Why Zscaler Stock Slid on Wendesday

Core Insights - The market has high expectations for cybersecurity companies, but Zscaler's solid fourth-quarter earnings did not meet these expectations, resulting in a 1.4% decline in share price despite a positive S&P 500 performance [1] Financial Performance - Zscaler reported a 21% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching slightly over $719 million, supported by a 22% increase in annual recurring revenue (ARR) to nearly $3.02 billion [2] - Non-GAAP adjusted net income rose by 27% to nearly $147 million, equating to $0.89 per share, surpassing analyst estimates of $707 million in revenue and $0.80 per share adjusted profitability [4] Market Dynamics - The company attributes its growth to rising concerns about cybersecurity threats and increased adoption of cybersecurity solutions, particularly as clients scale up with artificial intelligence (AI) [5] - The current environment is favorable for cybersecurity companies that embrace AI, which may have led to inflated expectations for Zscaler's fourth-quarter results [5] Future Guidance - Zscaler's guidance for fiscal year 2026 anticipates ARR to be between almost $3.68 billion and almost $3.70 billion [6] - Revenue is expected to be just under $3.27 billion to a bit over $3.28 billion, with adjusted net income forecasted at $3.64 to $3.68 per share for the year [7]