This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Is Down Around 30% This Year. Could It Be a Steal of a Deal?

By David Jagielski, CPA – Mar 16, 2026 at 4:30PM ESTKey PointsUiPath recently reported earnings, which didn't appear to inspire analysts or investors.The company faces a lot of competition, and those concerns could be weighing down the stock.Investing in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks can be a huge opportunity for investors right now. AI stocks are down big of late, but they still possess a lot of upside in the long run, as the AI revolution is in its early innings. Finding a quality AI stock that is down and that has room to rise higher can potentially lead to some significant returns later on. One AI stock that might fit that criteria is UiPath (PATH 0.09%). Entering trading this week, it has declined by close to 30% since the start of 2026. Could this be one of the best and most underrated AI stocks to buy right now? Image source: Getty Images. Why are investors bearish on UiPath? UiPath is involved in robotic process automation and has an automation platform for its customers; it's the type of company that you might expect to be thriving amid an AI boom. Companies are investing heavily in automation and agentic AI, and UiPath's software should be in high demand. However, the results don't seem to support that excitement and optimism. The company recently wrapped up its year-end results, and for the year ending Jan. 31, its revenue totaled $1.6 billion, which was a 13% increase from the previous year. That doesn't exactly scream growth. The good news was that at least the company turned a profit of $282.3 million (versus a loss of $73.7 million a year ago). For investors, however, that may simply not be enough to prove it's going to be a winner in AI. ExpandNYSE: PATHUiPathToday's Change(-0.09%) $-0.01Current Price$11.57Key Data PointsMarket Cap$6.2BDay's Range$11.47 - $11.8852wk Range$9.38 - $19.84Volume39MAvg Vol34MGross Margin83.87% Is UiPath a good AI stock to buy today? Hype is one thing, but results are a whole other story. And unfortunately, UiPath hasn't been delivering the numbers needed to show that it's the real deal. The problem is that many businesses offer similar automation services, and if its growth rate isn't taking off, it may be indicative of the level of competition it faces in the market today. Analysts have also been lowering their price targets for the stock recently, as they haven't been impressed with UiPath's performance. The consensus analyst price target is just over $14, indicating a near-term upside of around 20% from where the stock is right now. But if its results continue to underwhelm, that price target could come down. Overall, there isn't a compelling case to invest in UiPath stock today. Although it's down big this year, it's for good reason, as the company's growth prospects are questionable. And ultimately, I think there are better growth stocks out there than UiPath.Read NextMar 16, 2026 •By Geoffrey SeilerIs It Time to Buy UiPath With the Stock Beaten Down?Mar 12, 2026 •By Josh Kohn-LindquistStock Market Today, March 12: UiPath Shares Drop After Slower Growth Outlook Offsets First Full-Year ProfitFeb 26, 2026 •By Eric TrieStock Market Today, Feb. 26: UiPath Advances as It Moves to Shape Agentic AI StandardsFeb 24, 2026 •By Leo Sun40% of Enterprise Apps Will Embed AI Agents by End of 2026, According to Gartner. Here's How to Profit.Feb 20, 2026 •By Catie HoganBattle Royale: Nebius vs. UiPath.

Only One Can Make You Rich.Feb 18, 2026 •By Leo SunCould This $11 Stock Be Your Ticket to Millionaire Status?About the AuthorDavid Jagielski, CPA, has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering healthcare, consumer staples, consumer discretionary, and technology stocks since 2017. David has more than 10 years of experience in finance roles across businesses of different sizes and sectors. He holds a Certified Public Accountant designation in Canada.TMFdjagielskiStocks MentionedUiPathNYSE: PATH$11.58(-0.04%)-$0.01*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.