Check Point price target lowered to $225 from $250 at Truist

Core Viewpoint - Truist has lowered the price target for Check Point (CHKP) to $225 from $250 while maintaining a Buy rating, indicating a cautious yet optimistic outlook for the cybersecurity sector in Q4 [1] Group 1: Company Insights - Check Point (CHKP) is expected to report strong performance in calendar Q4, with a conservative guidance approach that may lead to a continued beat-and-raise trend for 2026 [1] - The firm’s conversations with IT budget holders and software sellers suggest that demand and the macro environment remain stable, with ongoing momentum in Security & AI initiatives [1] Group 2: Industry Trends - The software equity sector, including cybersecurity, is facing significant pressure as investors shift focus towards AI hardware, which has contributed to a decline in the IGV – iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF, down approximately 7% in the early weeks of trading [1] - Concerns regarding AI-driven competitive disruption, slow monetization of AI features, prolonged high interest rates, and geopolitical shocks are impacting the overall sentiment in the software sector [1]