Pegasystems Inc.NASDAQ: PEGA

Pega Cloud ACV Grows 20% in Q3 2026

· Issued by Pegasystems Inc. via Business Wire

Key figures

  • Cloud adoption continues to expand as Pega Cloud reaches 59% of total ACV in Q3
  • Total ACV grows 6% as reported and 7% in constant currency year over year

On 6ix: 6ix.com/news/pega-cloud-acv-grows-20percent-in-q3-2026-1

  • Cloud adoption continues to expand as Pega Cloud reaches 59% of total ACV in Q3
  • Total ACV grows 6% as reported and 7% in constant currency year over year
  • Company takes actions to accelerate growth and capitalize on AI market opportunity

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA), the enterprise AI software company for mission-critical work, released its financial results for the third quarter of 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261020404232/en/

Total ACV Growth chart for Pega's Q3 2026 earnings report.

Total ACV Growth chart for Pega's Q3 2026 earnings report.

"The AI market is still sorting itself out, but we’re confident in our long-term winning strategy to harness models like Claude, OpenAI GPT, and Gemini to help enterprises achieve predictable business outcomes at predictable costs while maintaining the governance, security, and control required for mission-critical operations,” said Alan Trefler, founder and CEO, Pega. "Our edge is decades of expertise in workflow automation and decisioning, enabling enterprises to scale AI with confidence, control, and economic efficiency.”

"While our ACV growth through the first three quarters of 2026 did not reflect the opportunity we see in the market, largely due to go-to-market execution challenges, our Q3 ACV add was the strongest of the year and reinforces our confidence in the demand for our solutions,” said Ken Stillwell, COO and CFO, Pega. “We are taking decisive actions to improve execution, accelerate growth, and keep us on track to deliver $700M or more of free cash flow in 2028.”

Financial and performance metrics (1)

Purchasing behaviors continue to evolve as clients subject large technology investments to greater scrutiny as AI disrupts the industry. As a result, our ACV growth rate significantly slowed during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, as compared to the same period last year. These factors may continue to adversely affect the ACV growth rate for the rest of the year.

Reconciliation of ACV and Constant Currency ACV

(in millions, except percentages)

September 30, 2025

September 30, 2026

1-Year Change

ACV

$

1,557

$

1,653

6

%

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

—

5

Constant currency ACV

$

1,557

$

1,658

7

%

Note: Constant currency ACV is calculated by applying the September 30, 2025 foreign exchange rates to current period shown.

 
(1) Refer to the schedules at the end of this release for additional information, including a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures.

Cash Flow

As a result of the factors discussed under ACV above, our cash flow generation may continue to be adversely affected for the rest of the year.

(Dollars in thousands,

except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2026

2025

Change

2026

2025

Change

Total revenue

$

393,359

$

381,350

3

%

$

1,244,048

$

1,241,495

—

%

Net income - GAAP

$

14,092

$

43,364

(68

)%

$

60,190

$

158,863

(62

)%

Net income - non-GAAP

$

59,750

$

55,164

8

%

$

202,351

$

245,857

(18

)%

Diluted earnings per share - GAAP

$

0.08

$

0.24

(67

)%

$

0.35

$

0.86

(59

)%

Diluted earnings per share - non-GAAP

$

0.35

$

0.30

17

%

$

1.17

$

1.34

(13

)%

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

2026

2025

Change

2026

2025

Change

 

Pega Cloud

$

218,925

56

%

$

184,549

48

%

$

34,376

19

%

$

637,890

51

%

$

502,415

40

%

$

135,475

27

%

Maintenance

72,653

18

%

79,649

21

%

(6,996

)

(9

)%

222,498

18

%

235,288

19

%

(12,790

)

(5

)%

Subscription services

291,578

74

%

264,198

69

%

27,380

10

%

860,388

69

%

737,703

59

%

122,685

17

%

Subscription license

55,578

14

%

60,758

16

%

(5,180

)

(9

)%

232,458

19

%

329,153

27

%

(96,695

)

(29

)%

Subscription

347,156

88

%

324,956

85

%

22,200

7

%

1,092,846

88

%

1,066,856

86

%

25,990

2

%

Consulting

46,203

12

%

56,394

15

%

(10,191

)

