weekdays, four eastern and streaming on CNBC plus. >> All right. 6.5% minutes before we get started with an opening bell here.Big IPO coming as well. Bullish watching everybody assemble here taking their pictures. Yes there are children. Yes yes.>> People said that about bullish. >> They're the they're the future. The children.>> They just stop. >> All right. Let's get to a mad dash.Want to talk a little Palo Alto. >> Yeah. Okay.So Palo Alto has been just annihilated ever since it bought decided by cyberark ...

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Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks is set to announce its quarterly earnings on August 18, with expectations of significant year-over-year growth in both earnings and revenue [1]. Financial Performance Expectations - Earnings per share are projected at 88 cents, reflecting a 17.3% increase year-over-year [1]. - Revenue is anticipated to reach $2.5 billion, marking a 14.2% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Stock Performance and Analyst Ratings - Piper Sandler upgraded Palo Alto Networks' stock rating to "overweight" from "neutral" and raised the price target from $200 to $225, resulting in a 4.1% increase in stock price to $175.10 [2]. - The stock has experienced a decline from its record high of $210.39 on July 29, primarily due to the announcement of the acquisition of CyberArk for $25 billion [2]. Historical Earnings and Market Sentiment - Historically, Palo Alto Networks has finished five of its last eight post-earnings sessions lower [3]. - The options market is pricing in a 9.6% move for the stock following the earnings announcement, which is slightly above the average 8.6% swing over the past two years [3]. - The stock's 14-day relative strength index (RSI) is at 25.2, indicating it is in "oversold" territory, suggesting a potential short-term bounce [3]. Options Trading Strategy - A premium-selling strategy may be advisable for options trading, as the equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) is at 13 out of 100, indicating low volatility [4].

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) shares have declined by 14.5% over the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Security industry's decline of 10% and its peers like CyberArk, CrowdStrike, and Zscaler [1][2] Sales Growth Concerns - The company is experiencing a slowdown in sales growth, with revenue growth rates in the mid-teens percentage range over the past year, down from mid-20s in fiscal 2023 [3][4] - Full-year revenue growth for fiscal 2025 is forecasted at just 14%, with revenues expected to be in the range of $9.17-$9.19 billion [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates revenue growth will remain in the mid-teen percentage range for fiscal 2025 and 2026 [4] Next-Generation Security (NGS) Growth - NGS annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth has decelerated for five consecutive quarters, with projections for fiscal 2025 suggesting a slowdown to 31-32% growth compared to over 45% in previous years [7][8] - The shift from multi-year payments to annual payments for $1 million-plus deals is affecting top-line stability [9] Industry Opportunities - The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $193.73 billion in 2024 to $562.77 billion by 2032, indicating a significant addressable market for Palo Alto Networks [10] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions, particularly through its AI-driven platforms like Cortex XSIAM and Prisma AIRS [11] Financial Stability and Valuation - Palo Alto Networks is transitioning to a platform-based model, generating recurring revenue streams and enhancing customer retention [14] - The company is currently trading at a lower price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 10.62X compared to the industry average of 11.51X and peers like CyberArk, CrowdStrike, and Zscaler [17][20] Conclusion - Despite slowing revenues and NGS ARR growth rates, Palo Alto Networks remains a leader in cybersecurity with continued innovation and a shift towards a predictable recurring revenue model [21][22] - The discounted valuation offers some downside protection, making PANW an attractive long-term hold for investors seeking exposure to cybersecurity growth [22]

Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is anticipated to report a year-over-year increase in earnings and revenues for the quarter ended July 2025, with the actual results being a significant factor influencing its near-term stock price [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - The upcoming earnings report is expected to be released on August 18, with a consensus estimate of $0.88 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 17.3%. Revenues are projected to be $2.5 billion, up 14.2% from the previous year [3][2]. - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 1.21% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [4]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model indicates that the Most Accurate Estimate for Palo Alto is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of -0.53%, suggesting a bearish outlook from analysts [11]. - A positive Earnings ESP is generally a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3, which increases the likelihood of a positive surprise [9][10]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Palo Alto exceeded the expected earnings of $0.77 per share by delivering $0.80, resulting in a surprise of +3.90%. The company has beaten consensus EPS estimates in the last four quarters [12][13]. Conclusion - Despite the historical performance of beating estimates, Palo Alto does not currently appear to be a compelling candidate for an earnings beat, and investors should consider other factors before making investment decisions [16].

Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks has significantly expanded its market capitalization to approximately $114 billion since Nikesh Arora became CEO in June 2018, driven by an aggressive acquisition strategy, including the recent $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk, marking a pivotal moment in the cybersecurity landscape [2][3]. Company Strategy - Under Arora's leadership, Palo Alto has executed over 20 acquisitions to establish itself as a comprehensive cybersecurity provider, with CyberArk being the largest acquisition in the company's history [2][3]. - The acquisition of CyberArk is aimed at enhancing Palo Alto's capabilities in identity management, positioning the company against competitors like Okta, Microsoft, and IBM's HashiCorp [5][16]. Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the CyberArk deal, Palo Alto's stock experienced a 16% decline, with several analysts downgrading their ratings due to concerns over the integration and potential synergies of the acquisition [3][19]. - Analysts have expressed mixed sentiments, with some recommending a hold on the stock while others maintain a buy recommendation, citing Arora's strong execution focus and market positioning strategy [19][20]. Financial Performance - CyberArk reported a 46% revenue increase in the latest quarter, reaching $328 million, which constitutes about 14% of Palo Alto's total revenue [9]. - The acquisition aligns with the growing demand for integrated cybersecurity solutions, as organizations increasingly seek to streamline their security operations [17]. Competitive Landscape - Palo Alto has identified Alphabet as a new competitor in the cybersecurity space, alongside traditional players like Cisco and Microsoft, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the industry [4]. - The cybersecurity sector is witnessing a surge in mergers and acquisitions, driven by the rise in sophisticated cyber threats, particularly those leveraging artificial intelligence [5].

Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks (PANW) has experienced a stock decline of -14.3% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change, and the Zacks Security industry has lost 8.5% during the same period, raising questions about the stock's near-term direction [1] Earnings Estimates - For the current quarter, Palo Alto is expected to post earnings of $0.88 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +17.3%, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate remaining unchanged over the last 30 days [4] - The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year is $3.27, indicating a +15.1% change from the previous year, also unchanged over the last 30 days [4] - For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate is $3.65, suggesting an +11.4% change from the prior year, with a slight increase of +0.1% over the past month [5] Revenue Growth - The consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $2.5 billion, representing a year-over-year change of +14.2% [10] - For the current fiscal year, the revenue estimate is $9.19 billion, indicating a +14.4% change, while the next fiscal year's estimate of $10.45 billion reflects a +13.8% change [10] Last Reported Results - In the last reported quarter, Palo Alto generated revenues of $2.29 billion, a year-over-year increase of +15.3%, with an EPS of $0.8 compared to $0.66 a year ago [11] - The reported revenues exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.28 billion by +0.57%, and the EPS surprise was +3.9% [11] - The company has consistently beaten consensus EPS and revenue estimates in the trailing four quarters [12] Valuation - Palo Alto is graded F in the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it is trading at a premium compared to its peers [16] - Valuation multiples such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) are essential for assessing whether the stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or undervalued [14][15] Conclusion - The Zacks Rank 3 suggests that Palo Alto may perform in line with the broader market in the near term, despite the current market buzz [17]

Cybersecurity Sector Overview - Cybersecurity has shown consistent performance, with the Amplify ETF (HACK) up over 16% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500's 8% increase [1] - Major companies in the cybersecurity space, such as Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks, are positioned for potential breakouts after periods of consolidation [2] Fortinet (FTNT) Analysis - Fortinet's stock has been consolidating in a range between $100 and $110, forming a bullish coiled base, with a breakout area defined near the $110 zone [2][3] - The upcoming earnings report on August 6 could serve as a catalyst for overcoming resistance [3] - Fortinet's Q1 2025 earnings were $0.58 per share, beating consensus by $0.05, with a revenue increase of 13.8% year-over-year [3] Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Analysis - Palo Alto Networks has been consolidating between $180 and $210 for nearly a year, with a significant breakout potential if the $210 resistance is breached [6][7] - The stock has appreciated 127% over the past three years and over 500% in the last decade, despite a year-to-date performance of only 6.5% [6][7] - Recent earnings showed EPS of $0.80, exceeding estimates by $0.03, with a revenue increase of 15.3% year-over-year [8] - Speculation around a potential $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk has created mixed reactions, with some analysts supporting the strategic move [9][10] Market Sentiment and Analyst Views - Analysts currently hold a neutral stance on Fortinet, with valuation considered reasonable relative to the sector [4] - Jefferies analysts support the potential CyberArk acquisition by Palo Alto, maintaining a price target of $235 for the stock [10]

