Zscaler Stock Falls Despite Strong Outlook. Is It Time to Jump Into the Stock?

Core Insights - Zscaler's stock experienced a 4% decline after reporting strong fiscal Q4 results, but remains up approximately 50% year-to-date [1][2] - The company operates in the zero trust security niche, which is gaining importance in the cybersecurity sector [3] - Zscaler's revenue for the quarter increased by 21% year-over-year to $719.2 million, surpassing management's guidance [5] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose to $0.89 from $0.72 year-over-year, exceeding the forecast of $0.79 to $0.80 [5] - Operating cash flow was $250.6 million, and free cash flow was $171.9 million, with a cash and short-term investments balance of $3.6 billion [6] - Calculated billings surged by 32% year-over-year to $1.2 billion, while deferred revenue increased by 30% to $2.47 billion, indicating potential revenue growth acceleration [8] Future Guidance - Management forecasts fiscal 2026 revenue between $3.265 billion and $3.284 billion, representing growth of approximately 22% to 23% [9] - For Q1 of fiscal 2026, Zscaler anticipates revenue between $772 million and $774 million, with adjusted EPS between $0.85 and $0.86 [10][11] - The introduction of the Z-Flex payment program has led to a 50% increase in flex billings in fiscal Q4, which could drive further growth [14] Market Position and Strategy - Zscaler is focusing on new growth areas such as AI Security and Zero Trust Everywhere, which contributed to exceeding $1 billion in annual recurring revenue [4] - The company is adapting its strategy by implementing flexible payment options, similar to competitors, to enhance customer engagement [13] - Zscaler's forward price-to-sales multiple is approximately 13, reflecting a fair valuation given its expected revenue growth of around 25% [15]