(18

)%

151,202

12

%

174,639

14

%

(23,437

)

(13

)%

Total revenue

$

393,359

100

%

$

381,350

100

%

$

12,009

3

%

$

1,244,048

100

%

$

1,241,495

100

%

$

2,553

—

%

Quarterly conference call

A conference call and audio-only webcast will be conducted at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Members of the public and investors are invited to join the call and participate in the question and answer session by dialing 1 (833) 461-5787 (domestic) or 1 (626) 884-3620 (international) and using Conference ID 591038520, or via https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/591038520 by logging onto www.pega.com at least five minutes prior to the event's broadcast and clicking on the webcast icon in the Investors section.

Discussion of non-GAAP financial measures

Our non-GAAP financial measures should only be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these measures help investors understand our core operating results and prospects, which is consistent with how management measures and forecasts our performance without the effect of often one-time charges and other items outside our normal operations. Management uses these measures to assess the performance of the company's operations and establish operational goals and incentives. They are not a substitute for financial measures prepared under U.S. GAAP. Refer to the schedules at the end of this release for additional information, including a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the growth and development of our business and market.

Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, will, could, should, estimates, may, targets, strategies, intends to, projects, positions, forecasts, guidance, likely, and usually or variations of such words and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements represent our views only as of the date the statement was made and are based on current expectations and assumptions.

Forward-looking statements deal with future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, but not limited to:

  • our future financial performance and business plans;
  • the adequacy of our liquidity and capital resources;
  • the successful execution of investments in artificial intelligence;
  • the timing of revenue recognition;
  • variation in demand for our products and services;
  • reliance on key personnel;
  • potential legal and financial liabilities, as well as damage to our reputation, due to cyber-attacks;
  • security breaches and security flaws;
  • our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, costs associated with defending such rights, intellectual property rights claims, and other related claims by third parties against us, including related costs, damages, and other relief that may be granted against us;
  • our ongoing litigation with Appian Corp. and associated legal proceedings;
  • our client retention rate; and
  • management of our growth.

These risks and others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements are described further in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other filings we make with the SEC.

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, and there are no assurances that the results included in such statements will be achieved. Although subsequent events may cause our view to change, except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake and expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of October 20, 2026.

About Pegasystems

Pega delivers the platform to reimagine, run, and evolve the processes and decisions an enterprise can't afford to get wrong. We combine AI with proven architecture to keep mission-critical operations governed, scalable, and continuously adaptable. Since 1983, the world's largest organizations have trusted Pega to turn transformation ambition into durable results. Learn more at www.pega.com.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

PEGASYSTEMS INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Revenue

Subscription services

$

291,578

$

264,198

$

860,388

$

737,703

Subscription license

55,578

60,758

232,458

329,153

Consulting

46,203

56,394

151,202

174,639

Total revenue

393,359

381,350

1,244,048

1,241,495

Cost of revenue

Subscription services

54,490

42,978

157,880

122,616

Subscription license

268

314

1,006

1,066

Consulting

49,088

62,601

159,743

194,235

Total cost of revenue

103,846

105,893

318,629

317,917

Gross profit

289,513

275,457

925,419

923,578

Operating expenses

Selling and marketing

143,754

140,129

464,765

425,329

Research and development

74,311

78,756

240,526

231,826

General and administrative

38,612

42,108

130,925

107,724

Litigation settlement

16,000

—

16,000

—

Restructuring

1,975

(5

)

4,557

(38

)

Total operating expenses

274,652

260,988

856,773

764,841

Income from operations

14,861

14,469

68,646

158,737

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

589

7,154

1,075

(12,179

)

Interest income

1,814

2,660

7,268

11,243

Interest expense

(64

)

(144

)

(153

)

(1,172

)

(Loss) on capped call transactions

—

—

—

(223

)

Other income (loss), net

578

(43

)

(840

)

19,247

Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

17,778

24,096

75,996

175,653

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

3,686

(19,268

)

15,806

16,790

Net income

$

14,092

$

43,364

$

60,190

$

158,863

Earnings per share

Basic

$

0.09

$

0.25

$

0.36

$

0.93

Diluted

$

0.08

$

0.24

$

0.35

$

0.86

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

Basic

163,757

170,567

166,043

171,045

Diluted

168,642

184,095

173,064

185,005

PEGASYSTEMS INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)