Group 1 - China Biopharmaceutical (1177.HK) saw a rise of over 3% after announcing a successful licensing agreement with Merck for its PD-1/VEGF dual antibody, expecting a $300 million milestone payment soon [1] - CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093.HK) increased by over 5% following the announcement of an exclusive licensing agreement with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals for the global development of its GLP-1 receptor agonist SYH2086 [1] - Youzan (8083.HK) surged over 7% as it projected a revenue of approximately 709 to 719 million RMB for the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of about 3.3% to 4.8%, and a net profit of 68 to 74 million RMB, marking a turnaround from a loss last year [1] Group 2 - Xingsheng International (6058.HK) rose nearly 18% after the bank announced its commitment to embrace technological transformation and explore stablecoins and AI initiatives [2] - New Oriental Education (9901.HK) fell nearly 4% after reporting a 9.4% year-on-year increase in net revenue to $1.243 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, but a 73.7% drop in net profit [2] - Kingdee International (0268.HK) saw a rise of over 7% as it announced a board meeting to review its interim results and potential dividend distribution [2] Group 3 - Macau gaming stocks rose, with MGM China (2282.HK) up over 4% after Macquarie raised its forecast for Macau's total gaming revenue for 2025 by 5% to 235.7 billion RMB, indicating a year-on-year growth of 4% [3] - Gold stocks in Hong Kong continued to decline, with Tongguan Gold (0340.HK) dropping over 9% for six consecutive days, as spot gold prices fell below $3,270 per ounce [4] - Kangfang Biopharma (9926.HK) rose nearly 5% after announcing the completion of the first patient dosing in a pivotal clinical trial for its PD-1/VEGF dual-specific antibody [4] Group 4 - Weishi Jiajie (0856.HK) increased by over 3% as a report indicated that its Southeast Asia business is expected to see a significant revenue increase of 74% in 2024, with net profit contributing about 51% [5] Group 5 - Meta (META.US) exceeded revenue expectations and provided strong guidance for the current quarter, leading to an after-hours increase of over 11% [6] - Microsoft (MSFT.US) reported an 18% year-on-year growth in revenue, driven by its cloud business, with Azure revenue up 34% for the full year, resulting in an after-hours increase of over 8% [6] - Wingstop (WING.US) surged by 26.85% after reporting adjusted earnings per share of $1.00 for the second quarter, exceeding analyst expectations [6] Group 6 - Several biopharmaceutical stocks surged, with Replimune (REPL.US) up 101.33% following news of regulatory changes at the FDA that may ease pressure on gene therapy and vaccine companies [7] - Marvell Technology (MRVL.US) rose 7.07% after announcing a partnership with Rebellions to provide AI systems for regional projects in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East [7] - Palo Alto Networks (PANW.US) fell 5.58% after agreeing to acquire CyberArk Software for approximately $25 billion [8]

Core Viewpoint - The technology sector is undergoing transformation due to the rapid adoption of AI and multi-cloud environments, leading to increased cyber threats and a demand for integrated security solutions [1][2] Group 1: Company Strategy - Palo Alto Networks is positioning itself as a leader in cybersecurity through a strategy called platformization, which aims to consolidate multiple security tools into a single, unified platform [2] - The platformization strategy is supported by three main pillars: Strata for network security, Prisma for cloud security, and Cortex for security operations [4] - Recent acquisitions, including Protect AI, enhance Palo Alto's capabilities in AI security by integrating AI model scanning and runtime protection into its Prisma platform [3][5] Group 2: Financial Performance - Palo Alto Networks' Next-Generation Security (NGS) Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) grew 34% year-over-year to $5.1 billion as of April 30, 2025, indicating a successful transition to a software and subscription-based model [7] - The company's total revenue increased by 15.3% to $2.3 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, surpassing analyst expectations [8] - The company has achieved 12 consecutive quarters of positive GAAP net income, demonstrating a combination of high growth and sustained profitability [8] Group 3: Market Position and Future Prospects - Palo Alto Networks is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire CyberArk for over $20 billion, which would significantly enhance its identity security offerings and competitive position [9][11] - The stock has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) above 110, reflecting high investor expectations for future growth [12] - Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy consensus rating for the stock, with an average price target of $209.42, indicating confidence in the company's strategy and financial performance [13]