Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is one of the best value stocks in Goldman Sachs’ portfolio. On September 22, 2025, Bank of America Securities analyst Tal Liani reiterated his bullish stance on the stock with a Buy rating and an unchanged price target of $85. Liani pointed to four major growth drivers supporting the outlook: the ongoing campus switching refresh cycle, increasing share in hyperscaler AI infrastructure, improving momentum in security, and synergies from the Splunk acquisition. BofA Reaffir ...

Core Viewpoint - Telos Corporation has released its second quarter financial results for 2025, highlighting its position as a leading provider of cybersecurity, cloud, and enterprise security solutions for highly security-conscious organizations [1][3]. Financial Results - The financial results for the second quarter of 2025 are available on Telos' investor relations website [1]. - A live webcast to discuss these results is scheduled for August 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. ET [2]. Company Overview - Telos Corporation specializes in continuous security assurance for individuals, systems, and information, serving commercial enterprises, regulated industries, and government customers globally [3]. - The company's offerings include IT risk management, information security, cloud security solutions, identity and access management, secure mobility, organizational messaging, and network management and defense [3].

Industry Overview - Rising geopolitical tensions are driving up military budgets, leading to increased investor interest in defense companies like BAE Systems plc (BAESY) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) [1] - The demand for advanced defense technologies, equipment modernization, and national security priorities is expected to benefit these major players in the industry [1] BAE Systems (BAESY) - Recent achievements include contract wins for upgrading Gulfstream aircraft for the Italian Air Force and successful trials of the TRV-150 unmanned aerial system [4][5] - Financial stability is indicated by cash and cash equivalents of $4.59 billion at the end of 2024, with a long-term debt of $9.86 billion [6] - Challenges include global supply-chain disruptions affecting critical components and labor shortages impacting production timelines [7][8] - The 2025 EPS is expected to grow by 37.7%, with a projected revenue of $40.76 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 63.2% [15] - BAESY shares surged 53.9% over the past year, outperforming NOC's 18.3% gain [10][18] Northrop Grumman (NOC) - Recent achievements include the successful test of a second-stage motor for Mars sample return missions and a Memorandum of Understanding with Romania's ROMARM for radar systems [9][11] - Financial stability is shown with cash and cash equivalents of $1.90 billion at the end of Q2 2025, alongside a long-term debt of $15.16 billion [12] - Challenges include labor retention issues and potential impacts from recent trade policy changes leading to higher production costs [13][14] - The 2025 EPS is projected to decline by 3.7%, with revenues expected to grow by 2.7% to $42.13 billion [15] - NOC trades at a lower forward P/E of 21.09X compared to BAESY's 23.23X, indicating a more attractive valuation despite slower growth [18] Comparative Analysis - BAE Systems appears to have a stronger investment opportunity due to rising earnings estimates and better stock performance over the past year [20] - Both companies hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a stable outlook in the defense sector [21]

Core Insights - Cisco Systems (CSCO) is experiencing gross margin expansion due to a flexible and diversified supply chain, productivity improvements, and disciplined cost management, which are expected to positively impact operating margins [1][10] Financial Performance - In Q3 fiscal 2025, Cisco's product gross margin increased by 70 basis points year over year to 67.6%, aided by contributions from Splunk and a favorable product mix in high-margin segments like Security and Observability [2] - The non-GAAP gross margin for Cisco expanded by 30 basis points year over year, reaching 34.5% in the same quarter, exceeding the company's guidance [3] - Cisco anticipates a non-GAAP gross margin for Q4 fiscal 2025 to be between 67.5% and 68.5%, with an expected non-GAAP operating margin between 33.5% and 34.5% [4] Competitive Landscape - Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) is emerging as a significant competitor to Cisco, particularly after its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, offering AI-driven, cloud-native networking solutions, although HPE's gross margins are around 29% compared to Cisco's 65% [6] - Arista Networks (ANET) is a key player in cloud and AI-driven networking, leading in 100-gigabit Ethernet switches, with gross margins around 64%, positioning it as a strong competitor against Cisco [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Cisco's shares have appreciated by 18% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Computer – Networking industry's return of 15.6% [8] - From a valuation perspective, Cisco appears overvalued with a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 4.6, higher than the industry's 4.39X [11] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cisco's earnings is $3.79 per share for fiscal 2025 and $4.00 per share for fiscal 2026, reflecting year-over-year growth of 1.61% and 5.73%, respectively [14]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Security industry is experiencing strong demand for cybersecurity products due to the increasing need for secure networks and cloud-based applications, particularly in hybrid work environments [1] - The surge in demand is driven by a significant rise in data breaches, leading companies to seek comprehensive IT security solutions [1] - The industry encompasses both on-premise and cloud-based security solutions, including identity access management, infrastructure protection, integrated risk management, malware analysis, and Internet traffic management [3] Major Trends - Rising cyber threats are escalating the need for robust security solutions, impacting not only individual companies but also national security [4] - The shift towards digital transformation and cloud migration is driving demand for cybersecurity solutions across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and entertainment [5] - Macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical issues may lead enterprises to delay significant IT investments, potentially affecting the security market in the short term [6] Company Performance - Companies like CyberArk Software, Okta, and Qualys are benefiting from the trends in the cybersecurity market [2] - CyberArk Software is experiencing growth due to rising demand for privileged access security solutions, with a strong presence across various sectors [21] - Qualys is well-positioned to navigate market challenges with its diverse customer base and continuous innovation in information security solutions [28] - Okta's identity security solutions are gaining traction as organizations adopt digital transformation strategies, serving approximately 20,000 customers [33] Financial Outlook - The Zacks Security industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 19, placing it among the top 8% of nearly 250 Zacks industries, indicating solid near-term prospects [8] - The industry's bottom-line estimate for 2025 has increased to $1.45 from $1.35, reflecting analysts' optimism about earnings growth potential [10] - Over the past year, the Zacks Security industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500, with a return of 38.3% compared to 11.8% and 11.9% respectively [13] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 14.77, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 5.12 and the sector's 6.37 [16] - Over the last five years, the industry's price-to-sales ratio has ranged from a high of 19.36X to a low of 6.92X, with a median of 12.56X [17]

