Core Viewpoint - The Auditing Standards Board (ASB) is seeking public comment on proposed updates to US attestation standards, focusing on sustainability-related information and emerging assurance areas [1][2]. Group 1: Proposed Revisions - The planned revisions aim to reflect changes in attestation practices, with accountants increasingly engaged in assurance beyond traditional financial statement audits, including sustainability reporting, digital assets, cybersecurity, and governance [2]. - The exposure draft will consist of two main components: updating core attestation standards to align with current practice developments and introducing two new AT-C sections specifically for sustainability information reporting [2][3]. Group 2: Consultation Process - The ASB has not yet determined the length of the consultation, but it will last for at least 120 days from the publication date [1]. - The exposure draft outlining the proposed amendments is scheduled for online release on February 26 [3]. Group 3: ASB's Role - The ASB is the senior committee of the AICPA authorized to set auditing, attestation, and quality management standards for audits of non-issuers and attestation engagements [4]. - It is responsible for developing a comprehensive framework to support practitioners in delivering objective audit and attestation services [5].

Core Viewpoint - Coupang, Inc. is facing a class action lawsuit due to allegations of misleading investors regarding its cybersecurity measures, particularly related to a significant data breach affecting 33.7 million accounts, which went undetected for nearly six months [2][7]. Group 1: Allegations and Impact - The lawsuit claims that Coupang misrepresented its "proactive security" and "administrative safeguards" while failing to detect a data breach that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information [2][7]. - The breach has resulted in a compensation plan of approximately $1.2 billion (1.685 trillion won) and the resignation of CEO Park Dae-joon, leading to a loss of over $8 billion in market value [2][7]. - Coupang acknowledged awareness of the cybersecurity incident on November 18, 2025, just 11 days before public disclosure, indicating a significant delay in informing stakeholders [7]. Group 2: Investigation and Legal Proceedings - Hagens Berman, a shareholder rights firm, is investigating the claims and has set a lead plaintiff deadline of February 17, 2026, for investors who suffered losses during the class period from May 7, 2025, to December 16, 2025 [1][5]. - The investigation focuses on Coupang's alleged failure to maintain adequate internal controls that allowed unauthorized access to customer accounts [7]. - The firm is encouraging affected investors to contact them for potential participation in the lawsuit [1][5].

Core Insights - ICF has achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, demonstrating its commitment to federal cybersecurity standards [1][2][3] Group 1: Certification and Compliance - The CMMC Level 2 certification indicates ICF's adoption of cybersecurity practices that protect controlled unclassified information across its operations [2] - This certification allows ICF to assist federal clients in mitigating delays in obtaining Authorizations to Operate (ATO), facilitating quicker program launches and reducing implementation risks [2][3] Group 2: Company Commitment and Strategy - ICF's Chief Technology Officer, Kyle Tuberson, emphasized that securing CMMC Level 2 certification is a significant milestone that reflects the company's dedication to high cybersecurity standards to meet defense contract requirements [4] - The company focuses on providing advanced data modernization solutions to safeguard federal systems against evolving cyber threats [4] Group 3: Company Overview - ICF is a leading global solutions and technology provider with approximately 9,000 employees, combining industry expertise with advanced analytics to address complex challenges [5] - Since its establishment in 1969, ICF has collaborated with public and private sector clients to navigate change and shape the future [5]

Core Insights - AvePoint, Inc. launched its AgentPulse Command Center to address companies' Agentic AI needs, highlighting its commitment to innovation in data protection and cyber sectors [1] - The company is recognized as a global leader in data protection, providing a unified platform for data security, governance, and resilience [3] Company Overview - AvePoint serves over 25,000 customers, offering the AvePoint Confidence Platform to secure and govern data across various cloud environments including Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce [3] - The company has a global partner ecosystem comprising 5,000 managed service providers (MSPs), value-added resellers (VARs), and system integrators (SIs), with solutions available in over 100 cloud marketplaces [3] Leadership Profile - Mario Carvajal, as Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, oversees the AvePoint brand and marketing strategy, while also focusing on growth initiatives including corporate development and strategic partnerships [4] - With over 17 years at AvePoint, Mario has held multiple executive roles, showcasing his extensive experience in strategic vision and business development [5]

