the 12-month outlook:
- StockAnalysis: average target $223.29, consensus Strong Buy, range $155 to $260 [22]
- TipRanks: average target $227.08, consensus Strong Buy, range $155 to $263 [23]
- MarketBeat: average target $225.09, with the highest target shown at $263 [24]
At Friday’s close near $155, those averages imply a roughly mid-40% upside over the next year—though that number depends on execution, sentiment, and whether M&A headlines stabilize. [25]
Notable recent analyst actions and talking points
- KeyBanc downgrade: Barron’s reported KeyBanc downgraded ServiceNow to Underweight, warning that AI disruption could push ServiceNow into the emerging “Death of SaaS” narrative. [26]
- BTIG initiation: MarketBeat and other reporting noted BTIG initiated coverage with a Buy rating around the split period. [27]
- Street still “bullish” overall: Stifel’s note also emphasized that the broader analyst community remained bullish in its view, even as it adjusted targets and EPS for split math. [28]
The practical takeaway: the range of outcomes is widening—but the consensus view still assumes ServiceNow can re-accelerate confidence into 2026.
Earnings outlook: What analysts expect next and the key date to watch
With the market now split-adjusted, investors are shifting attention back to fundamentals—especially the next earnings report.
- Next earnings date (widely tracked):Jan. 28, 2026 (after close, per TipRanks and StockAnalysis trackers) [29]
- Near-term consensus expectations (Zacks via Nasdaq/Finviz): EPS about $4.35 and revenue about $3.52 billion for the upcoming report. [30]
The latest confirmed fundamental “anchor”
ServiceNow’s most recent major earnings update (Q3, reported Oct. 29) included a raised full-year subscription revenue outlook:
- Full-year subscription revenue forecast:$12.84B to $12.85B (raised from $12.78B–$12.80B) [31]
- Q3 subscription revenue:$3.30B, topping estimates cited by Reuters [32]
- Q3 total revenue:$3.41B, beating expectations [33]
- Q3 adjusted EPS:$4.82 per share [34]
These figures matter because they frame the core investment question: Can ServiceNow keep delivering premium growth and margins while absorbing major acquisitions and funding its AI roadmap?
Bull case vs. bear case for ServiceNow stock into 2026
The bull case: A platform “control tower” for enterprise AI
Optimists argue ServiceNow is doing exactly what an enterprise workflow leader should do in an AI transition:
- Buy capability, then monetize at scale. Moveworks strengthens the AI front door for employees; Veza adds identity governance so AI agents can act securely. [35]
- Lean into security as AI expands the attack surface. If Armis happens, it could extend ServiceNow’s footprint across unmanaged assets and device visibility—areas enterprises increasingly treat as board-level risk. [36]
- Consensus still expects upside. Multiple forecast aggregators continue to show Strong Buy-style consensus and targets in the mid-$220s split-adjusted. [37]
The bear case: “Death of SaaS” fears, plus M&A execution risk
Skeptics focus on three main threats:
- AI disrupts pricing power or product necessity. KeyBanc’s downgrade (as summarized by Barron’s) reflected concern that ServiceNow could be pulled into broader “SaaS model risk” as AI reduces labor needs and changes software buying behavior. [38]
- Big acquisition = big integration risk. Reuters explicitly cautioned the Armis talks could fall apart, but even if completed, investors worry about cost, integration, and whether it signals weaker organic momentum. [39]
- Sentiment can move faster than fundamentals. The market’s immediate $19B value hit after Armis headlines is a reminder that investors are currently hypersensitive to “AI winners vs. legacy workflows” narratives. [40]
What to watch next: The catalysts that could move NOW stock
As of Dec. 20, 2025, these are the biggest near-term swing factors investors are tracking:
- Any confirmation, denial, or update on Armis talks (or a different bidder emerging) [41]
- Regulatory progress and closing timeline for Veza (ServiceNow has said the deal is subject to approvals/conditions) [42]
- Early integration signals for Moveworks—especially how ServiceNow bundles AI assistants, search, and agentic workflows in enterprise deployments [43]
- Late-January earnings and guidance clarity—particularly around subscription growth, AI monetization, and margin trajectory [44]
- Valuation debate in software (cheap vs. value trap) as investors rotate between AI hardware and the “next leg” of AI software monetization [45]
Bottom line for Dec. 20, 2025
ServiceNow stock is ending the week stable on the day but unsettled in narrative: the company is executing on an aggressive AI and security roadmap (Moveworks closed; Veza announced), while the market is openly questioning whether a rumored $7B Armis deal would strengthen the platform—or stretch focus and capital at a sensitive moment for software valuations. [46]
Consensus forecasts still point to meaningful upside over the next 12 months, but the dispersion of viewpoints has widened—making upcoming catalysts, especially M&A clarity and late-January earnings, unusually important for the next leg in NOW stock. [47]
References
1. stockanalysis.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. stockanalysis.com, 4. stockanalysis.com, 5. stockanalysis.com, 6. stockanalysis.com, 7. stockanalysis.com, 8. stockanalysis.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.breakingviews.com, 12. www.marketwatch.com, 13. www.marketwatch.com, 14. newsroom.servicenow.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. newsroom.servicenow.com, 17. newsroom.servicenow.com, 18. newsroom.servicenow.com, 19. investor.servicenow.com, 20. www.investing.com, 21. www.gurufocus.com, 22. stockanalysis.com, 23. www.tipranks.com, 24. www.marketbeat.com, 25. stockanalysis.com, 26. www.barrons.com, 27. www.marketbeat.com, 28. www.investing.com, 29. stockanalysis.com, 30. www.nasdaq.com, 31. www.reuters.com, 32. www.reuters.com, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. www.reuters.com, 35. newsroom.servicenow.com, 36. www.reuters.com, 37. stockanalysis.com, 38. www.barrons.com, 39. www.reuters.com, 40. www.breakingviews.com, 41. www.reuters.com, 42. newsroom.servicenow.com, 43. newsroom.servicenow.com, 44. stockanalysis.com, 45. www.marketwatch.com, 46. newsroom.servicenow.com, 47. stockanalysis.com
