Core Insights - Qualys, Inc. has opened a new office in Washington, D.C. to expand its support for the growing public sector customer base amid escalating cyber threats and the need for operational efficiency [1][4][5] Industry Context - Government agencies are currently facing challenges such as shrinking budgets, limited resources, and an increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, which heightens the pressure on teams responsible for protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure [2] Company Strategy - To address these challenges, public sector organizations are transitioning from reactive defense to proactive risk management, with Qualys leading this shift through the introduction of the Risk Operations Center (ROC) model. This model allows agencies to unify visibility, prioritize significant threats, and automate responses, thereby enhancing cyber resilience and operational efficiency [3] Commitment to Public Sector - The expansion of Qualys' operations is a continuation of its commitment to serving public sector agencies, as evidenced by its support for numerous federal entities and its progress towards achieving FedRAMP High Authorization for its cloud platform, which aligns with the stringent security and compliance requirements of government customers [4] Leadership Perspective - The CEO of Qualys emphasized that the new office represents a strategic investment in the federal space, aiming to provide public sector agencies with efficient and powerful solutions to mitigate cyber risks [5] Product Offering - Qualys offers the Enterprise TruRisk Platform, which utilizes a single agent to deliver critical security intelligence and automate vulnerability detection, compliance, and protection across various IT environments, including on-premises, cloud, and mobile devices [6]

Core Insights - Zscaler (ZS) and Qualys (QLYS) are significant players in the cybersecurity sector, both competing in the vulnerability management space [1][2] - The cybersecurity market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.63% from 2025 to 2030, driven by increasing cyberattacks [2] Zscaler Overview - Zscaler provides a wide range of enterprise network security solutions, including web security, antivirus, and vulnerability management [4] - The company integrates over 150 data sources for unified vulnerability management, enhancing automation in risk mitigation [5] - Zscaler is focusing on privileged access security due to digital transformation trends and has a diverse industry presence, which helps mitigate macroeconomic risks [6] - The integration of AI in Zscaler's offerings enhances its capabilities in threat detection and mitigation [7] - However, rising sales and marketing expenses, along with increased R&D investment, are leading to margin compression, with fiscal 2025 earnings projected at $3.18 per share, a decline of 0.31% year-over-year [8][10] Qualys Overview - Qualys is a leader in Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response (VMDR) solutions, with a growing customer base and product enhancements [11] - The company has a strong channel partner program that accelerates revenue growth, particularly through cloud-based security solutions [12] - Qualys reported a 16% year-over-year growth in international revenue, indicating successful organic expansion [13] - The total addressable market for Qualys is projected to reach $72 billion by 2027, growing at approximately 13% annually [14] - Fiscal 2025 revenues for Qualys are estimated at $652.2 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.34%, with earnings projected at $6.17 per share, a growth of 0.65% [15] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Zscaler shares have returned 68%, while Qualys shares have returned 1.2% [17] - Zscaler trades at a forward sales multiple of 15.21X, above the industry average of 14.77X, while Qualys trades at a lower multiple of 7.69X [19] - Qualys is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), making it a more attractive investment compared to Zscaler, which holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [20]

Industry Overview - The digital economy has elevated cybersecurity from a background IT concern to a top priority for businesses, as they face increasing cyber threats such as ransomware, data breaches, and phishing attacks [1] - The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $193.73 billion in 2024 to $562.72 billion by 2032, reflecting a strong CAGR of 14.3%, driven by the complexity of IT systems, tighter regulations, and the need to protect sensitive data [2] Technological Advancements - Traditional security tools are becoming inadequate against smarter and faster cyberattacks, leading to a shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) for proactive threat detection and response [3] - AI is being integrated into cybersecurity solutions to analyze large volumes of data, enabling companies to automate detection and response processes [3] Company Highlights - **CyberArk Software (CYBR)**: Focuses on identity security solutions, leveraging AI to enhance its leadership in the identity security space with innovations like the Secure AI Agent solution [6][8] - **Qualys (QLYS)**: Specializes in vulnerability management and cloud security, enhancing its AI capabilities to improve threat detection and remediation [9][10] - **Okta (OKTA)**: Concentrates on identity and access management, ramping up AI capabilities to address the complexities of digital identities, with innovations like Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI [12][13] - **A10 Networks (ATEN)**: Advances its AI-driven cybersecurity strategy through acquisitions and scalable solutions, positioning itself for growth in AI data center deployments [15][16][17] Market Positioning - CyberArk's unified platform offers critical capabilities for identity security, enhancing its market relevance and customer value proposition [7][8] - Qualys' AI-powered platform is expected to drive customer adoption and long-term revenue growth [11] - Okta's growing customer base, particularly among Fortune 500 clients, positions it as a compelling long-term investment [14] - A10 Networks is well-placed to benefit from the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, supported by strong margins and disciplined capital allocation [17]