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Coupang, Inc. for allegedly making false statements regarding its cybersecurity and regulatory compliance during the specified Class Period from May 7, 2025, to December 16, 2025 [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims that Coupang had inadequate cybersecurity measures, which increased the risk of a data breach and potential regulatory scrutiny [3]. - Investors became aware of the company's cybersecurity issues through revelations starting in November 2025, which indicated that a former employee had access to sensitive customer information for nearly six months without detection [4]. - Following these disclosures, the price of Coupang securities experienced significant declines [4]. Group 2: Investor Information - Investors who purchased Coupang securities during the Class Period have until February 17, 2026, to seek appointment as lead plaintiff representatives [2]. - The law firm Berger Montague PC is leading the class action and provides contact information for interested investors [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Coupang is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and operates a diverse platform that includes retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services primarily for users in South Korea [2].

Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) is currently trading at a high price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple, raising concerns about its valuation amid slowing growth trends [2][6][9]. Valuation and Comparisons - PANW's forward 12-month P/E ratio is 74.26X, which is higher than the Zacks Security industry's ratio of 73.32X, indicating that PANW stock is overvalued [2]. - The stock trades at a premium compared to industry peers such as Check Point Software (19.67X), Fortinet (30.76X), and Okta Inc. (23.66X) [3]. Recent Acquisitions - In January, Palo Alto Networks completed the acquisition of Chronosphere for $3.35 billion, which is approximately 21 times Chronosphere's annual recurring revenue (ARR) of around $160 million [7]. - The company is also in the process of acquiring CyberArk Software for about $25 billion, expected to close by the second half of fiscal 2026, raising investor concerns about the management of two large acquisitions simultaneously [8]. Growth Trends - PANW is experiencing a slowdown in revenue growth, with a current growth rate in the mid-teens, down from mid-20s in fiscal 2023 [11]. - The company forecasts full-year revenue growth for fiscal 2026 to be in the range of 14-15%, with the first quarter of fiscal 2026 showing a 16% year-over-year revenue increase [12]. - Next-Generation Security (NGS) ARR growth has also decelerated, with expectations for fiscal 2026 growth at 26-27%, down from 32% in fiscal 2025 and over 45% in fiscal 2024 [14]. Market Performance - PANW shares have declined 21.1% over the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Security industry's decline of 19.2% and its peers like Fortinet, Okta, and Check Point Software [15]. - The stock has dipped below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bearish trend [18]. Conclusion - Despite being a leader in cybersecurity with a strong long-term growth trajectory, the slowing revenue and NGS ARR growth rates suggest limited near-term upside for PANW stock, which carries a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) [20].

Financial Performance - For Q3 FY2026, total revenue was approximately $251 million, consistent with the same period last fiscal year, and diluted earnings per share totaled $1, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [5][16] - For the first nine months of FY2026, revenue was approximately $656 million, a 6% year-over-year increase, with diluted earnings per share of $1.96, up 15% from $1.70 in the prior year [5][20] - Gross profit margin was 82.8% in Q3, consistent with the prior year, while operating margin increased to 35.9% from 35.6% year-over-year [19][20] Business Line Performance - Service assurance revenue increased approximately 5% year-over-year for the first nine months, driven by growth in enterprise customer verticals, particularly from government-related spending [6][20] - Cybersecurity revenue grew 9% year-over-year during the same period, reflecting strong demand in response to a complex cyber threat landscape [8][20] - Product revenue for Q3 was $121.7 million, down from $128.2 million last year, while service revenue increased 4.1% to $129 million [16][20] Market Insights - The U.S. represented 57% of total revenue, while international markets accounted for 43% during the first nine months of FY2026 [21] - The enterprise customer vertical accounted for approximately 58% of total revenue, with a 9.4% growth, while service provider vertical revenue grew 2.2% [20][21] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on product innovation, returning to annual revenue growth, and enhancing margins through disciplined cost management [13][14] - The competitive landscape in the service provider sector is characterized by price pressures and budget constraints, particularly in the context of 5G initiatives [43][44] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding demand signals, noting potential supply chain challenges that could affect order timing [26][27] - The company raised its revenue outlook for FY2026 to a range of $835 million to $870 million, reflecting solid execution and continued demand for its solutions [23][24] Other Important Information - NETSCOUT's Omnis Cyber Intelligence was recognized as a 2025 CyberSecured Award Winner, highlighting its advanced capabilities in network security [9] - The company ended Q3 FY2026 with $586.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, representing an increase of $93.7 million since the end of FY2025 [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you comment on demand trends and if they are improving? - Management noted that demand signals are similar or improving, but supply chain challenges could delay order timing [26][27] Question: Can you quantify the pull-ins this quarter? - Approximately $15 million in pull-ins were noted, impacting both product and service revenue [28] Question: How did customer budgets work in pulling orders from one quarter to another? - Customers often pull orders based on their fiscal year-end budgets, which can lead to demand in one quarter that reflects budget utilization from another [33][35] Question: What is driving the service assurance business? - The service assurance business is seeing growth from traditional service triage and AI use cases, with Smart Data being a key differentiator [36][37] Question: How is the supply chain impacting product growth margins? - Management indicated that while supply chain issues could affect timing, they do not significantly impact margins due to the software-centric nature of the business [46][48]

