Core Insights - Okta (OKTA) is experiencing strong growth driven by its innovative product offerings, particularly among large-cap clients including Global 2000 companies and government agencies [1][2][3] Group 1: Customer Growth and Adoption - Okta's customer base with annual contract values exceeding $1 million grew by 20% year-over-year, indicating robust enterprise adoption [2][8] - Significant demand is noted from critical sectors such as energy, telecom, and insurance, with clients seeking solutions for employee identity security and API protection [2] - The public sector is contributing to this growth, with four of Okta's top ten deals in Q1 fiscal 2026 coming from U.S. government entities utilizing FedRAMP-compliant solutions [3][8] Group 2: Product Innovations - In response to complex client needs, Okta has launched new solutions including Identity Governance (OIG), Identity Threat Protection (ITP), and Privileged Access (OPA) [2][8] - The Customer Identity Cloud (Auth0) is gaining traction, with notable implementations by a Global 2000 energy company and a major tech reseller switching from Microsoft to Auth0 for enhanced scalability [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - CyberArk Software is a key competitor, known for its comprehensive identity security platform and strong margins, bolstered by recent acquisitions [5] - SailPoint is another competitor, recognized for its Identity Governance & Administration capabilities and extensive partner ecosystem, offering low-code/no-code workflows and AI-driven access recommendations [6] Group 4: Financial Performance and Estimates - Okta's shares have appreciated by 26.1% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's return of 20.2% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Okta's 2026 revenues is $2.86 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 9.44%, with earnings expected to reach $3.28 per share, indicating a growth of 16.73% from fiscal 2025 [10]

Company Performance - CyberArk's stock closed at $383.05, down 1.4% from the previous trading session, underperforming the S&P 500's loss of 0.22% [1] - Over the past month, CyberArk's shares have increased by 3.92%, outperforming the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 2.98% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.45% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings per share (EPS) for CyberArk is projected at $0.79, indicating a 46.30% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue for the upcoming quarter is estimated at $315.43 million, reflecting a 40.37% rise from the equivalent quarter last year [2] Fiscal Year Estimates - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $3.81 per share and revenue at $1.32 billion, representing increases of 25.74% and 31.88% respectively from the prior year [3] - Recent changes in analyst estimates for CyberArk are important as they often reflect shifting business dynamics, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [3][4] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank system, which incorporates estimate changes, currently ranks CyberArk as 2 (Buy), with 1 stocks historically returning an average of +25% annually since 1988 [5] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate for CyberArk has increased by 32.12% [5] Valuation Metrics - CyberArk is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 102.04, which is higher than the industry average of 74.67, suggesting a premium valuation [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 4.2, compared to the Security industry's average PEG ratio of 3.03, indicating a higher valuation relative to expected earnings growth [7] Industry Context - The Security industry, part of the Computer and Technology sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 27, placing it in the top 11% of over 250 industries [8] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Company Overview - Palo Alto Networks (PANW) shares have increased by approximately 10.2% over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] - The most recent earnings report is crucial for understanding the catalysts affecting the stock [1] Earnings Estimates - Estimates for Palo Alto Networks have trended upward in the past month, indicating positive sentiment among analysts [2][4] VGM Scores - Palo Alto Networks has an average Growth Score of C, a Momentum Score of F, and a Value Score of F, resulting in an overall VGM Score of F, placing it in the lowest quintile for investment strategies [3] Outlook - The upward trend in estimates suggests a promising outlook for Palo Alto Networks, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating expectations for an in-line return in the coming months [4] Industry Comparison - Palo Alto Networks is part of the Zacks Security industry, where another player, Qualys (QLYS), has seen a 1% gain over the past month [5] - Qualys reported revenues of $159.9 million for the last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9.7%, with EPS rising from $1.45 to $1.67 [5] - For the current quarter, Qualys is expected to report earnings of $1.47 per share, a decrease of 3.3% from the previous year, with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [6]

