Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence through daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, serving as complementary indicators to the Zacks Rank [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperforming the market [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score identifies optimal times to invest based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for selecting stocks with attractive value, growth potential, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal success [10] - Stocks with lower ranks, even with high Style Scores, may still face downward price trends [11] Company Spotlight: Fortinet (FTNT) - Fortinet, a network security solutions provider, holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B [12] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 5.9% over the past four weeks [12] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have led to a consensus estimate increase of $0.03 to $2.47 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 23.8% [13]

Company Overview - Fortinet has a strong leadership team with John Whittle serving as Chief Operating Officer and Christiane Ohlgart as Chief Accounting Officer, who is transitioning to Chief Financial Officer [2][5] - John Whittle has been with Fortinet for 19 years, joining the company in 2006, and has played a significant role in supporting the growth of the business [5] Sales Leadership and Culture - The company emphasizes a disciplined approach to growth, which has contributed to its successful track record [5] - Fortinet's sales leadership and culture have evolved positively over the years, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainable business practices [5]

Fortinet (FTNT) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Fortinet (FTNT) - **Industry**: Cybersecurity Software - **Date of Conference**: May 13, 2025 Key Points Industry Dynamics - There is a significant increase in cybersecurity threats, driven by factors such as AI, nation-state activities, and organized crime, creating a strong demand for Fortinet's solutions [6][8][9] - The market is experiencing a refresh cycle as many customers are expected to upgrade their firewalls due to end-of-support deadlines by the end of 2026 [37][38] Company Strategy and Performance - Fortinet has transitioned from a firewall-only company to a provider of a broad solution set, including secure networking, SASE, and SecOps [7][9] - The company is currently the leader in deployed firewalls, SD WAN, and OT security, with aspirations to lead in SASE as well [8][9] - Fortinet's sales leadership is confident, with a strong focus on execution and market share growth [17][24] Sales Leadership and Management Changes - The sales leadership team has undergone changes, with three leaders now providing input into the company's outlook, which has led to a more diversified perspective on market conditions [12][15] - The company is cautious in its guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties, despite strong execution confidence [16][17][47] Financial Outlook - Fortinet's guidance for Q2 reflects a conservative approach due to uncertainties in the macro environment, despite a strong Q1 performance [16][42][47] - The company anticipates a 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the midterm, but current year guidance is more conservative due to economic conditions [42][44] Product Development and Innovation - Fortinet emphasizes organic growth over acquisitions, leveraging its R&D capabilities and a strong engineering team to innovate quickly [24][27] - The company is investing in AI for both internal efficiencies and product enhancements, with applications in threat intelligence and customer support [30][35][36] SASE and SD WAN Transition - The transition from SD WAN to SASE is a significant focus, with a strong upsell strategy in place [50][53] - Fortinet has partnered with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to enhance its network availability, which has positively impacted demand [58][61] Operational Technology (OT) Security - OT security is a growing segment for Fortinet, with rugged devices designed for harsh environments contributing to growth [65][66] - The convergence of IT and OT is driving demand for Fortinet's solutions as companies seek to secure their operational environments [66][67] Maintenance Revenue and Churn - There was a noted decline in maintenance revenue, attributed to various factors including churn from Lacework customers and fewer billing days in Q1 [70][71] - The company is optimistic about reducing churn and improving customer retention moving forward [72] Additional Insights - Fortinet's entrepreneurial culture and founder-led approach are seen as competitive advantages, allowing for rapid response to market changes [24][25] - The company is focused on building solutions that work seamlessly together, avoiding the pitfalls of competitors who have struggled with integration post-acquisition [26][27] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the Fortinet FY Conference, highlighting the company's position in the cybersecurity industry and its proactive approach to market challenges and opportunities.

Core Insights - Fortinet's international operations are crucial for assessing its financial strength and growth potential, especially in a global economy [2][3] - The company's total revenue for the quarter ending March 2025 was $1.54 billion, reflecting a 13.8% increase [4] International Revenue Breakdown - Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) contributed 40.81% of total revenue, amounting to $628.4 million, exceeding Wall Street's expectations by 4.72% [5] - Asia Pacific and Japan generated $281.5 million, representing 18.28% of total revenue, which was 8.7% below analyst projections [6] Future Revenue Forecasts - Analysts project total revenue for the current fiscal quarter to reach $1.62 billion, a 13% increase year-over-year, with EMEA expected to contribute $642.31 million and Asia Pacific and Japan $317.79 million [7] - For the full year, total revenue is anticipated to be $6.75 billion, marking a 13.4% increase, with EMEA and Asia Pacific and Japan projected to contribute $2.68 billion and $1.32 billion, respectively [8] Market Dependency and Trends - Fortinet's reliance on global markets for revenue presents both opportunities and risks, making the monitoring of international revenue trends essential for predicting future performance [9] - Analysts are closely observing these trends, particularly in light of increasing global interconnections and geopolitical uncertainties [10]