September 30, 2026

December 31, 2025

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

202,190

$

212,447

Marketable securities

107,521

213,352

Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities

309,711

425,799

Accounts receivable, net

130,121

264,713

Unbilled receivables, net

151,240

166,478

Other current assets

112,807

121,305

Total current assets

703,879

978,295

Long-term unbilled receivables, net

79,355

102,544

Goodwill

81,270

81,506

Long-term deferred income taxes

172,493

175,472

Other long-term assets

293,296

294,027

Total assets

$

1,330,293

$

1,631,844

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

57,619

$

12,924

Accrued expenses

77,067

44,847

Accrued compensation and related expenses

91,609

148,797

Deferred revenue

429,469

509,275

Other current liabilities

23,231

21,935

Total current liabilities

678,995

737,778

Long-term operating lease liabilities

54,643

60,825

Other long-term liabilities

47,594

45,860

Total liabilities

781,232

844,463

Total stockholders’ equity

549,061

787,381

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

1,330,293

$

1,631,844

PEGASYSTEMS INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2026

2025

Net income

$

60,190

$

158,863

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities

Non-cash items

179,196

182,243

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net

64,913

5,690

Cash provided by operating activities

304,299

346,796

Cash provided by investing activities

89,038

214,897

Cash (used in) financing activities

(402,070

)

(756,391

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(2,590

)

6,971

Net (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(11,323

)

(187,727

)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period

216,360

341,529

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period

$

205,037

$

153,802

PEGASYSTEMS INC. RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED GAAP AND NON-GAAP MEASURES (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2026

2025

Change

2026

2025

Change

Net income - GAAP

$

14,092

$

43,364

(68

)%

$

60,190

$

158,863

(62

)%

Stock-based compensation (1)

28,679

43,041

110,720

121,196

Legal fees

13,272

10,024

51,186

22,977

Litigation settlement

16,000

—

16,000

—

Amortization of intangible assets

238

627

1,258

2,003

Restructuring

1,975

(5

)

4,557

(38

)

Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss

(589

)

(7,154

)

(1,075

)

12,179

Interest on convertible senior notes

—

—

—

394

Capped call transactions

—

—

—

223

Other

(750

)

94

783

(19,386

)

Income taxes (2)

(13,167

)

(34,827

)

(41,268

)

(52,554

)

Net income - non-GAAP

$

59,750

$

55,164

8

%

$

202,351

$

245,857

(18

)%

Diluted earnings per share - GAAP

$

0.08

$

0.24

(67

)%

$

0.35

$

0.86

(59

)%

non-GAAP adjustments

0.27

0.06

0.82

0.48

Diluted earnings per share - non-GAAP

$

0.35

$

0.30

17

%

$

1.17

$

1.34

(13

)%

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - GAAP

168,642

184,095

(8

)%

173,064

185,005

(6

)%

Capped call transactions

—

—

—

(1,599

)

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - non-GAAP

168,642

184,095

(8

)%

173,064

183,406

(6

)%

Our non-GAAP financial measures reflect the following adjustments:

