Core Insights - The cybersecurity market is projected to grow significantly, reaching $351.9 billion by 2030, with Fortinet and Qualys as key players addressing critical security needs [1][2] - Organizations are increasing their security budgets by 15% in 2025 due to escalating cyber threats [2] Fortinet (FTNT) - Fortinet reported a revenue growth of 14% year-over-year to $1.63 billion in Q2 2025, with billings increasing by 15% to $1.78 billion [4] - The company maintains a strong market position with its Security Fabric platform and leadership in network firewalls, but faces challenges in sustaining growth momentum [4][5] - Following its earnings announcement, Fortinet's stock dropped 17% in after-hours trading, indicating investor concerns about future growth despite beating earnings estimates [5] - The guidance for Q3 revenues is between $1.67 billion and $1.73 billion, suggesting a moderation in growth trajectory [5] - The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is $2.51 per share, indicating a 5.91% year-over-year growth [6] Qualys (QLYS) - Qualys demonstrated a 10% revenue growth to $164.1 million in Q2 2025, with 82% GAAP gross margins, showcasing operational efficiency [7] - The launch of the AI-powered Risk Operations Center positions Qualys as a leader in next-generation threat management, with the ability to reduce risk exposure by 85% and accelerate remediation by 70% [7] - Qualys raised its 2025 revenue guidance to $656-662 million, representing 8-9% growth, while maintaining strong profitability metrics [9] - The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is $6.35 per share, indicating a 3.59% year-over-year growth [10] Valuation and Performance Comparison - Fortinet trades at a P/E ratio of 30.18, while Qualys trades at a more attractive P/E ratio of 19.88, indicating better relative value for Qualys [11][8] - Fortinet's stock has dropped over 25% from its 52-week high and is down 14.5% year to date, while Qualys has shown more stability with a decline of 6.8% year to date [14] Conclusion - Qualys is viewed as a more compelling investment opportunity due to its innovative AI-driven platform, superior margins, and attractive valuation [18] - The focus on autonomous risk management positions Qualys for accelerated growth in the face of increasing security threats [18]