Revenue Growth - Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $1.54 billion, a 14% increase from $1.35 billion in the same period last year[117]. - Product revenue reached $459.1 million, up 12% from $408.9 million year-over-year, driven by growth in hardware and software licenses[117][119]. - Service revenue was $1.08 billion, reflecting a 14% increase compared to $944.4 million in the same period last year, primarily due to a 16% growth in security subscription revenue[117][120]. - Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $1,539.7 million, an increase of $186.4 million, or 14%, compared to $1,353.3 million in the same period last year[139]. - Product revenue increased by $50.2 million, or 12%, to $459.1 million, while service revenue rose by $136.2 million, or 14%, to $1,080.6 million during the same period[140]. - Billings (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $1,597.2 million, a 14% increase from $1,407.2 million in the same period last year[133]. Profitability - Total gross profit was $1.25 billion, a 19% increase from $1.05 billion year-over-year, with a gross margin of 81.0%, up 3.5 percentage points from 77.5%[117]. - Operating income was $453.8 million, reflecting a 41% increase from $321.2 million in the same period last year[125]. - Operating margin improved to 29.5%, an increase of 5.8 percentage points compared to 23.7% in the same period last year[125]. - Total gross margin improved by 3.5 percentage points to 81.0%, driven by a 12.0 percentage point increase in product gross margin[143][144]. - Operating income increased by $132.6 million, or 41%, to $453.8 million, with an operating margin of 29.5%[150]. Expenses and Investments - Research and development expenses rose by $25.6 million, or 15%, primarily due to increased personnel-related costs[147]. - Sales and marketing expenses increased by $41.6 million, or 8%, driven by higher personnel-related costs and marketing program expenses[148]. - The company expects operating margin to decrease for the full year of 2025 compared to 2024 due to increased investments in sales, marketing, and R&D[124]. - The company expects capital expenditures to be between approximately $380.0 million and $430.0 million in 2025 to support growth and expansion[159]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $4.82 billion as of March 31, 2025[125]. - Cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $863.3 million, driven by improved profitability and effective working capital management[171]. - Cash used in investing activities during the same period was $110.8 million, primarily for property and equipment purchases totaling $66.5 million[173]. - Cash used in financing activities was $32.7 million, mainly for tax withholding related to equity awards[174]. - The company believes its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient for at least the next 12 months to meet working capital and capital expenditure requirements[168]. Deferred Revenue and Inventory - Deferred revenue reached $6.42 billion, an increase of $57.5 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2024[132]. - As of March 31, 2025, inventory purchase commitments totaled $689.0 million, an increase of $97.9 million from $591.1 million as of December 31, 2024[163]. - The liability for inventory purchase commitments was $47.5 million as of March 31, 2025, down from $54.0 million as of December 31, 2024[163]. Market and Geographic Performance - The Americas and Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions each contributed 41% of total revenue, while the Asia Pacific region contributed 18%, with respective year-over-year increases of 13%, 16%, and 10%[118]. - Approximately 50% of billings during the three months ended March 31, 2025, came from eight countries, with the remaining 50% from over 100 countries, each contributing less than 3% individually[121]. Innovation and Patents - As of March 31, 2025, the company held 1,045 U.S. patents and 1,381 global patents, including 271 related to AI[107]. - Fortinet's integrated platform, the Fortinet Security Fabric, spans secure networking, unified SASE, and AI-driven security operations, positioning the company as a leader in cybersecurity[107]. Other Financial Metrics - Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $782.8 million, up from $608.5 million in the same period last year[136]. - Interest income increased by $12.1 million, or 38%, to $44.3 million, primarily due to higher investment balances[151][152]. - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $3.6 billion, up from $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2024[156]. - Changes in operating assets and liabilities included a decrease of $303.9 million in accounts receivable-net during the three months ended March 31, 2025[171]. - There were no material changes in market risk during the three months ended March 31, 2025[175].

