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Palo Alto Networks Is A Top AI-Driven Cybersecurity Play: Analyst
Benzinga· 2025-05-20 17:59
Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks is expected to report strong fiscal Q3 2025 results, driven by increased cybersecurity deal activity and a focus on platformization, with a price forecast of $225 from Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives [1][8]. Group 1: Financial Projections - The company anticipates Next-Gen Security Annual Recurring Revenue (NGS ARR) between $5.03 billion and $5.08 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 33%-34% [9]. - Palo Alto Networks projects its Remaining Performance Obligation (RPO) to reach $13.50 billion to $13.60 billion, indicating a 19% to 20% year-over-year growth [9]. - For fiscal year 2025, total revenue is expected to increase by 14% year-over-year, with projected revenue of $9.17 billion and EPS of $3.21 [7][9]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on a platformization strategy, which is expected to generate a more stable pipeline of deals, particularly with the increasing adoption of cloud services [2][4]. - Key products driving this strategy include XSIAM and Cortex XDR, which are supported by a steady booking pipeline of multi-million dollar deals [5]. - The recent launch of its AI suite, including Access and security posture management, is anticipated to enhance the scale of its platformization approach [6]. Group 3: Market Position and Trends - Palo Alto Networks is well-positioned to benefit from the AI Revolution, as cybersecurity is increasingly linked to enterprise AI initiatives [6]. - The company is expected to see incremental deal flow as more enterprises adopt AI projects, enhancing its market share in the cybersecurity landscape [5][6]. - The analyst notes that the focus of the upcoming conference call will be on deal metrics and insights from CEO Nikesh Arora, indicating a strong emphasis on performance and growth [7].