Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3, the company reported strong performance driven by large customers and upsells, particularly with new products like Okta Identity Governance [6][14] - The company ended the quarter with nearly $2.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, indicating a strong balance sheet [17] - For Q4, the company expects total revenue growth of 10%, current RPO growth of 9%, non-GAAP operating margin of 25%, and free cash flow margin of approximately 31% [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New products such as Okta Identity Governance and Okta Privileged Access are contributing significantly to results, helping customers reduce complexity and improve security [7][14] - The company has seen a record number of customers and partners engaging with its new products, particularly in the AI security space [8][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has over 20,000 customers, positioning it well to become the identity layer for AI agents [9] - There is a growing interest in agentic security solutions, with over 100 current customers representing over $200 million in existing ARR [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on securing AI agents and non-human identities, which is seen as a critical growth opportunity [8][12] - The strategy includes expanding go-to-market specialization and increasing the number of quota-carrying sales representatives to meet demand [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming Q4, which is expected to be the largest quarter of the year, and highlighted the positive trends in sales productivity and customer interest in new products [14][18] - The company is confident in its strategy to capture emerging opportunities in the identity security space, particularly related to AI [14][35] Other Important Information - The company has been investing in innovation, with a focus on simplifying customer interactions through product suites [7] - The management team emphasized the importance of consolidating identity management solutions to enhance security and reduce complexity for customers [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What convinces customers to consolidate their identity management with Okta? - Management indicated that technological changes, particularly related to AI, are driving customers to consolidate their identity management solutions with Okta [24][26] Question: Can AI capabilities be deployed by non-Okta customers? - Management confirmed that while many customers are interested in AI capabilities, they are primarily focused on existing Okta customers for deployment [30][33] Question: How does the company view the market for AI and identity security? - Management sees a significant market opportunity in securing AI agents, with a potential TAM larger than existing identity markets [34][35] Question: What is the outlook for next year? - Management refrained from providing specific guidance for FY27 but expressed confidence in the business momentum and upcoming Q4 performance [40][48] Question: How is the sales realignment affecting performance? - Management reported positive results from the sales realignment, with improved AE productivity and lower attrition rates [80][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 FY 2026, the company reported total revenue growth of 10% and raised its full-year revenue growth outlook to 11% [17][18] - The non-GAAP operating margin for Q4 is expected to be 25%, with a full-year margin of 26% [17][18] - Free cash flow margin is projected at approximately 31% for Q4 and around 29% for the full year [17][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strength with large customers and upsells in its workforce segment, particularly with new products like Okta Identity Governance [6][7] - New products are contributing significantly to results, with a record number of customers engaging with Okta's offerings [7][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has over 20,000 customers, positioning it well to become the identity layer for AI agents [9][10] - There is a surge in interest for agentic security solutions, with over 100 current customers representing more than $200 million in existing ARR [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on securing AI agents and non-human identities, which is seen as a critical growth opportunity [8][12] - Okta is investing in innovation and expanding its product portfolio to simplify customer interactions and enhance security [7][14] - The strategy includes increasing the number of quota-carrying sales representatives to meet growing demand [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming Q4, which is expected to be the largest quarter of the year, and highlighted strong business momentum [44][46] - The company is confident in its strategy to capture emerging opportunities in the identity security space, particularly related to AI [14][35] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with nearly $2.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, indicating a strong balance sheet [17] - The company is evaluating its capital structure and considering investments in business growth, M&A, and opportunistic repurchases of outstanding notes [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What convinces customers to consolidate their identity management with Okta? - Management noted that technological changes, particularly related to AI, are driving customers to consolidate their identity management systems with Okta [24][26] Question: Can AI capabilities be deployed by non-Okta customers? - Management confirmed that while many customers are interested in AI capabilities, the deployment can be applicable to any company, not just existing Okta customers [30][33] Question: How does the company view its guidance for the next fiscal year? - Management refrained from providing specific guidance for FY 2027, citing the need to assess Q4 performance first, but expressed confidence in business momentum and growth opportunities [40][48] Question: What is the status of the sales realignment efforts? - Management reported positive outcomes from the sales realignment, with improved sales productivity and lower attrition rates among account executives [80][81] Question: How is