Core Insights - Zscaler, Inc. reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results with non-GAAP earnings of 96 cents per share, exceeding estimates by 12.94% and showing a year-over-year increase of 23.6% driven by higher revenues and effective cost management [1][9] - The company's revenues for the first quarter reached $788.1 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.91% and management's guidance, reflecting a 26% year-over-year growth [2][9] - Zscaler raised its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $3.282-$3.301 billion, up from the previous forecast, indicating strong market demand and performance [7] Financial Performance - Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 24.5% year over year to $630 million, while the gross margin contracted by 100 basis points to 80% [5] - Non-GAAP operating income rose to $172 million from $90 million in the previous year, with the operating margin expanding by 100 basis points to 22% [5] - Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) reached $5.9 billion, a 35% increase year over year, indicating strong future revenue commitments [3][9] Customer Growth - Zscaler added multiple large customers across its offerings, ending the quarter with 698 customers generating $1 million or more in annual recurring revenues (ARR) [4] - The total customer count for ARR exceeding $100,000 reached 3,754 by the end of the first quarter [4] Cash Flow and Balance Sheet - As of October 31, 2025, Zscaler had $3.32 billion in cash and short-term investments, down from $3.57 billion as of July 31, 2025 [6] - The company generated operating cash flow of $448.3 million and free cash flow of $413.3 million during the first quarter [6] Future Guidance - For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Zscaler projects revenues between $797 million and $799 million, with non-GAAP earnings per share expected between 89 cents and 90 cents [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues is $794.38 million, indicating a year-over-year growth of 22.6% [10]

Core Insights - Fortinet is enhancing its cloud-first, AI-driven growth model by expanding FortiCloud with new offerings like FortiIdentity, FortiDrive, and FortiConnect, aiming to create a unified ecosystem that boosts automation and recurring revenue streams [1][9] - The integration of AI into FortiCloud is emphasized through the expansion of the FortiAI suite, which includes tools designed to secure AI infrastructure and improve operational efficiency [2] - Fortinet's strategy supports a long-term shift towards subscription-based, high-margin cloud services, with management projecting sustained billings momentum backed by significant infrastructure investments [3] Financial Projections - Fortinet's total revenues are expected to grow by 13% in 2025 and 10% in 2026, reflecting the positive impact of the FortiCloud evolution [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fortinet's earnings is projected at $2.52 per share for 2025 and $2.77 per share for 2026, indicating year-over-year earnings growth of 6.33% for 2025 and 9.83% for 2026 [14][15] Competitive Landscape - Fortinet faces competition from Zscaler, which excels in cloud-native security with its SaaS-based platforms, and Palo Alto Networks, which offers advanced security solutions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments [5][6] - Zscaler's agility and scalability in cloud-first environments contrast with Fortinet's hybrid hardware-cloud model, which appeals to enterprises needing deeper on-prem integration [5] - Palo Alto Networks' comprehensive solutions command higher costs but deliver superior security performance, making them a preferred choice for large organizations [6] Valuation and Market Performance - Fortinet shares have declined by 12.1% year to date, underperforming the Zacks Security industry's 23.2% rally and the broader Computer and Technology sector's 22.8% growth [7] - The company appears overvalued with a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 8.8, compared to the sector's average of 6.9, and carries a Value Score of D [11]

Core Viewpoint - Zscaler's recent earnings report shows strong performance with significant revenue and earnings growth, indicating a positive trend leading up to the next earnings release [2][3][9]. Financial Performance - Zscaler reported Q4 fiscal 2025 non-GAAP earnings of 89 cents per share, exceeding estimates by 11.3% and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 23.6% [2]. - Revenues for Q4 reached $719.2 million, surpassing estimates by 1.9% and management's guidance, with a year-over-year growth of 21% [3]. - Calculated billings increased by 32% year over year to $1.2 billion, with the Americas contributing 55% of revenues [4]. Customer Metrics - As of July 31, Zscaler had 664 customers with annualized recurring revenues (ARR) of $1 million or more, and 3,494 customers with ARR exceeding $100,000 [5]. Operating Details - Non-GAAP gross profit rose 18.5% year over year to $570.1 million, while the gross margin contracted to 79.3% [6]. - Non-GAAP operating income increased to $158.9 million, with an operating margin of 22.1% [6]. Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - Zscaler's cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $3.57 billion as of July 31, 2025, up from $3.01 billion in April 2025 [7]. - The company generated operating cash flow of $250.6 million and free cash flow of $171.9 million in Q4 [7]. Guidance - For fiscal 2026, Zscaler forecasts revenues between $3.265 billion and $3.284 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share expected in the range of $3.64 to $3.68 [9]. Industry Context - Zscaler is part of the Zacks Security industry, which has seen positive performance from peers like CrowdStrike, which reported a 21% year-over-year revenue increase [13].

