Fund Performance - The Brown Capital Management International All-Company Fund experienced a loss of 4.46% in Q3 2025, underperforming the MSCI World ex-US Growth-Net Index, which returned 2.84% during the same period [1] - Year-to-date, the fund returned 6.67%, significantly lower than the index's 19.32% return, attributed to company-specific challenges and missing out on high-performing industries [1] Company Highlight: CyberArk Software Ltd. - CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CYBR) is recognized as a leader in the rapidly growing Privileged Access Management (PAM) market, which focuses on monitoring and controlling access to critical company assets [3] - The stock of CyberArk Software Ltd. had a one-month return of -6.59% but gained 49.59% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $478.70 per share on December 05, 2025, with a market capitalization of $24.16 billion [2] - PAM is crucial in the broader identity-management space, aiming to minimize the exploitation of key assets by assuming that threats may already exist within the network, thus reducing malware infections and downtime risks [3]

Group 1 - IBM is advancing one of its largest acquisition deals in history, aiming to accelerate its strategic transformation in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, with negotiations to acquire data infrastructure company Confluent for approximately $11 billion [1][2] - The acquisition of Confluent, which has a market value of about $8 billion, would be nearly double the size of IBM's previous acquisition of HashiCorp for $6.4 billion, highlighting IBM's aggressive push into the rapidly growing cloud and AI markets [2] - Confluent's technology focuses on real-time data stream management, essential for operating large AI models, as demand for real-time data processing capabilities is exponentially increasing with the acceleration of AI application deployment by enterprises [2][3] Group 2 - IBM is undergoing a significant restructuring, including plans to lay off thousands of employees by the end of the year, in line with other tech companies, to reposition its business for the AI era [1][2] - The company's strategy reflects a typical transformation path in the tech industry during the AI era: optimizing internal operations through AI technology, reducing traditional roles, and rapidly acquiring key technological capabilities through external mergers and acquisitions [2] - The tech sector has become one of the most active industries for mergers and acquisitions this year, with notable deals including Alphabet's $32 billion acquisition of Wiz and Palo Alto Networks' $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk [3]

Core Insights - The average time required for a successful cyber attack has drastically decreased from 9 days in 2021 to as little as 25 minutes by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for companies to rethink their security strategies [1][3][4] - The rise of AI in both offensive and defensive roles is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, necessitating a shift from traditional passive defense mechanisms to more proactive and integrated security architectures [2][4][7] Group 1: Cyber Attack Trends - AI-related cyber and data security incidents have significantly increased, with the time to execute successful attacks reducing from 9 days in 2021 to 2 days in 2023, and potentially to 25 minutes by 2025 [3][4] - The speed of attacks has improved over 100 times in three years, creating a growing imbalance between attackers and defenders [4] Group 2: Security Challenges - Traditional security models, which focus on network boundaries, are becoming obsolete due to the expansion of attack surfaces from remote work and AI integration [7] - Many enterprises utilize an average of 83 different security tools from 29 vendors, leading to fragmented data and a false sense of security [7] Group 3: Strategic Recommendations - Companies should transition to a platform-based, integrated security architecture to enhance efficiency and reduce the number of tools from 83 to fewer than 10 [8] - Implementing security measures early in the AI development lifecycle is crucial, including selecting trusted base models and filtering sensitive training data [8] - The future of cybersecurity will hinge on capabilities such as global visibility, real-time response, cross-domain defense, and continuous evolution to address unknown threats [8]

Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks has reported solid fiscal Q1 results for 2026, but its stock has not seen significant movement, raising questions about potential buying opportunities [1]. Financial Performance - For fiscal Q1 2026, Palo Alto Networks achieved a revenue increase of 16% year over year, reaching $2.47 billion, which was at the high end of its forecast [2]. - Service revenue rose by 14% to over $2 billion, with both subscription and support revenue increasing by 14% [2]. - Product revenue increased by 23% to $343 million [2]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 19% year over year to $0.93, exceeding guidance [6]. Strategic Developments - The company is focusing on a platformization strategy, having secured 16 new platformization deals in the quarter [4]. - The XSIAM platform saw its number of deals double, including a significant $100 million deal with a U.S. telecom [4]. - Next-generation security annual recurring revenue (ARR) increased by 29% to $5.85 billion, with SASE ARR climbing 34% to over $1.3 billion [5]. Future Guidance - Remaining performance obligations (RPO) rose by 24% year over year to $15.5 billion, aligning with forecasts [6]. - The company has slightly raised its full-year guidance for revenue and EPS [6]. - Fiscal Q2 revenue is forecasted between $2.57 billion and $2.59 billion, with full-year revenue expected between $10.475 billion and $10.525 billion [7]. Acquisitions - Palo Alto Networks announced the acquisition of Chronosphere for $3.35 billion, which has an ARR of $160 million and is growing rapidly [7]. - The company is also in the process of acquiring CyberArk, indicating a strategy to consolidate in the cybersecurity space [8]. Valuation - The stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 12 times fiscal 2026 estimates, which is considered high given the current revenue growth [9].

