Core Insights - CyberArk (CYBR) and Qualys (QLYS) are significant players in the cybersecurity sector, focusing on different areas: CyberArk on privileged access management and identity security, while Qualys specializes in vulnerability management and compliance monitoring [1][2] CyberArk Overview - CyberArk is witnessing growth in its identity security offerings, particularly due to the increasing ratio of machine identities to human identities, now exceeding 80 to 1, compared to 45 to 1 a year ago [3] - The company is innovating with AI-based products such as Secure AI Agents and CORA AI, aimed at protecting AI agents from various security threats [4] - However, CyberArk's near-term growth is impacted by changing customer spending behaviors, with companies opting for phased investments in cybersecurity solutions [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects CyberArk's revenue growth rates of 32.3% for 2025 and 18.8% for 2026, with earnings growth rates of 27.4% and 25% respectively [6] Qualys Overview - Qualys has over 10,000 customers and a net dollar expansion rate of 104%, indicating strong customer retention and acquisition [10][12] - The company is enhancing its product offerings, including the launch of the first Risk Operations Center and Qualys TotalAI to mitigate risks associated with generative AI [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates revenue growth rates of 8% for 2025 and 6.5% for 2026, with earnings growth rates of 3.6% and 5.5% respectively [14] Market Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, CyberArk shares have increased by 30.6%, while Qualys shares have decreased by 4.6% [16] - CyberArk is trading at a forward sales multiple of 14.7X, which is significantly higher than Qualys' 7.09X, indicating that CyberArk may be overvalued compared to Qualys [17] Investment Recommendation - Given the current market conditions, Qualys is recommended as a stronger investment option due to its robust growth and customer acquisition strategy, while CyberArk faces near-term challenges [19]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter ARR grew 11% year over year in constant currency, with total ARR reaching $492.7 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year growth on a reported basis [24][26] - First quarter revenue was $118.2 million, exceeding guidance by $2.2 million, representing approximately 4% year-over-year growth on a reported basis [25][26] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $31.6 million, reflecting a 27% margin, which was above the high end of guidance [27][30] - Gross margin for the first quarter was 80.6%, down from 84.7% in the same period in 2024 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue was $116.8 million, representing approximately 5% year-over-year growth on a reported basis [26] - The company ended the quarter with 2,398 customers contributing $50,000 or more of ARR, up approximately 10% year over year [26] - Dollar-based net revenue retention was approximately 101% on both a reported and constant currency basis [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 43% of revenue was generated outside of North America during the quarter [28] - The company is targeting to reach $750 million in ARR by 2028, driven by security success, scaling go-to-market efforts, and boosting customer expansion [8][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its cyber resiliency platform to address the growing demand for security solutions among small and mid-market businesses [7][8] - Key growth pillars include expanding the go-to-market strategy to capture a broader range of channel providers, including resellers and system integrators [18][19] - The company is committed to CMMC 2.0 readiness to enhance its appeal in regulated sectors [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while there is some elongation in deal cycles, overall demand for cyber resiliency solutions remains strong [42][68] - The company is raising its full-year revenue and ARR guidance based on strong first-quarter results and updated foreign exchange rates [29][31] - Management expressed confidence in the growth potential driven by new product launches and channel expansion efforts [30][31] Other Important Information - The company announced a $75 million share repurchase authorization program, indicating confidence in its business [24] - The adjusted EBITDA outlook for the full year is raised to $134 million to $139 million, representing a margin of 27% to 28% [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Contribution of AdLumin acquisition to revenue growth - The AdLumin acquisition contributed approximately $21 million of ARR, which should help in calculating the organic growth rate [36] Question: Considerations for seasonality in ARR - Management expects ARR growth to be consistent throughout the year with slight improvements [37] Question: Market spending environment and customer feedback - Demand for cyber resiliency remains strong, although some deals are taking longer to close [42][68] Question: Dollar-based net retention dynamics - Management expects the current retention rate to be a trough, with improvements driven by cross-sell opportunities [46] Question: Reseller traction and growth potential - The company is in the early stages of expanding its reseller network, with expectations for more significant impacts in 2026 [55][57] Question: Impact of FX on revenue guidance - The increase in revenue guidance is primarily related to FX, with constant currency outlook held steady [66] Question: EBITDA margin expectations - The focus for 2025 is on growth acceleration, with expectations to return to low 30s EBITDA margins in 2026 [71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter ARR grew 11% year