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is experiencing significant growth in its Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) business, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) increasing by 36% year-over-year in Q3 FY25, outpacing the overall market growth by more than double [1][9] Group 1: SASE Business Performance - SASE is the fastest-growing segment for Palo Alto Networks, driven by the success of Prisma Access Browser, which accounted for one-third of all Prisma Access seats sold during the quarter [2][9] - Since acquiring Talon 18 months ago, Palo Alto Networks has sold three million license seats, representing over a tenfold increase from the previous year [2] - The company now has approximately 6,000 SASE customers, reflecting a 22% year-over-year increase, with 40% of new customers in Q3 being net new to the company [3][9] Group 2: Market Trends and Competitive Landscape - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is pushing more applications and data into the cloud, positioning the browser as a new interface for work, which aligns with Palo Alto Networks' SASE strategy [4] - Key competitors in the SASE space include Zscaler and Fortinet, both of which are expanding their offerings in browser-based security and SASE solutions [5][6] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Palo Alto Networks shares have gained 8.9% year-to-date, compared to a 20.2% growth in the security industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 12.69X, which is lower than the industry's average of 14.52X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 15.14% and 11.19%, respectively, with upward revisions in estimates over the past 30 days [14]

Core Insights - Zscaler operates in the rapidly growing SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) market, which is attracting new entrants and raising concerns about potential commoditization [1] - The company is focusing on expanding beyond its historical markets of ZIA (Zscaler Internet Access) and ZPA (Zscaler Private Access) to identify new growth opportunities [1] - There is an observed acceleration in orders and bookings, indicating positive growth trends for Zscaler [1] Company Strategy - Zscaler is addressing the challenge of new market entrants by exploring strategies to differentiate its offerings and mitigate commoditization risks [1] - The company is actively seeking to grow its business by venturing into new areas beyond its established services [1] Market Dynamics - The SASE market is characterized by fast growth, presenting both risks and opportunities for companies like Zscaler [1] - The competitive landscape is evolving, necessitating a proactive approach from Zscaler to maintain its market position [1]

Summary of Zscaler (ZS) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Zscaler (ZS) - **Industry**: Cybersecurity, specifically focusing on Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust security models Key Points and Arguments Market Dynamics - SASE is a rapidly growing space with increasing competition and new entrants [1] - Zscaler is experiencing accelerating order bookings and growth beyond its historical markets of ZIA (Zscaler Internet Access) and ZPA (Zscaler Private Access) [1][2] Growth Opportunities - Zscaler identifies three major areas of opportunity: 1. Data security, which is becoming increasingly complex, especially with AI integration [5] 2. Agentic operations, leveraging AI to enhance security and IT operations [5] 3. Expansion into new markets beyond traditional offerings [5][12] Zero Trust Security Model - The concept of Zero Trust is evolving, with a shift from user-centric to encompassing cloud workloads, IoT, and AI agents [7][9] - Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange is positioned as a comprehensive solution for secure communication across various entities [9] Product Development and Innovation - Zscaler has expanded its offerings to include a B2B collaboration exchange and enhanced capabilities for securing AI applications [9] - The company emphasizes the importance of a single vendor for data protection to simplify complex data protection policies [11] Customer Engagement and Sales Strategy - The sales approach has shifted from transactional to account-focused, enhancing customer relationships and sales productivity [62] - Zscaler's solutions are designed to reduce costs significantly for customers, with examples of cost reductions of 50-70% for large enterprises [33] Competitive Landscape - Zscaler faces competition from traditional firewall companies that are attempting to pivot to SASE solutions, but the company believes these offerings do not meet the true Zero Trust criteria [38][39] - The company maintains a strong brand