Core Insights - Zscaler (ZS) is experiencing strong momentum in its Data Security Everywhere strategy, which is becoming essential across all industries due to the rise of GenAI and security-as-a-service (SaaS) usage [1][4] Group 1: Data Security Expansion - In Q3 FY25, Zscaler's data security capabilities now encompass structured and unstructured data, both in motion and at rest, across various channels including web, email, SaaS, endpoints, and GenAI applications [2][9] - A Fortune 50 automotive customer signed a seven-figure Annual Contract Value (ACV) deal, increasing their annual spend with Zscaler by over 50% to well above $10 million after adopting six out of eight data security modules [3][9] - Zscaler secured another seven-figure ACV deal with a new Fortune 100 food and beverage company, further demonstrating the traction of its data security strategy beyond regulated sectors [4][9] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) are also adapting their platforms to meet enterprise security demands, with PANW highlighting the growing traction of its Prisma Access Browser [5] - CrowdStrike is leveraging its Charlotte AI to enhance automated and scalable cybersecurity, positioning it as a key differentiator in the market [6] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Zscaler's shares have surged 69.1% year to date, significantly outperforming the Security industry's growth of 20.2% [7] - Zscaler trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 15.1X, slightly above the industry average of 14.52X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Zscaler's fiscal 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 0.31%, while fiscal 2026 earnings are expected to grow by 12.13% [14]

Core Insights - Okta's Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) surged to $4.084 billion in Q1 FY2026, a 21% year-over-year increase, with current RPO at $2.23 billion, reflecting strong revenue visibility for the next 12 months [1][8] - The company is experiencing robust demand for its identity security solutions, particularly in areas like Identity Governance and Privileged Access, as enterprises prioritize secure access [2][8] - For Q2 FY2026, Okta projects current RPO growth of 10% to 11%, indicating resilient demand despite macroeconomic challenges [3][8] Competitive Landscape - Okta faces significant competition from CyberArk and Microsoft in the identity and access management sector [4] - CyberArk is enhancing its offerings in Privileged Access Management and expanding into automated Identity Governance through its acquisition of Zilla Security [5] - Microsoft's Entra ID presents a formidable challenge with its comprehensive Identity and Access Management solutions [6] Financial Performance - Okta's stock has appreciated 27.7% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's return of 19.9% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Okta's FY2026 revenues is $2.86 billion, reflecting a 9.44% year-over-year growth, with earnings estimated at $3.28 per share, indicating a 16.73% growth from FY2025 [10] - Okta currently trades at a forward Price/Cash Flow ratio of 23.83, higher than the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's 20.4X, with a Value Score of D [9]

Core Insights - CyberArk (CYBR) is enhancing its identity security platform with AI integration, including the Secure AI Agents Solution and CORA AI, in collaboration with Accenture [1][4][10] Company Developments - The Secure AI Agent solution protects AI Agents from prompt injection, credential leakage, and permission abuse, while CORA AI acts as the intelligence engine within this solution [2] - The integration of CORA AI and Secure AI Agents allows CyberArk to secure human, AI, and machine identities, covering workforce access, IT systems, developer environments, and workload access [3][10] - CyberArk's subscription Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) grew 65% year-over-year in Q1 2025, indicating strong demand for its cybersecurity solutions [4][10] Financial Performance - For 2025, CyberArk expects revenues between $1.313 billion and $1.323 billion, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.32 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 31.89% [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CyberArk's fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 25.41% and 25.76%, respectively, with upward revisions in the past 30 days [12] Market Position - The identity security and access management market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2024 to 2029, providing ample growth opportunities for CyberArk and its competitors like CrowdStrike and Okta [8] - CyberArk's shares have gained 19.8% year-to-date, slightly underperforming the Zacks Security industry's growth of 20.2% [9] Valuation Metrics - CyberArk trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 13.66X, which is lower than the industry's average of 14.54X, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [11]

Company Overview - CyberArk shares have increased by approximately 11.5% since the last earnings report, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] - The most recent earnings report is essential for understanding the key drivers behind this performance [1] Earnings Estimates - Estimates for CyberArk have remained flat over the past month, with a consensus estimate shift of 22.22% [2] VGM Scores - CyberArk has a strong Growth Score of A but a low Momentum Score of D, and a Value Score of F, resulting in an aggregate VGM Score of D [3] Outlook - CyberArk holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating expectations for above-average returns in the coming months [4] Industry Performance - CyberArk is part of the Zacks Security industry, where Qualys has seen a 3.2% gain over the past month [5] - Qualys reported revenues of $159.9 million for the last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9.7% [5] - Qualys is expected to post earnings of $1.47 per share for the current quarter, indicating a 3.3% decrease from the previous year [6]