Core Insights - A configuration error at Cloudflare caused major service disruptions, highlighting vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure as cloud systems become more complex [1][3] - Palo Alto Networks announced plans to acquire Chronosphere for $3.35 billion, indicating a strategic move towards enhancing observability in cloud environments [1][6] Industry Transformation - The Cloudflare incident was part of a broader trend in enterprise technology, where increasing automation and distributed components complicate system monitoring [3][5] - Observability has become crucial as organizations transition to cloud environments with interdependent components, making it challenging to identify issues [4][5] Observability as a Core Infrastructure Layer - Chronosphere specializes in observability, providing detailed data collection to help engineers understand system issues, with over $160 million in annual recurring revenue [4] - Traditional monitoring tools are insufficient for modern cloud environments, necessitating advanced observability platforms [4][5] Convergence of Security and Observability - The acquisition by Palo Alto Networks reflects a growing demand for unified platforms that integrate security monitoring and performance tracking [6][7] - Historically, security and observability functions operated separately, leading to inefficiencies in incident response [7] Evolving Requirements in Data and AI - The rise of AI systems introduces new challenges for observability, as these systems can behave unpredictably over time [8][9] - Continuous validation of AI model outputs is necessary to ensure accuracy and cost control, making observability data essential for both troubleshooting and performance improvement [9]

Group 1 - Maven Securities initiated a new equity stake in CyberArk Software Ltd. by adding 15,000 shares valued at approximately $6.5 million [2][6] - This new position represents 1.5% of Maven's reportable assets under management, outside its top five holdings [3][6] - As of November 19, 2025, CyberArk shares were priced at $475.67, reflecting a 51% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 43 percentage points [3][4] Group 2 - CyberArk Software Ltd. reported a total revenue of $1.30 billion and a net income of -$227 million for the trailing twelve months [4] - The company specializes in privileged access management, endpoint security, cloud entitlements, and identity management solutions, serving various sectors including financial services, healthcare, and government [8][9] - CyberArk's acquisition by Palo Alto Networks was approved by shareholders, with the deal valuing CyberArk at $25 billion, while it was trading at a $22 billion valuation at the time of the announcement [10]

Core Viewpoint - Cybersecurity ETFs experienced a significant breakout, rising over 1% despite Palo Alto Networks' stock declining over 2% after its fiscal first-quarter results, which exceeded earnings and revenue estimates [1][7]. Group 1: ETF Performance - The First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) rose by 1.2%, indicating institutional investors are focusing on the long-term benefits of Palo Alto's AI-driven acquisitions rather than its short-term margin pressures [3]. - The Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK) increased by 1.8%, benefiting from strength in mid-cap players outside of Palo Alto, suggesting ongoing consolidation in the sector [4]. - The Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) saw modest gains of 0.7%, reflecting investor sentiment that Palo Alto's platform expansion could lead to deals among smaller, high-growth companies [5]. - The iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (IHAK) rose about 1%, highlighting the accelerating demand for AI-powered security tools despite Palo Alto's increased spending [6]. Group 2: Palo Alto Networks' Financials and Strategy - Palo Alto's adjusted EPS was 93 cents, beating the expected 89 cents, with revenue reaching $2.47 billion, a 16% year-over-year increase, although net income dipped and capital expenditures surged to $84 million [7]. - The company announced the acquisition of Chronosphere for $3.35 billion and is in the process of acquiring Cyberark Software Ltd for $25 billion, which are seen as essential for building an AI-driven security stack [8]. - The market is currently viewing Palo Alto's heavy investments as a burden, but its long-term prospects are considered positive as it is expected to benefit from these acquisitions once margin pressures are alleviated [9]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The recent market movements indicate a divergence where cybersecurity ETFs are no longer closely tracking Palo Alto, as investors are increasingly optimistic about the structural AI tailwinds supporting the entire cybersecurity ecosystem [10]. - While Palo Alto may be facing short-term challenges due to its transition, cybersecurity ETFs are pricing in future growth potential for the sector [11].

