FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualys, Inc. (NASDAQ: QLYS), a pioneer and leading provider of disruptive cloud-based IT, security and compliance solutions, today announced that the company will report its financial results for the fourth quarter 2025 after the market closes on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Qualys will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss its fourth quarter 2025 financial results at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) on Thursday, February 5, 2026 ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - The Zacks Style Scores are indicators designed to help investors select stocks likely to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [3] - Stocks with higher Style Scores have a better chance of outperforming the market [3] Categories of Style Scores - **Value Score**: Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales to highlight attractive investment opportunities [4] - **Growth Score**: Analyzes projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth potential [5] - **Momentum Score**: Assesses price trends and earnings outlook changes to identify favorable buying opportunities for high-momentum stocks [6] - **VGM Score**: A composite score that combines Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, serving as a crucial indicator alongside the Zacks Rank [7] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.9% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 top-rated stocks available, making it essential for investors to utilize Style Scores to narrow down their choices [9] Stock Recommendation: Qualys Inc. (QLYS) - Qualys Inc. is recognized for its comprehensive information security solutions, including asset management and cloud-native security [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, Qualys has a VGM Score of B and a Growth Style Score of A, indicating a projected year-over-year earnings growth of 13.9% for the current fiscal year [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Qualys has increased by $0.07 to $6.98 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +16.6%, making it a strong candidate for growth investors [13][14]

Industry Overview - The momentum of the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure segment is expected to continue into 2026, supported by a bullish demand scenario [1] - Concerns exist regarding the overstretched valuations of major AI companies, including both infrastructure developers and application implementers [1] Investment Opportunities - Several small and mid-sized AI stocks that underperformed the broader market in the past year are identified as potential game changers for 2026, including UiPath Inc. (PATH), Five9 Inc. (FIVN), Qualys Inc. (QLYS), Teradata Corp. (TDC), and BlackBerry Ltd. (BB) [2] - Each of these stocks currently holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [2] Company Highlights UiPath Inc. (PATH) - UiPath provides a robotic process automation platform that utilizes AI to automate repetitive tasks and streamline operations [5] - The platform features embedded AI, machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP) capabilities, enhancing decision-making and information processing [6] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the next year are 9.3% and 13.7%, respectively, with a 5.6% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 30 days [8] Five9 Inc. (FIVN) - Five9 offers intelligent cloud software for contact centers, benefiting from a rise in subscription revenues and Enterprise AI revenues [10] - The platform includes interactive virtual agents and AI insights, optimizing customer interactions across various channels [12] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 9.5% and 8.3%, respectively, with a 1.3% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 60 days [15] Qualys Inc. (QLYS) - Qualys is experiencing increased demand for cloud-based cybersecurity solutions amid rising cyber threats [16] - The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its growth, including Blue Hexagon, which improved its threat detection capabilities [17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 7.7% and 6.5%, respectively, with a 10.4% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 60 days [19] Teradata Corp. (TDC) - Teradata's prospects are bolstered by improvements in annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth and cost-saving measures [20] - The company offers a portfolio that includes advanced analytics and AI capabilities, which are expected to drive top-line growth [21] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are -0.6% and 3.6%, respectively, with an 8.3% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 60 days [23] BlackBerry Ltd. (BB) - BlackBerry provides intelligent security software and services, leveraging AI for cybersecurity and data privacy [24] - The QNX business is gaining traction in the automotive sector, with its software suite installed in over 275 million vehicles [27] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the next year are 7.4% and 13.3%, respectively, with a 6.3% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 30 days [28]

Industry Overview - Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing market driven by the digitization of organizations and the increasing scale of cyber threats, with demand expected to continue growing through 2026 as threats evolve and architectures shift to cloud and AI [1] - The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $218.98 billion in 2025 to $562.77 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.40% [2] - Key sectors for investment opportunities include finance, healthcare, and government, with significant potential in AI-driven security, managed security services, and zero-trust architectures, particularly in emerging markets like Asia Pacific and South America [2] Market Dynamics - The cybersecurity sector benefits from strong secular tailwinds, but faces challenges such as intense competition, rapid technological changes, regulatory complexity, and high talent costs [3] - As cyber threats increase across various environments, companies are compelled to invest more in cybersecurity, making it essential for business continuity and digital trust [1][3] Company Highlights - **Qualys Inc. (QLYS)**: A leading provider of information security solutions, with a focus on continuous product innovation in areas like Vulnerability Management, Detection, and Response. The company raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to $665.8 million to $667.8 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase [5][6] - **Fortinet Inc. (FTNT)**: Provides network security appliances and Unified Threat Management solutions. The company is experiencing strong demand from large enterprise customers, although it faces challenges in sales execution and marketing efficiency. Its full-year revenue guidance is $6.72 billion to $6.78 billion [8][9] - **CrowdStrike (CRWD)**: Specializes in next-generation endpoint protection and threat intelligence. The company expects revenues for fiscal 2026 to be between $4.797 billion and $4.807 billion, with a strong sales pipeline and customer adoption of its Falcon platform [10][11] - **Palo Alto Networks (PANW)**: Offers network security solutions and is enhancing its platform strategy through the acquisition of CyberArk Software, expected to close in the second half of fiscal 2026. This acquisition aims to strengthen identity-aware security and is projected to be accretive to revenue growth and gross margin [14][15]