Industry Overview - 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] - The surge in demand is driven by a significant rise in data breaches, leading companies to seek comprehensive IT security solutions [1] - The industry encompasses both on-premise and cloud-based security solutions, including identity access management, infrastructure protection, integrated risk management, malware analysis, and Internet traffic management [3] Major Trends - Rising cyber threats are escalating the need for robust security solutions, impacting not only individual companies but also national security [4] - The shift towards digital transformation and cloud migration is driving demand for cybersecurity solutions across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and entertainment [5] - Macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical issues may lead enterprises to delay significant IT investments, potentially affecting the security market in the short term [6] Company Performance - Companies like CyberArk Software, Okta, and Qualys are benefiting from the trends in the cybersecurity market [2] - CyberArk Software is experiencing growth due to rising demand for privileged access security solutions, with a strong presence across various sectors [21] - Qualys is well-positioned to navigate market challenges with its diverse customer base and continuous innovation in information security solutions [28] - Okta's identity security solutions are gaining traction as organizations adopt digital transformation strategies, serving approximately 20,000 customers [33] Financial Outlook - The Zacks Security industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 19, placing it among the top 8% of nearly 250 Zacks industries, indicating solid near-term prospects [8] - The industry's bottom-line estimate for 2025 has increased to $1.45 from $1.35, reflecting analysts' optimism about earnings growth potential [10] - Over the past year, the Zacks Security industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500, with a return of 38.3% compared to 11.8% and 11.9% respectively [13] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 14.77, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 5.12 and the sector's 6.37 [16] - Over the last five years, the industry's price-to-sales ratio has ranged from a high of 19.36X to a low of 6.92X, with a median of 12.56X [17]

Company Overview - Qualys shares have increased by approximately 8.4% over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] - The most recent earnings report is crucial for understanding the catalysts affecting the stock [1] Earnings Estimates - Fresh estimates for Qualys have trended upward, with the consensus estimate shifting by 8.18% [2] VGM Scores - Qualys has a Growth Score of A, a Momentum Score of C, and a Value Score of F, resulting in an aggregate VGM Score of C [3] Outlook - The upward trend in estimates suggests a promising outlook, leading to a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) for Qualys, indicating expectations of above-average returns in the coming months [4] Industry Performance - Qualys is part of the Zacks Security industry, where Check Point Software has gained 4.6% over the past month [5] - Check Point reported revenues of $637.8 million for the last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.5% [5] - Check Point's expected earnings for the current quarter are $2.36 per share, indicating an 8.8% increase from the previous year [6]

Qualys (QLYS) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Qualys - **Industry**: Cybersecurity, specifically focusing on cyber risk management and vulnerability management - **Key Executives**: Sumit Dakar (CEO), Jume Kim (CFO) [1][2] Core Business Insights - **Vulnerability Management**: Qualys has been a pioneer in vulnerability management, evolving from basic detection to comprehensive cyber risk management solutions [3][4] - **Product Expansion**: The company has broadened its offerings to include remediation, patch management, asset management, and a risk operation center [4][5] - **Market Growth**: The number of vulnerabilities detected has increased significantly, necessitating a shift from merely identifying vulnerabilities to prioritizing and remediating them effectively [5][6] Financial Performance and Growth Strategy - **Growth Drivers**: Historically, growth has been driven by existing customers, with 15% of last twelve months (LTM) bookings coming from new products like Patch Management and CSAM [9][10] - **Future Growth**: The company anticipates continued growth from existing customers while also targeting new customer acquisition through enhanced value propositions [10][17] - **Financial Model**: Qualys maintains a focus on profitable growth, with a gross margin of 84% despite a shift towards more partner-driven sales [31][32] Product Development and Market Position - **Enterprise True Risk Solution**: This solution aims to provide a holistic view of cybersecurity risks, allowing customers to justify cybersecurity investments to stakeholders [11][12] - **Risk Operation Center**: A new offering that consolidates data from various tools to provide a comprehensive risk assessment, enabling better decision-making for customers [13][14] - **Cloud Security**: Qualys is actively expanding its cloud security capabilities, with 30 million agents deployed in public cloud environments [44][32] Partner Strategy and Market Dynamics - **Channel Focus**: The company is increasingly relying on channel partners for new customer acquisition and upselling, with a significant portion of deals now involving partners [25][29] - **Managed Services**: Qualys is enabling partners to offer risk monitoring services, which differ from traditional threat monitoring, thus expanding its market reach [22][24] - **Federal Market Opportunity**: The company is preparing to enhance its presence in the federal sector, particularly with the upcoming FedRAMP High certification, which will allow access to more federal agencies [33][34] Challenges and Future Outlook - **Sales Productivity**: While relationships with partners have improved, direct sales productivity has not met expectations, prompting a strategic shift towards channel partnerships [47][48] - **Investment in Federal Sector**: The company is committed to investing in the federal market, anticipating significant growth opportunities once FedRAMP High is achieved [35][36] - **Long-term Strategy**: Qualys aims to continue evolving its platform to meet the changing needs of customers, focusing on risk management and comprehensive cybersecurity solutions [17][32] Additional Insights - **Customer Engagement**: There is a notable increase in engagement from Chief Security Officers (CSOs) in discussions about risk management, indicating a shift in customer priorities [16][17] - **Market Confusion**: The distinction between vulnerability management, CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management), and other security solutions is often misunderstood, but Qualys aims to clarify these roles [41][42] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Qualys FY Conference, highlighting the company's strategic direction, market opportunities, and challenges ahead.