Core Insights - CyberArk Software (CYBR) reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2025 results with Annual Recurring Revenues (ARR) of $1.22 billion, an increase from $1.17 billion in the previous quarter, and a net new ARR of $46 million driven by subscription growth and identity security platform adoption [1][10] Group 1: Financial Performance - Subscription ARR surpassed $1.03 billion, accounting for nearly 85% of total ARR, with an addition of $51 million in net new subscription ARR, indicating enhanced financial stability and predictability [2][10] - CyberArk aims for full-year fiscal 2025 ARR to reach between $1.41 billion and $1.42 billion, reflecting approximately 21% year-over-year growth, supported by a robust subscription base and new customer additions [5] Group 2: Product Development and Strategy - CyberArk is expanding into artificial intelligence (AI) with its new "Secure AI Agent" product, designed to protect both autonomous and human-controlled AI systems, addressing the growing need for security in AI tools [2][3] - The company reported that machine identity products were featured in nine of the ten largest deals in the quarter, showcasing its capability to protect non-human identities [3] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Zscaler and SentinelOne are also experiencing growth, with Zscaler achieving $2.9 billion in ARR (23% year-over-year growth) and SentinelOne reaching $948 million in ARR (24% year-over-year growth) [6][7] - CyberArk's shares have gained 19.5% year-to-date, compared to the Zacks Security industry's growth of 22% [8] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - CyberArk trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 13.76, which is below the industry's average of 14.77, indicating potential valuation attractiveness [12]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Security industry is experiencing strong demand for cybersecurity products due to the increasing need for secure networks and cloud-based applications, particularly in hybrid work environments [1] - The surge in demand is driven by a significant rise in data breaches, leading companies to seek comprehensive IT security solutions [1] - The industry encompasses both on-premise and cloud-based security solutions, including identity access management, infrastructure protection, integrated risk management, malware analysis, and Internet traffic management [3] Major Trends - Rising cyber threats are escalating the need for robust security solutions, impacting not only individual companies but also national security [4] - The shift towards digital transformation and cloud migration is driving demand for cybersecurity solutions across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and entertainment [5] - Macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical issues may lead enterprises to delay significant IT investments, potentially affecting the security market in the short term [6] Company Performance - Companies like CyberArk Software, Okta, and Qualys are benefiting from the trends in the cybersecurity market [2] - CyberArk Software is experiencing growth due to rising demand for privileged access security solutions, with a strong presence across various sectors [21] - Qualys is well-positioned to navigate market challenges with its diverse customer base and continuous innovation in information security solutions [28] - Okta's identity security solutions are gaining traction as organizations adopt digital transformation strategies, serving approximately 20,000 customers [33] Financial Outlook - The Zacks Security industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 19, placing it among the top 8% of nearly 250 Zacks industries, indicating solid near-term prospects [8] - The industry's bottom-line estimate for 2025 has increased to $1.45 from $1.35, reflecting analysts' optimism about earnings growth potential [10] - Over the past year, the Zacks Security industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500, with a return of 38.3% compared to 11.8% and 11.9% respectively [13] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 14.77, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 5.12 and the sector's 6.37 [16] - Over the last five years, the industry's price-to-sales ratio has ranged from a high of 19.36X to a low of 6.92X, with a median of 12.56X [17]

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks (PANW) achieved a significant milestone in Q3 of fiscal 2025, with annual recurring revenues (ARR) for its next-generation security (NGS) solutions reaching $5.09 billion, marking a year-over-year growth of 34% [1][9] - The company reported a substantial increase in high-value customers, with 130 customers generating over $5 million in NGS ARR, a 41% increase year-over-year, and 44 customers exceeding $10 million, a growth of 63% [2] - AI-related ARR has surged to approximately $400 million, which is 2.5 times higher than the same quarter last year, driven by the success of the XSIAM platform [2] NGS Platform Performance - XSIAM, an AI-powered NGS platform, saw bookings approach $1 billion on a trailing 12-month basis, with around 270 customers and an average ARR per customer exceeding $1 million [3] - The ARR from XSIAM grew over 200% year-over-year in Q3, just 30 months after its general availability [3] Future Growth Projections - Management has set an ambitious target of $15 billion in ARR by fiscal 2030, with NGS ARR expected to contribute approximately 60-70% of the total targeted ARR for fiscal 2023 [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne are also experiencing growth, with CrowdStrike reporting $4.44 billion in ARR (22% year-over-year growth) and SentinelOne reaching $948 million (24% year-over-year growth) [5][6] Valuation and Earnings Estimates - PANW's shares have increased by 6.7% year-to-date, compared to the industry's growth of 19.4% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 12.6, which is below the Zacks Security industry's ratio of 14.47 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PANW's fiscal 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of approximately 15%, while fiscal 2026 estimates suggest an 11% increase [14]