  • Stock-based compensation: We have excluded stock-based compensation from our non-GAAP operating expenses and profitability measures. Although stock-based compensation is a key incentive offered to our employees, and we believe such compensation contributed to our revenues recognized during the periods presented and is expected to contribute to our future revenues, we continue to evaluate our business performance, excluding stock-based compensation.
  • Legal fees: Legal and related fees arising from proceedings outside the ordinary course of business. We believe excluding these amounts from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors as the types of events giving rise to them are not representative of our core business operations and ongoing operational performance.
  • Litigation settlement: Cost to settle litigation arising from proceedings outside the ordinary course of business. See “Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies” in Item 1 of our Quarterly Report filing on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2026 and prior filings for further information. We believe excluding these amounts from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors as the types of events giving rise to them are not representative of our core business operations and ongoing operational performance.
  • Amortization of intangible assets: We have excluded the amortization of intangible assets from our non-GAAP operating expenses and profitability measures. Amortization of intangible assets fluctuates in amount and frequency and is significantly affected by the timing and size of acquisitions. Investors should note that intangible assets contributed to our revenues recognized during the periods presented and are expected to contribute to future revenues. Amortization of intangible assets is likely to recur in future periods. We believe excluding these amounts provides a useful comparison of our operational performance in different periods.
  • Restructuring: We have excluded restructuring from our non-GAAP financial measures. Restructuring fluctuates in amount and frequency and is significantly affected by the timing and size of our restructuring activities. We believe excluding these amounts from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors as these amounts are not representative of our core business operations and ongoing operational performance.
  • Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss: We have excluded foreign currency transaction gains and losses from our non-GAAP profitability measures. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses fluctuate in amount and frequency and are significantly affected by foreign exchange market rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are likely to recur in future periods. We believe excluding these amounts provides a useful comparison of our operational performance in different periods.
  • Interest on convertible senior notes: In February 2020, we issued convertible senior notes (the “Notes”), due March 1, 2025, in a private placement. The Notes accrued interest at an annual rate of 0.75%, paid semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1. The outstanding Notes were repaid in their entirety at maturity. We believe that excluding the amortization of issuance costs provides a useful comparison of our operational performance in different periods.
  • Capped call transactions: We have excluded gains and losses related to our capped call transactions held at fair value under U.S. GAAP. The capped call transactions were expected to reduce common stock dilution and/or offset any potential cash payments we must make, other than for principal and interest, upon conversion of the Notes. We believe excluding these amounts from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors as the types of events giving rise to them are not representative of our core business operations and ongoing operational performance.
  • Other: We have excluded gains and losses from our venture investments and other one-time, non-operating items. We believe excluding these amounts from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors as the types of events giving rise to them are not representative of our core business operations and ongoing operational performance.
  • Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
    • Capped call transactions: In periods of GAAP net income, the shares calculated by applying the if-converted method related to our Notes are included in the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding if they are dilutive. The capped call transactions were expected to reduce common stock dilution and/or offset any potential cash payments we must make, other than for principal and interest, upon conversion of the Notes. We believe that including the expected impact of the capped call transactions in our non-GAAP financial measures provides a useful comparison of our operational performance in different periods.

(1) Stock-based compensation:

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

(Dollars in thousands)

2026

2025

2026

2025

Cost of revenue

$

6,124

$

6,626

$

20,751

$

21,737

Selling and marketing

9,499

15,009

42,509

45,168

Research and development

6,010

7,914

23,972

23,789

General and administrative

7,046

13,492

23,488

30,502

$

28,679

$

43,041

$

110,720

$

121,196

Income tax benefit

$

(5,466

)

$

(547

)

$

(21,720

)

$

(1,700

)

(2) Effective income tax rates:

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2026

2025

GAAP

21

%

10

%

non-GAAP

22

%

22

%

Our GAAP effective income tax rate is subject to significant fluctuations due to several factors, including our stock-based compensation plans, research and development tax credits, and the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets in the U.S. and U.K. We determine our non-GAAP income tax rate using applicable rates in taxing jurisdictions and assessing certain factors, including historical and forecasted earnings by jurisdiction, discrete items, and ability to realize tax assets. We believe it is beneficial for our management to review our non-GAAP results consistent with our annual plan’s effective income tax rate as established at the beginning of each year, given tax rate volatility.

PEGASYSTEMS INC. RECONCILIATION OF FREE CASH FLOW (1) AND OTHER METRICS (in thousands, except percentages)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

Change

2026

2025

Cash provided by operating activities

$

304,299

346,796

(12

)%

Investment in property and equipment

(14,474

)

(8,485

)

Free cash flow (1)

$

289,825

$

338,311

(14

)%

Supplemental information (2)

Litigation settlement

$

9,750

$

—

Legal fees

32,864

15,022

Restructuring

15,442

1,681

Interest paid on convertible senior notes

—

1,754

Other

(689

)

—

Income taxes, net of refunds

22,609

7,993

$

79,976

$

26,450

(1) Our non-GAAP free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less investment in property and equipment. Investment in property and equipment fluctuates in amount and frequency and is significantly affected by the timing and size of investments in our facilities and equipment. We provide information on free cash flow to enable investors to assess our ability to generate cash without incurring additional external financings. This information is not a substitute for financial measures prepared under U.S. GAAP.