reputation among CIOs and CISOs, focusing on ROI and value delivered rather than just pricing [44] Financial Performance and Metrics - Zscaler reported over $350 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) from data security, indicating strong growth potential in this area [75] - The company is focused on upselling existing customers, with a reported 40% increase in new logo Annual Contract Value (ACV) year-over-year [56] Data Protection Strategy - Zscaler's approach to data security emphasizes securing data rather than the network itself, positioning itself as a leader in Data Loss Prevention (DLP) [69] - The company has developed a flexible pricing model (Z Flex) to allow customers to choose and adapt their data protection modules according to their needs [78] Future Outlook - Zscaler is optimistic about the future, with plans to expand its Zero Trust offerings to branches and workloads, indicating a phased approach to market penetration [37][50] - The company is committed to continuous innovation and customer satisfaction, aiming to delight customers and win more business [86] Additional Important Insights - The transition to Zero Trust is seen as essential for modern cybersecurity, moving away from traditional firewalls and SD WANs [26] - Zscaler's focus on simplifying security operations and reducing complexity is viewed as a critical factor for resilience in enterprises [34][35] - The company acknowledges the presence of late adopters in the market but believes that its solutions will eventually become mainstream as more enterprises recognize the need for Zero Trust [36]

Summary of Zscaler (ZS) Update / Briefing June 03, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Zscaler (ZS) - **Focus**: Cybersecurity solutions with a strong emphasis on Zero Trust architecture and AI integration Key Industry Insights - **Zero Trust Architecture**: Zscaler has evolved its Zero Trust strategy from ZIA (Zscaler Internet Access) to ZPA (Zscaler Private Access) and ZDX (Zscaler Digital Experience), now promoting "Zero Trust Everywhere" as a comprehensive security approach [5][8][34] - **Data Security Growth**: Data security is identified as one of the fastest-growing areas for Zscaler, with significant investments in AI to enhance detection and prevention capabilities [5][6][13] - **AI Integration**: The company is embedding AI across its operations, particularly in security operations, to improve efficiency and effectiveness in threat detection and response [6][20][39] Core Strategic Initiatives - **Acquisitions**: The acquisition of Red Canary is aimed at enhancing Zscaler's security operations capabilities, leveraging their expertise in threat detection and incident response [17][39] - **Agentic Operations**: Zscaler is developing "agentic task agents" that utilize AI to automate security operations, improving the speed and accuracy of threat investigations [16][39][42] - **Zero Trust in Branch and Cloud**: Zscaler is expanding its Zero Trust framework to include branch locations and cloud environments, integrating SD-WAN capabilities to eliminate the need for traditional firewalls [46][48] Financial and Operational Highlights - **Customer Engagement**: Zscaler has seen strong validation from analysts and customers regarding its Zero Trust branch and cloud solutions, with significant deployments in various sectors, including finance and healthcare [47][49] - **Market Positioning**: The company positions itself against traditional firewall solutions, advocating for a firewall-free approach in cloud environments, which is gaining traction among enterprises [66][81] Important Metrics and Data - **Data Processing**: Zscaler processes over 500 billion signals daily, providing a unique vantage point for threat detection and response [97] - **Customer Base**: The company has a large and satisfied customer base, which is crucial for its growth and market penetration [98] Additional Insights - **Identity Security**: Zscaler emphasizes the importance of identity in its Zero Trust framework, integrating with identity vendors to enhance security posture [100][104] - **Proactive Security Measures**: The company is focusing on proactive security measures, including continuous threat exposure management and vulnerability assessments [31][34] - **Customer Testimonials**: Customers like FICO have reported successful implementations of Zscaler's solutions, highlighting the effectiveness of their Zero Trust approach [55][57] Conclusion Zscaler is strategically positioned to lead in the cybersecurity space with its innovative Zero Trust solutions and AI-driven security operations. The company's focus on integrating acquisitions and enhancing its product offerings will likely drive future growth and market share expansion.