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent insider sale of shares by Sumedh S Thakar, CEO of Qualys, highlighting the context and implications of this transaction in relation to the company's performance and market conditions [6][8]. Company Overview - Qualys is a leading provider of cloud-based security and compliance solutions, enabling organizations to identify, manage, and remediate IT vulnerabilities at scale [7]. - The company's SaaS platform integrates asset discovery, vulnerability management, and compliance monitoring, supporting evolving cybersecurity requirements [7]. Transaction Details - Sumedh S Thakar sold 8,500 shares on November 14, 2025, following the exercise of 6,500 stock options, as disclosed in a SEC Form 4 filing [6][4]. - The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $142.68, with the market closing at $143.57 on the transaction date [2]. - After this transaction, Thakar's direct holdings decreased to 254,800 shares, valued at approximately $36.6 million, representing a reduction of 3.23% in direct share count [3]. Market Context - As of November 14, 2025, the stock had declined 3.9% over the prior year, with the current price standing at $143.07, slightly above the transaction price [2]. - The sale of 8,500 shares exceeds the recent median insider sale of 7,000 shares from June 14, 2024, through November 14, 2025, accounting for 3.23% of pre-transaction direct holdings [5]. Financial Performance - Qualys reported a 14% increase in GAAP gross profit in its fiscal third-quarter results, with an increased GAAP gross margin to 84% compared to 81% for the same quarter in 2024 [9]. - The company also experienced a 33% increase in GAAP operating income and a 9% increase in GAAP net income [9]. Valuation Metrics - Qualys currently trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 28, which is below the broader software industry average of roughly 33 [10]. - The stock is considered slightly overvalued with a proprietary Fair Ratio of 25.1, indicating potential concerns regarding the company's earnings growth and overall risk [10].

Industry Overview - Cybersecurity has evolved into a major business priority due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, which can result in significant financial losses and brand damage [1] - The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $193.7 billion in 2024 to nearly $563 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4% [2] Technological Advancements - Traditional security tools are becoming inadequate against modern threats, leading to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity to enable proactive threat detection and response [3] - Companies are leveraging AI to analyze large volumes of data, allowing for faster detection and remediation of security threats [7] Key Players and Strategies - **Qualys** focuses on vulnerability management and cloud security, enhancing its AI capabilities to strengthen its market position [6] - **Palantir Technologies** combines its Foundry and Gotham platforms with a comprehensive AI strategy, targeting both government and commercial sectors to improve operational efficiency [10][12] - **Cloudflare** is integrating AI into its services, offering an edge computing platform that enhances security and performance, with significant adoption of its AI-powered solutions [14][15] - **SailPoint** provides AI and machine learning-enabled identity security solutions, automating processes to improve efficiency and security for enterprise customers [17][18] Market Dynamics - The demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions is driven by the increasing complexity of digital networks and new compliance requirements [2] - Companies that effectively integrate AI into their cybersecurity offerings are positioned to capture significant market share and drive long-term revenue growth [8][12]

Core Insights - Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) stock has increased by 8.3% since the last analysis, indicating positive market sentiment towards the company [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The company is actively repositioning itself as a risk operations workflow platform rather than just a vulnerability management provider, suggesting a strategic shift to enhance its market appeal and product offerings [1]