Core Insights - Zscaler is set to report its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on November 25, 2025, with anticipated revenues between $772 million and $774 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 23.2% [1] - The company expects non-GAAP earnings per share in the range of 85-86 cents, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 10.4% [2] Revenue and Earnings Expectations - Zscaler's revenue guidance for Q1 is $772 million to $774 million, driven by its security and networking solutions, particularly in Zero Trust and Data Security [9][6] - The expected earnings per share for the fiscal first quarter is between 85-86 cents, with the consensus estimate remaining unchanged over the past 60 days [2][3] Customer Dynamics and Market Trends - Strong momentum with Global 2000 and Fortune 500 customers, along with $1 million ARR customers, is attributed to ongoing digital transformation and the rise of hybrid work [7] - The adoption of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions is projected to contribute to growth, with the market size expected to reach $109.9 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 31.6% [8] Competitive Landscape - Zscaler faces intense competition from established cybersecurity players like Palo Alto Networks, CyberArk, and CrowdStrike, which are investing heavily in Agentic Operations [18][19] - The company is increasing investments in sales and marketing, as well as research and development, to counter competitive pressures [20] Stock Performance and Valuation - Zscaler's shares have increased by 61.7% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's growth of 17.6% [12] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 13.32X, compared to the industry's 12.65X, indicating a premium valuation [13]

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks reported Q1 FY2026 earnings that exceeded market expectations, with revenue of $2.47 billion, a 16% increase year-over-year, surpassing the expected $2.46 billion [1] - The company announced two significant strategic moves, including a $3.35 billion acquisition of cloud observability platform Chronosphere and a $25 billion acquisition of Israeli identity security company CyberArk [2] Financial Performance - Q1 revenue reached $2.47 billion, up from $2.1 billion in the same quarter last year, exceeding market expectations [1] - Net profit decreased to $334 million from $351 million year-over-year, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.93, above the expected $0.89 [1] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) for next-generation security reached $5.9 billion, a 29% year-over-year increase, meeting guidance [1] - Operating margin improved to 30.2% from 28.8% year-over-year, indicating enhanced scale efficiency [1] - Free cash flow was $1.71 billion, with a margin of 69.2%, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 70 basis points [1] Future Guidance - The company provided positive guidance for Q2, expecting revenue between $2.57 billion and $2.59 billion, with a midpoint of $2.58 billion, aligning with market expectations [2] - Full-year revenue guidance was raised to a range of $10.5 billion to $10.54 billion, above the previous forecast of $10.51 billion, with an upward revision of operating margin guidance by 30 basis points [2] - Analysts noted that while the Q1 performance demonstrated strong execution, the full-year guidance reflects a cautious outlook and potential demand uncertainty [2] Strategic Moves - The acquisition of Chronosphere for $3.35 billion is expected to be completed in the second half of FY2026, aimed at enhancing the company's capabilities in cloud observability [2] - The ongoing acquisition of CyberArk for $25 billion is part of the company's strategy to address the rapid evolution of AI technology [2] Industry Context - The rise of AI has led to increasingly complex cyberattacks, while also driving innovation in security tools [3] - Palo Alto Networks has integrated AI deeply into its product line, launching automated AI agents to assist clients in defending against attacks [3]

Q1 Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights - Palo Alto Networks' Q1'26 Remaining Performance Obligation (RPO) reached $15.5 billion, a 24% year-over-year increase[9] - Next-Generation Security Annual Recurring Revenue (NGS ARR) for Q1'26 was $5.85 billion, up 29% year-over-year[9] - Q1'26 revenue totaled $2.47 billion, representing a 16% year-over-year growth[9] - The company's Q1'26 non-GAAP operating margin was 30.2%, a 140 bps increase year-over-year[9] - Q1'26 non-GAAP EPS was $0.93, a 19% increase year-over-year[9] - Adjusted Free Cash Flow for Q1'26 was $1.71 billion, a 17% year-over-year increase, with an Adjusted FCF Margin of 69.2%[9] Strategic Initiatives and Acquisitions - Palo Alto Networks is acquiring Chronosphere for $3.35 billion in cash and replacement awards[46] - Chronosphere has over $160 million in ARR, growing triple digits year-over-year as of September 2025[36, 46] - The acquisition of CyberArk is on track for Q3 close, reaffirming the FY'28 Adjusted Free Cash Flow Margin target of 40%+[26, 28] SASE and AI Security - SASE ARR exceeded $1.3 billion, growing 34% year-over-year[15] - Palo Alto Networks has approximately 6,800 SASE customers, an 18% year-over-year increase[15, 59]