the company addressing the challenge of agentic commerce? - Management highlighted the importance of Auth0 for AI Agents in enabling businesses to build and manage agents effectively, addressing security and access challenges [59][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 FY26, the company reported total revenue growth of 10% and raised its full-year FY26 revenue growth outlook to 11% [16][17] - The non-GAAP operating margin for Q4 is expected to be 25%, with a full-year FY26 margin of 26% [16][17] - Free cash flow margin is projected at approximately 31% for Q4 and around 29% for the full year FY26 [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strength with large customers and upsells in the Okta workforce, particularly with new products like Okta Identity Governance [4][5] - New products are contributing significantly to results, with a record number of customers attending the Octane conference to learn about Okta's AI security solutions [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has over 20,000 customers, positioning it well to become the identity layer for AI agents [8] - There has been a surge in interest for agentic security solutions, with over 100 current customers engaged, representing over $200 million in existing ARR [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on securing AI agents and managing non-human identities, which is seen as a significant growth opportunity [6][7] - Okta is investing in innovation and expanding its product portfolio to simplify customer interactions and improve security [5][12] - The strategy includes increasing the number of quota-carrying sales representatives to meet growing demand [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategy and momentum heading into the largest quarter of the year [12][17] - The emergence of AI technology is driving demand for Okta's solutions, as organizations seek to secure their AI agents [6][29] - Management noted that the government shutdown did not significantly impact Q3 results, and they remain optimistic about expanding presence in the public sector [13][14] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with nearly $2.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, indicating a strong balance sheet [16] - The company is evaluating its capital structure and considering investments in business growth, M&A, and opportunistic repurchases of outstanding notes [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss what convinces customers to consolidate their identity management with Okta? - Management indicated that technological changes, particularly related to AI, are driving customers to consolidate their identity management systems with Okta [19][22] Question: Can you provide insights on the interest in AI capabilities and potential revenue uplift? - Management noted that there is significant interest in AI capabilities, with many customers looking to integrate AI workflows into their operations, which could lead to increased spending [25][28] Question: How does the company view its sales realignment efforts and their impact on net retention? - Management expressed confidence in the effectiveness of sales realignment, noting improved sales productivity and low attrition rates, which should positively impact net retention [62][67] Question: Can you comment on the guidance for Q4 and FY27? - Management stated that Q4 is the largest quarter, and they are embedding conservatism in guidance due to its significance, with a clearer outlook expected after Q4 [40][70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported solid Q2 results with total revenue growth of 10% to 11% for FY '26, an increase from previous guidance of 9% to 10% [18] - Non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be between 25% to 26% for FY '26, up from previous estimates [18] - Free cash flow margin is projected to be approximately 28% for FY '26, indicating improved profitability and cash flow [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The public sector business showed strong performance with multiple new business and upsell deals, including significant contracts with the DOD [15][16] - New products from Okta Identity Governance, Okta Privilege Access, and others contributed positively to revenue, highlighting the success of the unified identity platform [5][12] - The company experienced a record pipeline generation, reflecting improved sales productivity from specialized go-to-market teams [13][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Five of the top ten deals in Q2 were with the US public sector, indicating strong demand in this market [16] - The company noted that the macroeconomic uncertainties previously affecting guidance did not materialize, allowing for a more optimistic outlook [13][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building an identity security fabric that secures all identities, including AI agents, emphasizing the importance of independence and neutrality in the identity market [7][11] - The acquisition of Acxiom Security is expected to enhance Okta's Privilege Access capabilities and support the integration of new technologies [6][73] - The company aims to consolidate identity solutions for customers, reducing vendor complexity and operational costs [42][46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategy and execution, noting that the go-to-market realignment is showing positive signals [13][19] - The company is optimistic about the adoption of new products and the rapid pace of innovation, positioning itself to lead the identity industry [19] - Management highlighted the importance of addressing current identity security challenges as organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies [70][71] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with approximately $2.9 billion in cash and short-term investments, indicating a strong balance sheet [17] - The upcoming Oktane Conference will showcase innovations and provide insights into the company's future direction [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: What indicators are used for guidance and NRR stabilization? - Management noted that NRR has stabilized and emphasized the importance of sales productivity and pipeline generation as indicators for future guidance [20][24][26] Question: What trends are seen in AI native customer adoption? - Management indicated that AI native customers are growing rapidly and are focused on securing their internal operations, similar to other customer cohorts [32][34] Question: Why is identity critical as an independent platform? - Management explained that identity must be independent to reduce fragmentation and operational complexity, allowing companies to consolidate vendors effectively [42][46] Question: How is the sales force productivity evolving? - Management reported increased productivity from specialized sales teams and noted record pipeline generation, reflecting the success of their go-to-market strategy [56][60] Question: What is the monetization strategy for cross-app access? - Management stated that cross-app access will enhance the value of identity providers and will be monetized through existing products while addressing current identity security challenges [102][104]

Core Insights - Okta (OKTA) shares have declined 27.2% in the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's return of 15.4% and the Zacks Security industry's fall of 8.5% [1][7] - The decline is attributed to slowing federal business, challenging macroeconomic conditions, and stiff competition in the Identity and Access management domain [1][10] Financial Performance - For fiscal 2026, Okta expects revenues between $2.85 billion and $2.86 billion, indicating 9-10% growth from fiscal 2025 [10] - Non-GAAP earnings are projected between $3.23 and $3.28 per share, suggesting 16.7% growth year-over-year [11] - Second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues are anticipated to be between $710 million and $712 million, reflecting 10% year-over-year growth [12] Market Position - Okta shares are currently trading below the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bearish trend [5] - The company's Value Score is D, indicating that Okta shares are overvalued compared to peers like Cisco [9] Product and Innovation - Okta is expanding its AI-driven identity tools and partnerships, which are expected to drive long-term growth [7][13] - The launch of the Cross App Access protocol aims to enhance security for AI agents, reflecting Okta's commitment to protecting customers deploying AI [14] Partnerships and Liquidity - Okta has a rich partner base, including major companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Palo Alto Networks, with over 7,000 integrations [16] - The company ended Q1 FY26 with $2.73 billion in cash, indicating strong liquidity, and raised free cash flow margin guidance to roughly 27% [18] Customer Growth - Okta exited Q1 FY26 with approximately 20,000 customers, with a notable increase in customers with over $100,000 in Annual Contract Value [19]

Company Performance - CyberArk Software (CYBR) shares have increased by 27.2% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Zacks Security industry's growth of 7.2% [1][7] - In Q2 2025, CyberArk's subscription revenues reached $264 million, marking a year-over-year growth of 66% [4] Growth Drivers - CyberArk's identity security offerings have surpassed 10,000 active users globally, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44% projected from 2020 to 2024 [4] - The company anticipates a total addressable market of $80 billion, indicating substantial growth potential [4] - CyberArk has implemented AI solutions, including CyberArk Secure AI Agents Solution and CORA AI, enhancing its identity security platform [5] - Strategic partnerships with major tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud have bolstered CyberArk's market position [9][10] Acquisitions and Market Position - CyberArk has expanded its capabilities through acquisitions, including Zilla Security and Venafi, which have improved its expertise in identity governance and machine identity [6] - The identity security and access management market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2024 to 2029, positioning CyberArk favorably [6] - CyberArk serves over 5,400 global businesses, including more than 50% of the Fortune 500 and 35% of the Global 2000 companies [9] Financial Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CyberArk's 2025 earnings is $3.86, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 27.4% [6][8] - CyberArk trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 14.14X, which is above the industry average of 11.95X [14] Competitive Landscape - The identity security market is competitive, with players like CrowdStrike, Okta, and Cisco also integrating AI into their offerings [12][13] - CyberArk has invested significantly in enhancing its sales and marketing capabilities to maintain its competitive edge [13]

Core Insights - Okta shares closed at $95.63, approximately 25% below the 52-week high of $127.57, with a year-to-date appreciation of 21.3%, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the Zacks Security industry [1][9] - The company has a strong liquidity position with $2.73 billion in cash and investments, and a free cash flow margin guidance raised to roughly 27% for fiscal 2026 [7][9] - Okta's innovative product portfolio and extensive partner base are driving customer growth and revenue, with over 20,000 customers and a significant increase in high-value contracts [15][16] Performance Comparison - Okta has outperformed peers such as CyberArk, Cisco, and Microsoft year to date, with respective share price appreciations of 12.9%, 15.9%, and 20% [2] - In terms of valuation, Okta is trading at a forward Price/Cash Flow of 22.51X, which is higher than the broader sector's 22.03X but lower than CyberArk's 73.58X and Microsoft’s 28.88X [8][10] Product and Market Position - The company is benefiting from strong demand for its new products, including Identity Governance and AI-powered capabilities, which enhance security and user experience [3][9] - Okta's new protocol, Cross App Access, aims to secure AI agents and improve security compliance, reflecting the company's commitment to protecting customers deploying AI [14] Financial Guidance - For fiscal 2026, Okta expects revenues between $2.85 billion and $2.86 billion, indicating a growth of 9-10% from fiscal 2025, with non-GAAP earnings guidance raised to $3.23-$3.28 per share [17][18] - The second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue guidance is between $710 million and $712 million, suggesting a 10% year-over-year growth [19][20] Conclusion - Despite facing macroeconomic challenges and a competitive landscape, Okta's innovative portfolio and expanding customer base position it favorably for growth, supported by a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of A [21]

