Shopify (SHOP) Draws Analyst Attention Amid Expanding Margins, Accelerating GMV, And Deeper Integration Of AI Across Its Platform
Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOP ), with significant hedge fund interest, ranks among the 10 best SaaS stocks to buy according to hedge funds . As of Q1 2026, 88 hedge funds held bullish positions in the stock, representing $4.38 billion in aggregate value. Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP)’
Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOP ), with significant hedge fund interest, ranks among the 10 best SaaS stocks to buy according to hedge funds . As of Q1 2026, 88 hedge funds held bullish positions in the stock, representing $4.38 billion in aggregate value.
Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP)’s latest earnings release, featuring expanding margins, accelerating GMV, and deeper integration of AI across its platform, drew attention from analysts.
On May 7, 2026, Citizens lowered its price target on Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP) to $150 from $160 while keeping an “Outperform” rating on the shares. The firm said Shopify delivered stronger-than-expected results with solid GMV growth, expanding operating margins, and slightly better-than-consensus revenue guidance. Citizens cited broad-based merchant strength, disciplined execution, and continued investment in AI and customer acquisition as supporting factors.
That note followed first-quarter earnings reported on May 5, 2026.
Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP) posted 34% revenue growth and a 15% free cash flow margin in the quarter. GMV topped $100 billion in the first quarter, with CFO Jeff Hoffmeister describing broad-based growth across geographies, merchant sizes, and channels. President Harley Finkelstein said Shopify has entered the AI era with what he called a clear edge, pointing to two decades of commerce intelligence as an advantage he expects to compound through 2026.
Looking ahead, Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP) guided for second-quarter revenue growth in the high-twenties percentage range year-over-year. The company expects gross profit dollars to grow at a mid-twenties rate, operating expenses as a percentage of revenue to be 35% to 36%, stock-based compensation of $145 million, and free cash flow margin in the mid-teens.
Several other analysts reiterated their bullish ratings on Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP).
Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP) provides an e-commerce SaaS platform that enables businesses to sell online and in person.