Core Insights - Zscaler reported strong third-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with non-GAAP earnings of 84 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12% and reflecting an 18.3% year-over-year increase driven by revenue growth and cost management [1][3] - The company's revenues for the third quarter reached $678 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.8% and management's guidance, marking a 23% year-over-year growth [2][3] - Following the positive results, Zscaler raised its fiscal 2025 guidance, which is expected to positively impact its stock performance [3] Financial Performance - Zscaler's calculated billings increased by 25% year over year to $784.5 million, with the Americas contributing 54% of revenues, EMEA 30%, and Asia Pacific and Japan 16% [4] - The non-GAAP gross profit rose by 20.8% year over year to $544.15 million, while the non-GAAP gross margin contracted by 100 basis points to 80% [7] - Total non-GAAP operating expenses accounted for 58.6% of revenues, increasing by 21% year over year to $397.5 million, resulting in a non-GAAP operating income of $146.7 million [7] Customer Metrics - Zscaler added multiple large customers across its offerings, achieving a net 12-month trailing dollar-based retention rate of 114% [5] - The company had 642 customers with annualized recurring revenues (ARR) of $1 million or more, and 3,363 customers with ARR exceeding $100,000 at the end of the third quarter [6] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of April 30, 2025, Zscaler had $1.99 billion in cash and short-term investments, down from $2.88 billion as of January 31, 2025 [8] - The company generated operating cash flow of $211.1 million and free cash flow of $119.5 million during the third quarter [8] Updated Guidance - Zscaler revised its fiscal 2025 revenue forecast to a range of $2.659-$2.661 billion, up from $2.640-$2.654 billion, indicating a growth of 22.18% from fiscal 2024 [9] - The company expects calculated billings to be in the range of $3.184-$3.189 billion, an increase from the previous guidance [9] - Non-GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2025 are now projected between $3.18 and $3.19, compared to the previous guidance of $3.04-$3.09 [10]

Core Viewpoint - Zscaler's stock price has been on an upward trend over the past six months, driven by market sentiment and other factors, despite a deteriorating short-term outlook and weak leading indicators [1][2][16] Financial Performance - In Q2, Zscaler generated $648 million in revenue, a 23% year-over-year increase, although below the expected 25% growth [12] - The annual recurring revenue (ARR) at the end of the quarter was $2.7 billion, also reflecting a 23% year-over-year growth [12] - The remaining performance obligation (RPO) grew 28% year-over-year to $4.615 billion, while total calculated billings increased 18% to $743 million [12] - The company expects Q3 revenue to be between $665 million and $667 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 20-21% [12] Customer Growth and Retention - Zscaler saw a strong net customer increase in Q2, with the number of customers generating $100,000 in annual revenue growing by 19% and those generating $1 million growing by 28% [14] - The net retention rate improved to 115% in Q2, indicating a recovery in customer retention [14] Market Position and Strategy - Zscaler continues to promote its zero-trust model, questioning the advantages of SD-WAN and most SASE architectures, focusing on reducing attack surfaces and eliminating lateral threat propagation [4] - The upcoming device refresh cycle presents an opportunity for Zscaler to convert customers from traditional architectures [4] - The company is expanding its offerings from user protection to workloads, OT devices, and B2B users [6] Product Development and AI Integration - Zscaler views artificial intelligence as a tailwind for demand and product development, particularly in data security [10] - The company has launched AI analytics solutions, with the ACV of its AI analytics product line nearly doubling year-over-year in Q2 [10] Sales and Operational Efficiency - Zscaler has shifted to a customer-centric sales model, which initially led to sales personnel turnover but is now stabilizing with improved productivity [11] - The company is expected to continue increasing the number of sales representatives, which should support growth in the near term [11] Competitive Landscape - Zscaler faces significant competition in the SASE market, and