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Should You Buy, Sell or Hold ZS Stock After a 46% Rise in 3 Months?
ZACKSยท 2025-06-02 16:11
Core Insights - Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) shares have increased by 46% over the past three months, significantly outperforming the Zacks Security industry's return of 10.7% and its peers like CyberArk Software, Palo Alto Networks, and CrowdStrike [1][7] Company Growth and Developments - Zscaler has launched the Asset Exposure Management solution to improve asset risk management and partnered with SAP to integrate its Zero Trust Network Access service within SAP's RISE framework, facilitating cloud migrations and compliance with regulations [2] - The company has expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of Red Canary, enhancing its Managed Detection and Response solutions to address rising cyber threats [3] - Zscaler is integrating artificial intelligence into its products by partnering with NVIDIA and CrowdStrike, enhancing its Zero Trust Security model with advanced AI technologies [4] Financial Performance - In Q3 of fiscal 2025, Zscaler achieved a 12-month trailing dollar-based retention rate of 114%, driven by larger bundle sales and robust upsells [5] - Remaining Performance Obligations increased by 30% year-over-year, with 642 customers generating $1 million or more in annual recurring revenues (ARR) and 3,363 customers with ARR exceeding $100,000 [8] Government Sector Expansion - Zscaler is enhancing its GovCloud solutions to comply with government security standards, serving 14 out of 15 U.S. cabinet-level agencies, which could provide a stable growth stream [9][10] Competitive Landscape - Zscaler faces intense competition from established cybersecurity players like Palo Alto Networks, CyberArk, and CrowdStrike, particularly in its Internet Access and Private Access offerings [11] - The company is investing heavily in sales and marketing to broaden its capabilities, which may impact near-term profitability [12] Earnings Outlook - Zscaler expects non-GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2025 to be in the range of $3.18-$3.19, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $3.06, reflecting a 4% year-over-year decline [13] Valuation Concerns - Zscaler holds a premium valuation with a Forward 12-month P/S ratio of 13.92X, significantly higher than the sector average of 5.54X, indicating potential valuation concerns [15] Investment Recommendation - Despite challenges related to rising costs and premium valuation, Zscaler's investments in AI, innovative cybersecurity capabilities, and strong customer retention make the stock worth holding for now [16]