Financial Performance - For Q3 FY2026, total revenue was approximately $251 million, consistent with the same period last fiscal year, and diluted earnings per share totaled $1, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [5][16] - For the first nine months of FY2026, revenue was approximately $656 million, a 6% year-over-year increase, with diluted earnings per share of $1.96, up 15% from $1.70 in the prior year [5][20] - Gross profit margin was 82.8% in Q3, consistent with the prior year, while operating margin increased to 35.9% from 35.6% [19] Business Line Performance - Service assurance revenue increased approximately 5% year-over-year for the first nine months, driven by growth in enterprise customer verticals, particularly from government-related spending [6][20] - Cybersecurity revenue grew 9% year-over-year for the first nine months, reflecting strong demand in response to a complex cyber threat landscape [8][20] Market Insights - The U.S. represented 57% of total revenue, while international markets accounted for 43% during the first nine months of FY2026 [21] - The enterprise customer vertical accounted for approximately 58% of total revenue, while service provider verticals accounted for 42% [20] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on product innovation, returning to annual revenue growth, and enhancing margins through disciplined cost management [13] - NETSCOUT is well-positioned to support advancements in 5G network slicing and AI observability solutions, despite competitive pricing pressures from smaller players in the service provider market [7][44] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised the midpoint of revenue and earnings outlook for FY2026, now expecting revenue in the range of $835 million to $870 million, reflecting solid execution and demand for solutions [23] - Management expressed caution regarding supply chain challenges that could impact order timing, although demand for solutions remains strong [26][47] Other Important Information - NETSCOUT's Omnis Cyber Intelligence was recognized as a 2025 CyberSecured Award Winner, highlighting its advanced capabilities in network security [9] - The company ended Q3 FY2026 with $586.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, representing an increase of $93.7 million since the end of FY2025 [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you comment on demand signals and if they are improving? - Management noted that demand signals are similar or improving, but supply chain challenges could delay order timing [26] Question: Can you quantify the pull-ins this quarter? - Approximately $15 million in pull-ins were noted, impacting both product and service revenue [28] Question: How are customer budgets impacting order timing? - Customers may pull orders from their fiscal year-end budgets, leading to earlier purchases in NETSCOUT's Q3 [33] Question: What is driving the service assurance business? - The service assurance business is seeing growth from traditional service triage and AI use cases, with Smart Data being a key differentiator [36] Question: How is the supply chain impacting product growth margins? - Supply chain issues primarily affect order timing rather than margins, as most revenue comes from services and software [47]