its ability to leverage the device refresh cycle will be crucial for its architecture and customer perception [1][4] - The company is actively promoting the benefits of its zero-trust approach to attract new customers [4] Challenges and Outlook - Despite the overall improvement in investor confidence towards SaaS companies, Zscaler acknowledges that the environment remains challenging [1] - The demand environment for 2025 appears to be deteriorating, contrasting with expectations for stability or improvement in 2024 [2] - Zscaler's growth rate is slowing, but the company still has substantial long-term growth opportunities [6][19]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 was $648 million, representing a 23% year-over-year increase and a 3% sequential increase [39] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) grew 23% year-over-year to over $2.7 billion, with a net retention rate (NRR) improving to 115% [8][39] - Total calculated billings increased 18% year-over-year to $743 million, with unscheduled billings growing over 25% year-over-year [40] - Operating profit grew by 36%, leading to a 2 percentage point improvement in operating margin to nearly 22% [9][39] - Free cash flow margin reached a record of 22% [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Zero Trust Branch solution saw significant customer interest, with 57% of customers being new logo customers [17] - Data protection solutions experienced over 40% year-over-year growth in net new annual contract value (ACV) [19] - The number of customers with over $1 million in ARR grew by 25% year-over-year [17][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Geographic revenue distribution: Americas accounted for 54%, EMEA for 30%, and APJ for 16% [39] - The company ended Q2 with 620 customers generating over $1 million in ARR and 3,291 customers generating over $100,000 in ARR [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on the "Zero Trust Everywhere" initiative, aiming to triple the number of enterprises adopting this model within 18 months [14][36] - The strategy includes targeted campaigns to educate customers on transitioning from legacy security stacks to Zero Trust solutions [13][36] - The company is leveraging the upcoming hardware refresh cycle to promote its solutions, emphasizing cost savings and improved security [13][104] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while there is ongoing scrutiny of large deals, the demand for cybersecurity solutions remains strong [104][110] - The company expects to achieve $3 billion or more in ARR by the end of the fiscal year, driven by strong demand and sales productivity [8][37] - Management highlighted the importance of partnerships with global system integrators (GSIs) in driving growth and closing deals [32][66] Other Important Information - The company is investing in AI solutions, with AI analytics driving strong growth and nearly doubling year-over-year [28][27] - The company has hired a new EVP of AI innovations to accelerate the development of AI solutions [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: How much of the business is coming from ZIA and Secure Web Gateway replacements versus broader platform products? - Management indicated that ZIA is often a starting point, but many customers are now adopting a broader platform that includes ZIA, ZPA, and CDx [52] Question: What proves that the go-to-market changes are making a difference? - Management cited the strength of the pipeline, double-digit growth in new ACV, and increased engagement with C-level executives as indicators of success [58] Question: Can you provide insight into the NRR improving to 115%? - Management noted that larger deals and upsells are contributing to the NRR, with expectations of continued growth in this area [75][76] Question: Can you elaborate on the 8-figure APAC government deal? - Management described it as a landmark deal focused on cybersecurity rather than ROI, with significant upsell opportunities in the government sector [81][83] Question: How is the company addressing the need for data classification? - Management explained that AI is being utilized for data classification, and the platform can work alongside other providers' classifications for policy enforcement [90][92] Question: What is the competitive landscape for Zero Trust solutions? - Management stated that competition primarily comes from legacy firewall vendors and that Zero Trust solutions eliminate the need for traditional security appliances [146]