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CrowdStrike(CRWD) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved net new ARR of $194 million, exceeding expectations and contributing to an ending ARR of over $4.4 billion, reflecting a 22% year-over-year growth [6][35]. - Subscription gross margin stood at 80%, showcasing the efficiency of the AI platform, while total gross margin was reported at 78% [7][36]. - Free cash flow reached $279 million, representing 25% of revenue, with a record cash flow from operations of $384 million [7][37]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Falcon Flex model has shown significant adoption, with a total account deal value of $3.2 billion across 820 accounts, growing 31% sequentially and more than six times year-over-year [7][9]. - The next-gen SIEM business delivered triple-digit ending ARR growth, indicating strong market demand and successful displacement of legacy products [25][26]. - The cloud business experienced strong growth, with net new and total ARR accelerating year-over-year, supported by the launch of new technologies [21][22]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The geographic revenue mix for Q1 consisted of approximately 67% from the U.S. and 33% from international markets, indicating a balanced global presence [35]. - The MSSP channel contributed over 15% of Q1 deal value, reflecting significant growth in this area compared to previous years [28][102]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on consolidating point products and enhancing customer experience through the Falcon Flex subscription model, which is driving faster adoption and increased spending [8][11]. - There is a strong emphasis on AI-driven solutions, with the introduction of Charlotte AI to enhance security operations and automate processes [19][81]. - The strategic realignment plan aims to optimize investments in key growth areas such as cloud, identity, exposure management, and next-gen SIEM [40][41]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in improving sequential net new ARR growth in Q2 and a reacceleration in the back half of FY 2026, driven by strong demand for the Falcon platform and Falcon Flex [34][38]. - The company anticipates a continued need for cybersecurity solutions in an increasingly complex threat environment, positioning itself as a leader in protecting AI agents and workloads [31][82]. - The share repurchase authorization of up to $1 billion reflects management's confidence in long-term growth prospects and cash flow generation capabilities [33][34]. Other Important Information - The company reported a GAAP net loss of $110.2 million, which included $39.7 million in expenses related to outages [37]. - The company expects a temporary divergence between ARR and subscription revenue due to the impact of customer choice programs [39]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Falcon Flex and its impact on sales - Management noted that Falcon Flex has significantly changed the sales approach, focusing on outcomes rather than individual modules, leading to faster adoption and increased ARR [48][52]. Question: Divergence between revenue growth and ARR growth - Management explained that the divergence is due to amortization impacts from customer choice programs, which affect revenue recognition differently than ARR [56][57]. Question: Budgeting for reflex deals - The company highlighted that discussions around budget adjustments occur during demand planning, allowing customers to replace point products and achieve better outcomes [61][64]. Question: Changes in sales compensation and market response - Management reported positive feedback from the sales force and customers, indicating a successful transition back to business following previous disruptions [68][71]. Question: Trends in the macro environment - Management emphasized strong execution and customer demand, particularly for next-gen SIEM, despite external market noise [93]. Question: Competitive positioning in the next-gen SIEM market - The company identified Splunk and QRadar as key legacy competitors being displaced, with a focus on delivering better value and performance [97][99]. Question: Momentum in the MSSP channel - Management discussed significant growth in the MSSP channel, highlighting the ease of deployment and strong demand from customers [102][103]. Question: Vision for identity management space - The company aims to deepen its capabilities in identity management, responding to customer demand for consolidated solutions that save costs [108][109].