Financial Performance - For Q3 FY2026, total revenue was approximately $251 million, consistent with the same period last fiscal year, and diluted earnings per share totaled $1, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [5][17] - For the first nine months of FY2026, revenue reached approximately $656 million, a 6% year-over-year increase, with diluted earnings per share of $1.96, up 15% from the previous year [5][20] - Gross profit margin for Q3 was 82.8%, consistent with the prior year, while operating margin increased to 35.9% from 35.6% year-over-year [19] Business Line Performance - Service assurance revenue increased approximately 5% year-over-year for the first nine months, driven by growth in enterprise customer verticals, particularly from government-related spending [6][20] - Cybersecurity revenue grew 9% year-over-year during the same period, reflecting strong demand in response to a complex cyber threat landscape [9][20] - Product revenue for Q3 was $121.7 million, down from $128.2 million the previous year, while service revenue increased by 4.1% to $129 million [18] Market Insights - The U.S. market represented 57% of total revenue, while international markets accounted for 43% during the first nine months of FY2026 [21] - The enterprise customer vertical accounted for approximately 58% of total revenue, with a 9.4% growth, while service provider vertical revenue grew 2.2% [20] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on product innovation, achieving annual revenue growth, and enhancing margins through disciplined cost management [14] - The competitive landscape in the service provider sector is characterized by price pressures and budget constraints, particularly in the context of 5G initiatives [44] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding demand signals, noting that while demand remains strong, supply chain challenges could impact order timing [26][28] - The company raised its revenue outlook for FY2026 to a range of $835 million to $870 million, reflecting solid execution and continued demand for its solutions [23] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 FY2026 with $586.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, representing an increase of $93.7 million since the end of FY2025 [21] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $59.4 million, with no outstanding balance on the $600 million revolving credit facility [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you comment on demand trends and any improvements? - Management noted that demand signals are similar or improving, but supply chain challenges could delay order timing [26][27] Question: Can you quantify the pull-ins this quarter? - Approximately $15 million in pull-ins were noted, impacting both product and service revenue [29] Question: How did customer budgets work in pulling orders from one quarter to another? - Customers often pull orders based on their fiscal year-end budgets, which can lead to demand in one quarter being fulfilled from budgets allocated for another [34] Question: What AI use cases are driving the service assurance business? - Traditional service triage and enhanced data usage for AI-related applications are key drivers, with a noted contribution of about $15 million for the nine months [36][39] Question: How is the service provider business impacted by competitive dynamics? - There is no direct competitive pressure from smaller players, but budget constraints and price pressures are present [44] Question: How are supply chain issues affecting product growth margins? - Supply chain issues primarily affect timing rather than margins, as the company focuses on software solutions [46][48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross billings increased by 2.9% to $1.06 billion compared to $1.03 billion from the prior year [6] - Gross profit rose 4.5% year-over-year to $135.6 million, with gross margin expanding 100 basis points to 19.3% [8] - Total net sales were $702.9 million, down 0.8% from last year due to challenges in the public sector [8][9] - Diluted earnings per share were $0.82, an increase of 5.1%, while adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.91, an increase of 16.7% compared to the prior year [11][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Business Solutions segment net sales increased 4.2% to $273.5 million, with gross profit rising 11.4% to $69.8 million [8][9] - Public Sector Solutions net sales were $90.8 million, down 36.8% from a year ago, with gross billings declining 23.7% to $170.7 million [9] - Enterprise Solutions net sales increased 11.9% to $338.7 million, with gross profit growing 7.1% to $48.2 million [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail net sales grew 22%, driven by large deployments as retailers invest in technology [21] - Financial services net sales were up 28%, with gross profit increasing 13% year-over-year [21] - Healthcare net sales grew 19%, with gross profit improving 18% year-over-year [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand its solutions-led business, deepen customer relationships, and drive profitable growth in cloud, cybersecurity, AI, and services [11][12] - The strategy includes advancing data center modernization, digital workplace transformation, and supply chain solutions [24][26] - The company expects to outperform the U.S. IT market by 200 basis points in 2026 [26] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in long-term trends supporting the business, despite near-term headwinds like memory supply constraints and inflation [12][30] - The company is focused on operational efficiencies and expense management, with a disciplined approach to capital allocation [20][24] - Management noted that the backlog ended Q4 at its highest level since 2022, indicating strong future demand [26] Other Important Information - The company executed a voluntary retirement offering, resulting in a severance charge of $3.1 million, with expected ongoing annual cost savings of approximately $7 million to $8 million [17][20] - A quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share was paid, and an additional $50 million was authorized for the share repurchase program [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expected IT market growth for 2026? - Management indicated a blended growth number of around 4% for the U.S. IT market, with internal growth expectations slightly higher [29][30] Question: Why is the company reducing headcount despite a healthy IT market? - The headcount reduction is driven by system improvements and productivity gains from AI, with no additional reductions anticipated [31][32] Question: What was the sales cadence during Q4? - A marked increase in December revenue was noted, with over 38% of the quarter's revenue occurring in that month due to budget consumption and preemptive ordering [40] Question: Were memory supply constraints an issue in Q4? - Management stated that while some price increases were observed, they did not significantly affect Q4 results, and customers were advised to order early due to anticipated constraints [41][42]