Okta Inc. (NASDAQ:OKTA) is among the best software infrastructure stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Jonathan Ruykhaver has been bullish on Okta since initiating coverage at the end of March 2025, he characterized the stock as a “contrarian value play” in his latest update early this week. He also reiterated his Overweight rating and $115 price target. As his case for Okta Inc. (NASDAQ:OKTA) as a value play, Ruykhaver highlighted the stock’s steep valuation discount, ...

Industry Overview - The cybersecurity market is projected to witness a CAGR of 12.63% from 2025 to 2030, driven by the rise of complex attacks such as credential theft and social engineering [2]. Company Analysis: CrowdStrike (CRWD) - CrowdStrike specializes in endpoint protection and extended detection and response (XDR) through its Falcon platform, which is recognized as the industry's first multi-tenant, cloud-native, intelligent security solution [4]. - The Falcon platform offers 29 cloud modules via a SaaS subscription model, with subscription-based sales increasing from 72% in fiscal 2017 to 95% in fiscal 2025 [5]. - Despite strong growth, CrowdStrike faces challenges due to negative customer sentiment following a global IT outage in July 2024, leading to a Customer Commitment Package that compresses profitability [6]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year decline of 10.94% in CrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 earnings, with current estimates showing earnings of $3.50 per share for the current year [7][8]. Company Analysis: Okta (OKTA) - Okta focuses on identity and access management, providing cloud-based solutions that enhance user data security, and reported strong growth with $4.08 billion in remaining performance obligations and 4,870 customers with over $100K in Annual Contract Value, a 7% increase year-over-year [10][12]. - The company is well-positioned in identity security, leveraging a broad portfolio that includes solutions for identity governance and privileged access, which are increasingly important due to the rise of non-human identities driven by AI [11][13]. - Okta's revenue and earnings for fiscal 2026 are projected to grow by 9.44% and 16.73%, respectively, indicating a strong growth trajectory compared to CrowdStrike [14]. Valuation and Performance Comparison - Year-to-date, CrowdStrike shares have appreciated by 39.2%, while Okta shares have surged by 26.2% [16]. - Okta is trading at a forward sales multiple of 5.87X, significantly below the industry average of 14.51X, while CrowdStrike's forward sales multiple is 22.93X, suggesting overvaluation [20]. Conclusion - Given the current challenges faced by CrowdStrike, including reputational damage and profitability pressures, Okta's focus on identity solutions and stronger earnings growth potential make it a more attractive investment option in the cybersecurity space [23].