over year in constant currency, with total ARR reaching $492.7 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year growth on a reported basis [24][25] - First quarter revenue was $118.2 million, exceeding guidance by $2.2 million, representing approximately 4% year-over-year growth on a reported basis [25][26] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $31.6 million, reflecting a 27% margin, which was above the high end of guidance [26][27] - Gross margin for the first quarter was 80.6%, down from 84.7% in the same period in 2024 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue was $116.8 million, representing approximately 5% year-over-year growth on a reported basis [25] - The company ended the quarter with 2,398 customers contributing $50,000 or more of ARR, up approximately 10% year over year [25] - Dollar-based net revenue retention was approximately 101% on both a reported and constant currency basis [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 43% of revenue was generated outside of North America during the quarter [28] - The company is targeting $750 million in ARR by 2028, driven by three growth pillars: driving security success, scaling go-to-market efforts, and boosting customer expansion [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its go-to-market strategy by partnering with a broader range of channel providers, including resellers and system integrators [18][19] - The launch of new security capabilities and the growth of channel partners are seen as key components of the company's innovation and growth strategy [33] - The company is committed to CMMC 2.0 readiness to enhance its appeal in regulated sectors [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the demand for cybersecurity solutions, noting that the need for cyber resiliency is a must for businesses [42] - Despite some anecdotal evidence of longer sales cycles, the overall demand remains strong, and the pipeline is robust [42][70] - The company raised its revenue and ARR guidance for the full year, reflecting strong first-quarter results and updated foreign exchange rates [29][30] Other Important Information - The company announced a $75 million share repurchase authorization program, indicating confidence in its business [24] - The adjusted EBITDA guidance for the full year was raised, with expectations of $134 million to $139 million, representing a margin of 27% to 28% [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Contribution of AdLumin acquisition to revenue growth - The AdLumin acquisition contributed approximately $21 million of ARR at the time of acquisition, which should help in calculating organic growth rates [36][37] Question: Considerations for seasonality in ARR - Management expects ARR growth to be consistent throughout the year, with slight improvements as the year progresses [38] Question: Market spending environment and customer feedback - Demand for cybersecurity solutions remains strong, with no significant changes in metrics, although some deals are taking longer to close [42][70] Question: Dollar-based net revenue retention dynamics - Management expects the current retention rate to be a trough, with improvements driven by cross-selling opportunities [45][47] Question: Reseller traction and growth potential - The company is in the early stages of expanding its reseller network, with expectations for more significant impacts in 2026 [56][58] Question: Integration of offerings into a single platform - The company is focused on automating workflows and integrating its offerings to enhance efficiency and security for customers [96][100]

Core Insights - Zscaler and Check Point Software are both significant players in the cybersecurity industry, with Zscaler focusing on cloud-based solutions and Check Point transitioning from on-premises to cloud options [1][9] Industry Overview - The cybersecurity market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.63%, with a robust CAGR of 9.4% projected from 2025 to 2030, driven by increasing cyberattacks [2] Zscaler Analysis - Zscaler offers a comprehensive range of enterprise network security solutions, including web security, antivirus, and firewalls, and is well-positioned to benefit from the demand for privileged access security [4][5] - The company has seen a significant increase in sales and marketing (S&M) and research and development (R&D) expenses, which have both been in double digits, impacting near-term profitability [6][7] - Zscaler's fiscal 2026 earnings are estimated at $3.08, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 3.5% [7][8] Check Point Analysis - Check Point provides a variety of software and hardware solutions for IT infrastructure security, with a focus on cloud solutions and subscription-based models that ensure stable recurring revenues [9][10][11] - The company reported security subscription revenues of $292.2 million in Q4 2024, marking a 9.9% year-over-year increase, with 2025 earnings projected at $9.95, indicating an 8.6% growth [11][12] Stock Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, Check Point's stock has increased by 28.9%, while Zscaler's shares have returned 9.5% [13] - Check Point trades at a forward sales multiple of 8.28X, significantly lower than the Zacks Security industry's average of 12.53X, while Zscaler trades at 9.91X, making Check Point's valuation more attractive [14] Conclusion - Check Point is gaining traction with its Quantum Force, Harmony Email, and Infinity platforms, while Zscaler faces challenges from rising operational costs and declining profit margins. Check Point holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), making it a stronger investment option compared to Zscaler, which has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [16]