Okta (OKTA) Q2 2026 Earnings Call August 26, 2025 05:00 PM ET Speaker0Hi, everyone. Welcome to Okta's Second Quarter Fiscal twenty twenty six Earnings Webcast. I'm Dave Gennarelli, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at Okta. Presenting in today's meeting will be Todd McKinnon, our Chief Executive Officer and Co Founder and Brett Tye, our Chief Financial Officer. Eric Kelleher, our President and Chief Operating Officer, will join the Q and A portion of the meeting.At around the same time that the ea ...

Key Takeaways Okta shares fell 27.2% in three months, underperforming the sector and industry peers.OKTA projects FY26 revenues of $2.85B to $2.86B and EPS of $3.23 to $3.28, up 16.7% year over year.Okta expands AI-driven identity tools and partnerships while ending Q1 FY26 with $2.73B in cash.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%. The plunge in Okta’s shares c ...

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]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported solid Q1 results with exceptional cash flow and record operating profitability and profit margin [16] - For Q2 FY '26, total revenue growth is expected to be 10%, with current RPO growth of 10% to 11%, and a non-GAAP operating margin of 26% [20] - For the full year FY '26, total revenue growth is projected at 9% to 10%, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 25% and a free cash flow margin of approximately 27% [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The governance portfolio, including Okta Identity Governance, lifecycle management, and workflows, has seen substantial growth, with workflow executions increasing nearly 400% over the past three years [8] - The Auth0 platform performed well, contributing positively to the overall results, particularly following a record Q4 [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The US public sector vertical has shown strength, with significant deals contributing to Q1 results, including federal contracts [18] - International markets experienced a deceleration compared to the US, but specific details on the impact were not disclosed [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on product innovation, with new offerings such as Okta Identity Governance and Auth for GenAI, aimed at addressing evolving cyber threats and enhancing security [7][12] - Okta is positioning itself as a leader in identity security, emphasizing the importance of consolidating disparate identity systems for customers [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong customer conversations and the importance of identity solutions in the context of AI projects [26][30] - There is a cautious approach to guidance due to potential macroeconomic uncertainties, although no immediate impacts were observed in Q1 [28][30] Other Important Information - The company is committed to maintaining its investment levels despite a cautious macro outlook, indicating confidence in long-term growth opportunities [110] - The introduction of suite-based pricing for the Okta platform has shown positive results, with customers interested in purchasing multiple products [62] Q&A Session Summary Question: What factors influenced the additional conservatism in guidance? - Management noted that while Q1 results were strong, there is a cautious tone in the environment, prompting a conservative approach in guidance [28][30] Question: Was there any softness in April? - Management confirmed that there was no softness in April, and performance remained solid throughout the quarter [35] Question: How is the go-to-market specialization progressing? - Management reported a solid start to the specialization process, with strong performance in the Auth0 side and pipeline building [41][42] Question: What is the outlook for new logo pipeline in the workforce business? - Management expressed optimism about the new logo pipeline, highlighting the potential of new products to attract new customers [91][92] Question: How should investors interpret the guidance for CRPO? - Management explained that the guidance reflects a cautious approach due to macroeconomic factors, but emphasized that the underlying business remains strong [55][107]

Core Viewpoint - Okta is expected to report strong fiscal first-quarter 2026 results, with anticipated non-GAAP earnings of 76-77 cents per share and revenues between $678-$680 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year growth [1][2]. Group 1: Earnings and Revenue Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has remained steady at 77 cents per share, indicating an 18.46% year-over-year growth [2]. - The consensus for revenues is pegged at $679.73 million, representing a 10.17% increase from the previous year [2]. Group 2: Customer Growth and Product Portfolio - Okta's expanding product portfolio, particularly in security and identity governance, is expected to drive client acquisition and top-line growth, with 19,650 customers and $4.215 billion in remaining performance obligations reported at the end of fiscal Q4 2025 [3]. - The number of customers with over $100 thousand in Annual Contract Value increased by 7% year-over-year to 4,800 [3]. Group 3: New Product Momentum - Continued momentum from new products such as Okta Identity Governance and Privileged Access is expected to contribute positively to the upcoming quarter, with over 20% of fiscal Q4 bookings coming from these offerings [4]. - Okta Identity Governance has rapidly gained traction, with over 1,300 customers contributing more than $100 million in annual contract value within two years of its launch [5]. Group 4: Partner Ecosystem - Okta benefits from a robust partner ecosystem, including major players like Amazon Web Services, Google, and Salesforce, which enhances its security capabilities [6][7]. - More than 70% of deals in fiscal Q4 2025 were influenced by partners, with Okta surpassing $1 billion in total contract value through its partnership with AWS [7]. Group 5: Stock Performance - Okta shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer & Technology sector, surging 54.9% year-to-date, while the sector has declined by 2% [8]. Group 6: Competitive Landscape - Despite strong product momentum, Okta faces stiff competition from CyberArk and Microsoft, both of which are expanding their presence in the identity and access management space [14]. - Microsoft's Entra identity offering serves over 900 million monthly active users, highlighting the competitive pressure in the market [15].

Industry Overview - Cybersecurity has transitioned from a back-office concern to a boardroom priority due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, with global cybercrime costs projected to rise from $9.22 trillion in 2024 to $15.63 trillion by 2029 [1] - The global cybersecurity market is expected 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] - The growth in the cybersecurity market is driven by increasing enterprise IT complexity, rising regulatory scrutiny, and the need for real-time protection of data, identities, and infrastructure [2] Technological Advancements - Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the cybersecurity landscape, enabling more efficient detection, prevention, and response to cyber threats [3] - AI can analyze large volumes of data, detect anomalies, and identify potential breaches in real time, providing a proactive approach to security [3] Company Highlights - Companies like Fortinet, Zscaler, Okta, and Qualys are heavily investing in AI-driven security solutions to enhance their capabilities and position themselves for long-term growth in the expanding cybersecurity market [4] - Okta specializes in identity and access management (IAM) and is ramping up its AI capabilities to address the complexities of digital identities [6] - Qualys focuses on vulnerability management and cloud security, integrating advanced AI models into its platforms for faster detection and remediation of security threats [10][11] - Fortinet offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions, differentiating itself with high-performance security at lower costs, and has integrated AI-driven analytics into its services [13][14][15] - Zscaler is a pioneer in zero-trust security, enhancing its platform with AI-powered security analytics to improve threat detection and response [16][17][18] Financial Performance - Okta reported 19,650 customers at the end of fiscal Q4 2025, with a 7% year-over-year increase in customers with over $100,000 in Annual Contract Value (ACV) [8] - Qualys' AI-powered platform is expected to drive customer adoption and revenue growth, positioning it well in the market [12] - Fortinet has consistently delivered profitability and strong free cash flow, reflecting its growing market share and demand for AI-enhanced security solutions [15] - Zscaler has maintained robust financial performance with expanding revenues driven by demand for its AI-enhanced offerings [18]