Core Insights - Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) shares rose 4% in after-hours trading following better-than-expected Q1 2025 results, with non-GAAP earnings of $1.67 per share, exceeding both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.46 and management's guidance of $1.40-$1.50 [1][2] Financial Performance - Q1 revenues increased by 10% year-over-year to $159.9 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $157.1 million, driven by a strong partner ecosystem [2] - Non-GAAP gross profit rose 10% year-over-year to $133.7 million, with a gross margin improvement of 100 basis points to 84% [5] - Non-GAAP operating income grew 10% to $71.2 million, with an operating margin improvement of 100 basis points to 45% [5] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 8% to $74.8 million, maintaining an adjusted EBITDA margin of 47% [5] Revenue Breakdown - Sales from channel partners grew by 19%, while direct sales saw a modest 2% increase, with channel partners contributing 49% to total revenues [3] - U.S. sales grew by 6%, accounting for approximately 57% of total revenues, while international sales increased by 16%, contributing the remaining 43% [4] Cash Flow and Balance Sheet - As of March 31, 2025, Qualys had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $640 million, up from $575 million a year ago [6] - The company generated an operating cash flow of $109.6 million and free cash flow of $107.6 million during the quarter [6] - Qualys repurchased stocks worth $39.7 million, with $303.8 million remaining under the share repurchase program [6] Guidance Updates - Following the strong Q1 performance, Qualys raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to a range of $648 million to $657 million, reflecting a year-over-year improvement of 7-8% [7] - The company now forecasts non-GAAP earnings for 2025 to be in the range of $6.00-$6.30 per share, up from the previous range of $5.50-$5.90 [8] - For Q2, Qualys expects revenues between $159.7 million and $162.7 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 7-9% [8][9]

Group 1: Earnings Performance - Qualys reported quarterly earnings of $1.67 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.46 per share, and up from $1.45 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 14.38% [1] - The company posted revenues of $159.9 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.78%, compared to year-ago revenues of $145.81 million [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Qualys shares have declined approximately 8.6% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 3.9% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.40 on revenues of $159.62 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.73 on revenues of $649.67 million [7] Group 3: Industry Context - The Zacks Security industry is currently ranked in the bottom 31% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for stock performance [8] - Another company in the same industry, CrowdStrike Holdings, is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 29%, with revenues projected at $1.1 billion, up 19.9% from the previous year [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues grew 10% to $159.9 million, with channel contributions increasing to 49% of total revenues from 45% a year ago [19][20] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $74.8 million, representing a 47% margin, consistent with the previous year [22] - Free cash flow was $107.6 million, maintaining a 57% margin compared to the prior year [22][23] - EPS for Q1 was $1.67, with full-year EPS guidance raised to $6.00 - $6.30 from a prior range of $5.50 - $5.90 [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Patch management and cybersecurity asset management accounted for 15% of total bookings and 24% of new bookings on an LTM basis [21] - Total Cloud CNAP made up 5% of LTM bookings, reflecting customer demand for comprehensive risk management [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. revenue grew 6%, while international revenue grew 16%, indicating stronger performance outside the U.S. [20] - Customers spending $500,000 or more increased by 6% year-over-year to 2,003 [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a partner-first strategy to drive growth, emphasizing the consolidation of security tools and risk management [60][73] - Qualys aims to enhance its Total AI and TruRisk capabilities to address evolving threats associated with AI technologies [10] - The company is advancing its managed risk operations (MROC) services to provide a centralized approach to pre-breach risk management [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty affecting customer spending and decision-making cycles, leading to a more cautious outlook [28][29] - Despite challenges, the company remains confident in its long-term growth potential and ability to gain market share [15][18] - Guidance for full-year revenue growth is set at 7% to 8%, with expectations of increased scrutiny on new business growth [24][25] Other Important Information - The company has made progress towards achieving FedRAMP high certification, which is expected to fuel growth [17] - Qualys has repurchased 9.6 million shares since February 2018, returning nearly $1.1 billion to shareholders [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on the macro environment and customer spending - Management observed that cybersecurity remains a priority, but there is increased scrutiny on spending and longer decision cycles [28] Question: Customer journey with the Risk Operations Center (ROC) - The ROC consolidates risk signals from multiple tools, providing actionable insights and remediation plans, which helps customers save time and resources [31][32] Question: Impact of macro challenges on deals - No material deals were pushed or pulled; however, there was some pushback on anticipated upsell rates from existing customers [37] Question: Competitive landscape and response to competitors expanding into network-based VM - Management expressed confidence in Qualys's focus on prioritizing and remediating vulnerabilities rather than just identifying them [39][40] Question: Growth in Total Cloud CNAP and audit readiness - The Total Cloud CNAP is still in early stages but has seen growth, with audit readiness becoming a significant area of focus for customers [78][81]

Table of Contents (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) __________________ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Delaware 77-0534145 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) Washington, D.C. 20549 __________________ FORM 10-Q __________________ x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2025 o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Ac ...