(2) The supplemental information below identifies certain items included in operating cash flow that may affect comparability between periods.

  • Litigation settlement: Cost to settle litigation arising from proceedings outside the ordinary course of business. See “Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies” in Item 1 of our Quarterly Report filing on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2026 and prior filings for further information.
  • Legal fees: Legal and related fees arising from proceedings outside the ordinary course of business.
  • Restructuring: Restructuring fluctuates in amount and frequency and is significantly affected by the timing and size of our restructuring activities.
  • Interest paid on convertible senior notes: In February 2020, we issued the Notes, due March 1, 2025, in a private placement. The Notes accrued interest at an annual rate of 0.75%, paid semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1. The outstanding Notes were repaid in their entirety at maturity.
  • Other: One-time cash flow items not part of our ongoing operations.
  • Income taxes, net of refunds: Direct income taxes paid net of refunds received.

PEGASYSTEMS INC. ANNUAL CONTRACT VALUE (in thousands, except percentages)

 

Annual contract value (“ACV”) - ACV represents the annualized value of our active contracts as of the measurement date. The contract's total value is divided by its duration in years to calculate ACV. ACV is a performance measure that we believe provides useful information to our management and investors.

September 30, 2026

September 30, 2025

Change

Constant Currency Change

Pega Cloud

$

975,991

$

815,370

$

160,621

20

%

20

%

Maintenance

261,321

296,955

(35,634

)

(12

)%

(12

)%

Subscription services

1,237,312

1,112,325

124,987

11

%

12

%

Subscription license

415,997

444,601

(28,604

)

(6

)%

(6

)%

$

1,653,309

$

1,556,926

$

96,383

6

%

7

%

PEGASYSTEMS INC. BACKLOG (in thousands, except percentages)

Remaining performance obligations (“Backlog”) - Expected future revenue from existing non-cancellable contracts:As of September 30, 2026:

Subscription services

Subscription license

Consulting

Total

Pega Cloud

Maintenance

1 year or less

$

730,041

$

180,906

$

32,317

$

42,205

$

985,469

49

%

1-2 years

416,308

85,371

1,476

1,463

504,618

25

%

2-3 years

233,510

46,416

7,348

574

287,848

14

%

Greater than 3 years

216,977

12,544

945

963

231,429

12

%

$

1,596,836

$

325,237

$

42,086

$

45,205

$

2,009,364

100

%

% of Total

80

%

16

%

2

%

2

%

100

%

Change since September 30, 2025

 

$

308,127

$

(35,197

)

$

(16,670

)

$

(1,422

)

$

254,838

24

%

(10

)%

(28

)%

(3

)%

15

%

 As of September 30, 2025:

Subscription services

Subscription license

Consulting

Total

Pega Cloud

Maintenance

1 year or less

$

609,511

$

199,651

$

46,386

$

43,979

$

899,527

51

%

1-2 years

319,940

71,730

4,404

2,478

398,552

23

%

2-3 years

164,125

48,668

746

114

213,653

12

%

Greater than 3 years

195,133

40,385

7,220

56

242,794

14

%

$

1,288,709

$

360,434

$

58,756

$

46,627

$

1,754,526

100

%

% of Total

73

%

21

%

3

%

3

%

100

%

PEGASYSTEMS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP BACKLOG AND CONSTANT CURRENCY BACKLOG (in millions, except percentages)

September 30, 2025

September 30, 2026

1 Year Growth Rate

Backlog - GAAP

$

1,755

$

2,009

15

%

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

—

10

Constant currency backlog

$

1,755

$

2,019

15

%

Note: Constant currency backlog is calculated by applying the September 30, 2025 foreign exchange rates to current period shown.

Press contact: Ilena Ryan Director of PR ilena.ryan@pega.com 617-866-6722

Investor contact: Peter Welburn VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations PegaInvestorRelations@pega.com 617-498-8968

Source: Pegasystems Inc.

View original source (Business Wire)Pegasystems Inc. on 6ix

In the deck

Earlier from Pegasystems

Later from Pegasystems

All Pegasystems news releases