Core Insights - Fortinet Inc. reported strong first-quarter 2025 results, with both earnings and revenues exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year improvement [1][2]. Financial Performance - Non-GAAP EPS for Q1 2025 was 58 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.43%, and up 34.9% from 43 cents in the same quarter last year [1]. - Total revenues reached $1.54 billion, surpassing the consensus mark by 0.21% and reflecting a 13.8% year-over-year increase, driven by growth in services and product revenues [2]. - Product revenues increased by 12.3% year over year to $459.1 million, with notable growth in both hardware and software solutions [3]. - Service revenues grew 14.4% year over year to $1.08 billion, accounting for 70% of total revenues, with security subscriptions rising 16% [4]. Growth Metrics - Fortinet added over 6,300 new logos in Q1, supported by investments in channel partners [2]. - Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) grew 12% to $6.5 billion, while total billings rose 14% to $1.6 billion, driven by growth in AI-driven SecOps and Unified SASE [2]. - AI-driven Security Operations billings increased by 29%, representing 10% of Fortinet's business [5]. Margins and Efficiency - Total gross margin increased by 380 basis points to 81.9%, exceeding the high end of the guided range by 90 basis points [6]. - Operating margin reached a record 34.2%, up 570 basis points, reflecting strong gross margins and cost efficiencies [7]. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet - Fortinet ended Q1 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $4.78 billion, an increase from $4 billion at the end of Q4 2024 [8]. - Cash flow from operations was $863.3 million, compared to $830.4 million in Q1 2024, while free cash flow rose to $782.8 million from $608.5 million [9]. Guidance - For Q2 2025, Fortinet estimates revenues between $1.59 billion and $1.65 billion, with billings expected between $1.685 billion and $1.765 billion [10]. - For the full year 2025, revenues are projected between $6.65 billion and $6.85 billion, with services revenues expected between $4.575 billion and $4.725 billion [11].

Core Insights - Fortinet reported $1.54 billion in revenue for Q1 2025, a year-over-year increase of 13.8% and an EPS of $0.58 compared to $0.43 a year ago, exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimates for both revenue and EPS [1][3] Financial Performance - Total billings (Non-GAAP) reached $1.60 billion, surpassing the 10-analyst average estimate of $1.57 billion [4] - Total deferred revenue was $6.42 billion, slightly above the six-analyst average estimate of $6.39 billion [4] - Geographic revenue breakdown: - Total Americas: $629.80 million, a year-over-year change of +13.1%, compared to the $635.09 million average estimate [4] - Asia Pacific and Japan: $281.50 million, a year-over-year change of +9.6%, below the $308.33 million average estimate [4] - Europe, Middle East, and Africa: $628.40 million, a year-over-year change of +16.5%, exceeding the $600.09 million average estimate [4] - Revenue from products was $459.10 million, a +12.3% change year-over-year, above the $443.39 million estimated by 14 analysts [4] - Revenue from services was $1.08 billion, a +14.4% change year-over-year, slightly below the $1.09 billion average estimate [4] Profitability Metrics - Gross profit from products (Non-GAAP) was $311 million, exceeding the $279.69 million estimated by 10 analysts [4] - Gross profit from services (Non-GAAP) was $949.30 million, slightly below the $958.33 million average estimate [4] - Overall gross profit from products was $309.20 million, above the $274.11 million average estimate [4] - Overall gross profit from services was $937.40 million, below the $956.03 million average estimate [4] Stock Performance - Fortinet shares returned +21.5% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +10.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