Industry Overview - The AI-driven bull run that began in 2023 and 2024 has continued into 2025, with strong momentum in the AI infrastructure segment [2] - The demand for AI infrastructure remains robust, supported by a bullish market scenario [2] Capital Expenditure Trends - Four of the "magnificent 7" stocks are set to invest $380 billion in 2025 for AI infrastructure development, representing a 54% year-over-year increase in capital spending [3] - Projections indicate that AI infrastructure capital expenditure will exceed $1 trillion by 2028, with estimates reaching a cumulative total of $5 trillion by 2030 [4] Investment Recommendations - Five small and mid-cap stocks are highlighted as potential beneficiaries of the AI boom in 2026: Calix Inc. (CALX), Qualys Inc. (QLYS), Innodata Inc. (INOD), Five9 Inc. (FIVN), and UiPath Inc. (PATH) [5][10] Company Profiles Calix Inc. (CALX) - CALX provides cloud and software platforms for communications service providers, integrating AI to enhance operations and subscriber engagement [8][9] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CALX are 12.4% and 35.3%, respectively, for the next year [11] Qualys Inc. (QLYS) - QLYS specializes in cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, benefiting from increased demand amid rising cyber threats [12][15] - The company has a projected revenue growth rate of 7.7% and earnings growth of 6.5% for the next year [16] Innodata Inc. (INOD) - INOD plays a crucial role in the AI ecosystem by providing high-quality data for training language models, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 24.1% and 35.6%, respectively [18][21] - The company supports five of the seven major hyperscalers and is expanding its capabilities in AI services [19][20] Five9 Inc. (FIVN) - FIVN offers intelligent cloud software for contact centers, with a focus on AI-driven solutions that enhance customer interactions [22][25] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for FIVN are 9.5% and 8.3%, respectively, for the next year [26] UiPath Inc. (PATH) - PATH provides a robotic process automation platform that leverages AI to streamline operations, with new generative AI features enhancing its offerings [27][28] - The company anticipates revenue and earnings growth rates of 9.3% and 14.2%, respectively, for the next year [30]

Core Thesis - Qualys, Inc. is positioned as a leading provider in the cybersecurity market, leveraging its cloud-based IT security solutions to address increasing cyber threats and regulatory demands [2][3][5] Company Overview - Founded in 1999, Qualys offers a comprehensive cloud-native platform that includes services such as Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response, and Cloud Security Posture Management, which help organizations manage cybersecurity risks [2] - As of November 28th, Qualys shares were trading at $140.85, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 27.30 and 19.23 respectively [1] Market Dynamics - The cybersecurity market is valued at $273.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $600 billion by 2030, driven by factors such as rising cyber threats, cloud adoption, and a shortage of skilled professionals [3] - Qualys is well-positioned to benefit from these trends through its subscription-based revenue model, which promotes stable income and strong customer retention [3] Financial Performance - In 2024, Qualys generated $608 million in revenue, reflecting a 12% growth, with gross margins exceeding 80% and operating and net income margins at 28% [4] - The company achieved free cash flow of $232 million, representing 38% of revenue, indicating strong operational efficiency and capacity for investment in R&D and shareholder returns [4] Investment Opportunity - Qualys' strong profitability, cash generation, and integrated platform present a compelling investment case in a rapidly growing industry, despite competitive pressures [5] - The current market conditions are seen as an attractive entry point for investors looking for long-term growth in cybersecurity [5][6]

Core Insights - The Zacks Security industry is experiencing strong demand for cybersecurity products due to the increasing need for secure networks and cloud-based applications, particularly in hybrid work environments [1] - Companies such as CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Okta, and Qualys are benefiting from these trends, although short-term growth may be hindered by economic slowdown and increased operating expenses [2] Industry Overview - The Zacks Security industry includes companies providing on-premise and cloud-based security solutions, addressing needs like identity access management, infrastructure protection, and malware analysis [3] - The industry is categorized into Computer Security, Cybersecurity, and Information Security, each focusing on different aspects of data protection [3] Major Trends - Rising cyber threats are driving demand for IT security solutions, with an increase in cyberattacks impacting both individual companies and national security [4] - Accelerated digital transformation and cloud migration are fueling growth, as various sectors become more reliant on technology, increasing their vulnerability to cyberattacks [5] - Macroeconomic headwinds may lead to delayed IT spending, as organizations conserve cash amid economic uncertainties [6] - High operating expenses related to R&D and sales efforts could pressure profit margins in the near term [7] Industry Performance - The Zacks Security industry ranks 56, placing it in the top 23% of nearly 250 Zacks industries, indicating solid near-term prospects [8] - The industry's earnings outlook is positive, with aggregate earnings estimates for 2025 revised up to $1.61 from $1.40 a year ago [10] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500, gaining only 8.6% compared to 29.5% and 16.5% respectively [11] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 12, higher than the S&P 500's 5.3 and the sector's 6.69 [14] Company Highlights - **Qualys**: A leading provider of information security solutions, benefiting from demand for cloud-based cybersecurity solutions. The consensus estimate for its 2025 earnings has been revised upward by approximately 8% to $6.91 per share [21][24] - **CrowdStrike**: A leader in endpoint protection and cyberattack response services, with a strong portfolio and growth driven by digital transformation. The consensus mark for its fiscal 2026 earnings remains at $3.67 per share [27][29] - **Fortinet**: Provides network security solutions and is benefiting from strong demand from large enterprises. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2025 earnings has been revised upward by 13 cents to $2.65 per share [32][35] - **Okta**: A leading provider of identity security, experiencing increased traction in its solutions. The consensus mark for its fiscal 2026 earnings remains at $3.37 per share [38][40]