Core Insights - Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (GRRR) shares increased by 14.6% following announcements of share repurchases and insider ownership updates, indicating renewed investor confidence driven by strategic corporate actions and improving fundamentals [1][2] - The company has executed over $1.8 million in share repurchases in April and May, contributing to a total buyback of $5.4 million [1][2] - Insider ownership has risen to nearly 20% due to additional purchases by directors and officers, reflecting confidence from corporate leadership [2] Financial Performance - Gorilla reported a 15.4% year-over-year revenue growth to $74.67 million in 2024, attributed to strong sales growth and effective execution [3] - The company is undergoing a business transformation plan focusing on high-margin segments such as AI-based video analytics and cybersecurity solutions, with significant reductions in selling and marketing costs, R&D costs, and G&A expenses [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Gorilla's EPS in 2025 and 2026 suggests improvements of 112.4% and 32.9% year-over-year, respectively, with revenue estimates indicating increases of 54.6% and 26% for the same periods [4] Future Outlook - Gorilla plans to report its first-quarter 2025 results in June, with EPS estimated at $0.01 and revenues at $20 million [5] - The company expects gross margins for 2025 to be at the top end of the 40-50% range and anticipates EBITDA margins of 20-25% for the full year [5] - Gorilla has a backlog of $93 million for 2025 and $67 million for 2026, with over $2 billion in signed contracts and an additional $4.6 billion in late-stage contracts [13] Market Position - Over the past year, Gorilla's shares have surged by 225.9%, outperforming the industry average of 37.2% [6] - The company trades at a forward P/S of 2.97X, which is in line with the industry average, while competitors like Allot and AppLovin trade at higher multiples [9] - Gorilla operates in high-growth segments such as AI, IoT, and cybersecurity, which are expected to expand rapidly, supported by increasing global investments in digital security and automation [11][12] Financial Health - As of the end of 2024, Gorilla's total cash position was $37.5 million, with outstanding debt at $21.4 million, and plans to reduce debt by selling property in Taipei [14]

Core Insights - Zscaler's stock has increased by 18.2% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's return of 14.8%, leading investors to consider whether to hold or take profits [1] Group 1: Performance and Demand - The demand for Zscaler's cybersecurity solutions is strong, driven by increasing threats such as nation-state cyber warfare and ransomware attacks [1] - Zscaler achieved a 12-month trailing dollar-based retention rate of 115% in Q2 fiscal 2025, supported by larger bundle sales and robust upsells [2] - Remaining Performance Obligations increased by 28% year over year, indicating strong future revenue commitments [2] Group 2: Government Sector Expansion - Zscaler is enhancing its GovCloud solutions to comply with government security standards, expanding its presence among government agencies [3] - The company added one cabinet-level agency client in Q4, bringing its total to 13 out of 15 U.S. cabinet-level agencies, indicating growth potential in the public sector [4] Group 3: AI Integration and Partnerships - Zscaler is implementing generative AI in its offerings, collaborating with NVIDIA and CrowdStrike to enhance its cybersecurity solutions [5][6] - The integration of NVIDIA's AI technologies strengthens Zscaler's Zero Trust Security model, improving its capabilities in threat intelligence and real-time insights [6] Group 4: Financials and Investments - Zscaler's revenue for fiscal 2025 is projected to increase by 22.2% year over year, reflecting strong demand for its products [8] - Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses rose by 12.9% year over year to $237.5 million, accounting for 36.7% of Q2 fiscal 2025 revenues, indicating aggressive market strategies [10] - R&D expenses surged by 34.7% year over year to $105 million, representing 16.2% of total revenues, highlighting the company's commitment to innovation [11] Group 5: Valuation Concerns - Zscaler's premium valuation is evident with a Forward 12-month P/S ratio of 11.56X, significantly higher than the sector average of 5.71X, raising concerns about overvaluation [12] Group 6: Investment Recommendation - Despite the premium valuation, Zscaler's AI innovations and strong position in the Zero Trust security space suggest it is a stock worth retaining, currently holding a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [15]