BNP Paribas Starts Bentley Systems at Outperform with $40 Target
BNP Paribas initiated coverage of Bentley Systems with an Outperform rating and a $40 price target, citing the company's defensibility against AI competition and low software penetration in its core infrastructure markets.

BNP Paribas has initiated coverage of Bentley Systems (NASDAQ: BSY) with an Outperform rating and a $40 price target, signaling confidence in the infrastructure software company's growth prospects. Analyst Andrew DeGasperi highlighted the company's defensibility against the rise of frontier AI models, noting that low software penetration in Bentley's core markets of civil infrastructure, energy exploration, and resource mining provides a buffer against competition.
For traders, this bullish coverage underscores Bentley Systems as a potential defensive play within the tech sector, particularly as AI competition intensifies. The $40 price target implies significant upside from current levels, though the stock's performance will depend on execution in expanding software adoption across its niche markets. Investors can track live price movements and charts on NowPrice to monitor how the market reacts to this analyst upgrade.
Looking ahead, key catalysts include Bentley's upcoming earnings report and any updates on software adoption rates in its target industries. The company's ability to convert its low-penetration opportunity into revenue growth will be critical for achieving the price target. Additionally, broader trends in infrastructure spending and energy exploration could provide tailwinds for the stock.