分组1 - Fortinet reported quarterly earnings of $0.58 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.53 per share, and up from $0.43 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 9.43% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $1.54 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.21%, and an increase from $1.35 billion year-over-year [2] - Fortinet has consistently surpassed consensus EPS and revenue estimates over the last four quarters [2] 分组2 - The stock has increased approximately 13.4% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of -4.7% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.58 on revenues of $1.62 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.44 on revenues of $6.74 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the Security industry is currently in the bottom 31% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact stock performance [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue growth of 14%, reaching $1,540,000,000, with product revenue increasing by 12% to $459,000,000 [14][15] - Total billings grew 14% to $1,600,000,000, driven by 18% growth in unified SaaS and 29% growth in AI-driven SecOps [14][15] - The operating margin reached a record 34%, exceeding the high end of guidance by 320 basis points [17][31] - Free cash flow was a record $783,000,000, representing a margin of 51% [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unified SaaS billing growth was 18%, accounting for 25% of total business, while secure operations and unified SaaS saw strong growth with security service edge billing growth over 110% [7][14] - Security subscriptions revenue increased by 16%, while support and related service revenues grew by 12% [15][16] - AI-driven security operations accounted for 10% of the business, with a 29% increase in revenue [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMEA was the best-performing geography with mid-teens growth, particularly in financial services and government sectors, which grew over 20% [24][25][101] - The number of new logos increased by 14% to over 6,300, driven by investments in channel partners [14][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become the number one player in the SASE market, leveraging its strong SASE strategy and unified operating system [19][20] - Continued investment in AI capabilities is expected to drive growth, with over 500 issued and pending AI patents [10] - The company is focusing on expanding its offerings in OT security and AI as key growth drivers over the next five years [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong demand for cybersecurity solutions despite geopolitical uncertainties, with a growing pipeline and robust close rates [26][27] - The company is maintaining its full-year guidance to account for potential top-line risks associated with the evolving geopolitical environment [29][31] - The management noted that the firewall upgrade cycle is expected to gain momentum in the second half of 2025 [30] Other Important Information - The company announced a transition in CFO roles, with Keith Jensen stepping down and Christiana Ohlgart taking over [3][4] - The company has not seen significant impacts from U.S. tariffs in Q1 and does not expect meaningful impacts in Q2 [27][73] Q&A Session Summary Question: Dynamics behind maintenance and services revenue - Management explained that the slight decline was affected by Q4 having two more days than Q1, impacting daily revenue rates [38][39] Question: Guidance for the next quarter - Management indicated that while there is good momentum, they are being cautious due to geopolitical uncertainties [46][47] Question: Customer hesitancy in purchasing - Management noted that while there is hesitancy, they have not seen delays yet, and positive feedback from channel activities is expected to resolve this [54][55] Question: Large transactions and their drivers - Management confirmed that large transactions are primarily driven by SD WAN deployments, with customers buying additional solutions [67] Question: Impact of tariffs on margins - Management stated that they do not expect significant impacts from tariffs in Q1 or Q2, as only a few products are subject to tariffs [73][75] Question: Changes in channel partner behavior ahead of tariffs - Management reported no specific acceleration of deals due to tariffs, although there were inquiries about potential price increases [77][79] Question: Upcoming refresh cycle assumptions - Management indicated that smaller customers are buying more, while larger customers' strategies vary based on consolidation or upgrading [119][120]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fortinet reported a revenue growth of 14% year-over-year, reaching $1,540,000,000 in Q1 2025, with product revenue increasing by 12% to $459,000,000 [12][14] - The operating margin reached a record 34%, reflecting strong gross margins and cost efficiencies [16][30] - Free cash flow was a record $783,000,000, with a margin of 51%, up six points from the previous year [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unified SaaS billing grew by 18%, driven by a 110% increase in security service edge billing, accounting for 25% of the business [6][13] - AI-driven security operations revenue increased by 29%, representing 10% of total business [9][10] - Security subscriptions revenue grew by 16%, while support and related service revenues increased by 12% [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMEA was the best-performing geography with mid-teens growth, particularly in financial services and government sectors, which grew over 20% [24][95] - The number of new logos increased by 14% to over 6,300, driven by investments in channel partners [13][14] - Large enterprise customers showed a growth of around 30%, with an increase in deals greater than $1,000,000 [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Fortinet aims to maintain its leadership in the firewall market and expand its presence in the SASE and OT security markets [6][10] - The company is focusing on integrating AI capabilities into its products, holding over 500 AI patents, and enhancing its SASE strategy [10][11] - Fortinet is also investing in Sovereign SASE solutions for large enterprises and service providers, ensuring compliance with local regulations [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the continued adoption of Fortinet solutions despite macroeconomic uncertainties, citing strong customer demand [18][25] - The company is cautious in its guidance due to potential risks from geopolitical factors but remains optimistic about achieving growth targets [28][30] - The upcoming firewall upgrade cycle is expected to gain momentum in the second half of 2025 [29] Other Important Information - The company announced the FortiGate 700 series, a high-performance firewall aimed at mid-sized businesses, which is expected to enhance market share [11] - Infrastructure investments decreased to $67,000,000, reflecting a lower level of real estate investment [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Dynamics behind maintenance and services revenue - Management explained that the slight decline in service revenue was affected by fewer days in Q1 compared to Q4, impacting daily revenue rates [36][38] Question: Lightness in guidance for the next quarter - Management acknowledged some uncertainty in customer purchasing decisions due to geopolitical factors but noted strong close rates and sales momentum [44][45] Question: Conversations with customers regarding hesitancy to commit - Management indicated that while there is hesitancy due to macro news, they have not seen delays in deals yet [50][51] Question: Impact of tariffs on hardware sales - Management stated that tariffs are not expected to have a significant impact on operating margins, as only a few components are subject to tariff charges [68][70] Question: Large transactions and their representation of the Fortinet platform - Management confirmed that large transactions are primarily driven by SD WAN deployments, with customers expanding into the Fortinet security fabric [63][64] Question: Service revenue downtick and customer refresh dynamics - Management noted that the service revenue decline was partly due to customers refreshing appliances without adding new subscriptions [84][91]