Industry Overview - Cybersecurity has evolved into a major business priority due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, which can result in significant financial losses and brand damage [1][2] - The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $193.73 billion in 2024 to $562.72 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% [2] Technological Advancements - Traditional security tools are becoming inadequate against modern threats, leading to a shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) for proactive threat detection and response [3] - AI technologies are being integrated into cybersecurity solutions to automate detection processes and enhance threat intelligence capabilities [10] Key Companies CyberArk - CyberArk focuses on identity security solutions and is leveraging AI to enhance its offerings, particularly with its Secure AI Agent solution [6][8] - The company’s unified platform provides critical capabilities for managing AI-driven identities, which positions it well in the identity security market [7] Fortinet - Fortinet is recognized as a leader in network security, offering a range of solutions including next-generation firewalls and AI-driven threat intelligence [9] - The FortiAI platform utilizes deep learning to automate threat detection, contributing to the company's strong financial performance and market share growth [10][11] Okta - Okta specializes in identity and access management, significantly enhancing its AI capabilities to address the complexities of digital identities [13] - The company’s Identity Threat Protection solution employs machine learning to monitor and mitigate identity risks in real time, focusing on non-human identities [14][15] - Okta has a growing customer base, with a notable increase in high-value contracts, indicating strong market traction [16]

Group 1: Company Strategy and Developments - Okta is enhancing its identity protection efforts by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its security strategy, enabling real-time detection and response to identity-based threats [1] - The company's AI approach supports a growing portfolio that includes Identity Governance, Privileged Access, Fine-Grained Authorization, Device Access, and Identity Security Posture Management, while also expanding tools to protect non-human identities like service accounts and bots [2] - A significant boost to Okta's AI-driven vision comes from a new partnership with Palo Alto Networks, creating a unified security architecture for automated threat detection and response [3][4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Okta faces increasing competition in the identity and access management (IAM) space from CyberArk Software and Microsoft [5] - CyberArk has shown strong growth with a 43% revenue increase in Q1 2025, bolstered by acquisitions and a robust position in identity security [6] - Microsoft's Entra ID presents a significant challenge with over 900 million monthly active users and advanced IAM tools, reinforcing its dominance in secure identity solutions [7] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Okta's shares have appreciated 18.8% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's return of 15.6% [8] - The company is trading at a forward Price/Cash Flow ratio of 21.44, slightly below the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 21.7X, with a Value Score of D [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Okta's Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings is 84 cents per share, indicating a 16.67% year-over-year growth, while the fiscal 2026 earnings estimate is $3.28 per share, suggesting a 16.73% growth over fiscal 2025 [13][15]

Industry Overview - The digital economy has elevated cybersecurity from a background IT concern to a top priority for businesses, as they face increasing cyber threats such as ransomware, data breaches, and phishing attacks [1] - The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $193.73 billion in 2024 to $562.72 billion by 2032, reflecting a strong CAGR of 14.3%, driven by the complexity of IT systems, tighter regulations, and the need to protect sensitive data [2] Technological Advancements - Traditional security tools are becoming inadequate against smarter and faster cyberattacks, leading to a shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) for proactive threat detection and response [3] - AI is being integrated into cybersecurity solutions to analyze large volumes of data, enabling companies to automate detection and response processes [3] Company Highlights - **CyberArk Software (CYBR)**: Focuses on identity security solutions, leveraging AI to enhance its leadership in the identity security space with innovations like the Secure AI Agent solution [6][8] - **Qualys (QLYS)**: Specializes in vulnerability management and cloud security, enhancing its AI capabilities to improve threat detection and remediation [9][10] - **Okta (OKTA)**: Concentrates on identity and access management, ramping up AI capabilities to address the complexities of digital identities, with innovations like Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI [12][13] - **A10 Networks (ATEN)**: Advances its AI-driven cybersecurity strategy through acquisitions and scalable solutions, positioning itself for growth in AI data center deployments [15][16][17] Market Positioning - CyberArk's unified platform offers critical capabilities for identity security, enhancing its market relevance and customer value proposition [7][8] - Qualys' AI-powered platform is expected to drive customer adoption and long-term revenue growth [11] - Okta's growing customer base, particularly among Fortune 500 clients, positions it as a compelling long-term investment [14] - A10 Networks is well-placed to benefit from the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, supported by strong margins and disciplined capital allocation [17]