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 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues grew by 10% to $159.9 million, with channel contributions increasing to 49% of total revenues compared to 45% a year ago [19][20] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $74.8 million, representing a 47% margin, consistent with the previous year [23] - Free cash flow was $107.6 million, maintaining a 57% margin compared to 57% in the prior year [23] - EPS for Q1 was $1.67, with full-year EPS guidance raised to a range of $6.00 to $6.30, up from the prior range of $5.50 to $5.90 [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Patch management and cybersecurity asset management combined 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 solutions [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. and international revenue mix was 57% and 43%, respectively, with international growth outpacing domestic growth [20] - Customers spending $500,000 or more grew by 6% year-over-year to 2,003 [14] 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 solutions [62] - The introduction of the Risk Operations Center (ROC) aims to help organizations manage cyber risks proactively, reducing the chance of breaches [7][10] - The company is expanding its Total AI and TruRisk capabilities to address evolving threats associated with AI technologies [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while cybersecurity remains a priority, there is increased scrutiny on spending and longer decision-making cycles due to macroeconomic uncertainty [28][29] - The company expects revenue growth for the full year 2025 to be in the range of 7% to 8%, with a cautious outlook on new business growth [25][58] Other Important Information - The company has made progress towards achieving FedRAMP high certification, which is expected to fuel growth [16] - The company has repurchased 9.6 million shares since the start of its repurchase program, returning nearly $1.1 billion in cash to shareholders [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on the macro environment and customer spending - Management observed that cybersecurity remains important, but there is more scrutiny on spending and longer decision cycles [28][29] Question: Customer journey with the ROC - The ROC consolidates risk signals from multiple tools, providing actionable insights and remediation plans, which helps customers save time and resources [30][32] Question: Impact of macro challenges on deals - No material deals were pushed or pulled; however, there was some pushback on upsell rates from existing customers [37] Question: Competitive landscape and response to competitors - Management expressed confidence in their approach to vulnerability management, focusing on prioritizing and remediating significant risks rather than just identifying vulnerabilities [40][41] Question: Growth in Total Cloud CNAP and audit readiness - The Total Cloud CNAP is still in early stages but has seen growth, with a focus on helping customers prepare for audits and manage risks effectively [76][79]

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 - International revenue grew 16% compared to 6% growth in the U.S., with a revenue mix of 57% U.S. and 43% international [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, with an emphasis on consolidating security tools and enhancing risk management capabilities [18][62] - Qualys aims to expand 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 and plans to certify additional strategic partners [16][62] 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 scrutinized budget environment [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 continued adoption of cloud-native security solutions [24][25] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased 9.6 million shares since February 2018, returning nearly $1.1 billion to shareholders [23] - Qualys is on track to achieve FedRAMP high certification, which is expected to fuel growth [17] 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][38] 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 [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][80]

Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform - Qualys is transforming its focus to deliver desired business outcomes leveraging risk analytics with the Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform[10, 12] - The Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform offers comprehensive risk reduction by eliminating cyber risk, saving time, reducing MTTR, and consolidating the IT-security stack[20, 21] - The platform provides one view across the entire global hybrid-IT environment, allowing customers to consolidate their stack for better security outcomes, with no hardware to buy or manage[31] Market Opportunity and Customer Base - Qualys estimates its current total addressable market at $55 billion in CY2025E, expanding to $79 billion in CY2028E[35] - Qualys has a blue-chip global customer base of over 10,000 subscription customers[37] - 72% of the Forbes Global 50, 55% of the Forbes Global 500, and 33% of the Forbes Global 2000 are Qualys' subscription customers[37] Financial Performance - Qualys' 2024 revenues reached $608 million, with an adjusted EBITDA of $283 million, representing a 47% adjusted EBITDA margin[45] - The company's Q1 2025 revenues were $160 million, with an adjusted EBITDA of $75 million, maintaining a 47% adjusted EBITDA margin[45] - Qualys generated $232 million in free cash flow in 2024[50] - The company's adjusted EBITDA margin of 47% in 2024 is higher than the peer median of 25% for select security and SaaS companies[53]