Palo Alto Networks (PANW, $235.55) rallies on higher-than-expected fiscal Q2 earnings and $1 billion stock buyback plan
Palo Alto Networks reported better-than-expected earnings for the fiscal second quarter, and also announced a stock buyback program - leading to its shares jumping +11% in after-hours trading Tuesday.
The cybersecurity company raked in adjusted earnings of $1.51 per share in the three months ending January, beating analysts’ estimates of $1.22 per share (based on Refinitiv data). Quarterly revenue of $711.2 million came in higher compared to analysts’ expected $682 million ((based on Refinitiv data). That marks a +30% year-over-year surge in revenue for the quarter. Product revenues, grew +33% to $271.6 million, while those from services increased +29% to $439.6 million.
Palo Alto also announced that its board authorized up to $1 billion in share repurchases, and introduced its Cortex AI-based security platform.
The company is apparently gung-ho in bolstering its cloud solutions and cyber security business. Last week, it announced its $560 million acquisition of Demisto, a startup specializing in security orchestration, incident management and interactive investigation.
For the fiscal third quarter, Palo Alto projects adjusted earnings in the range of $1.23 to $1.25 per share. It expects revenue to be in the range of $697 million to $707 million for the quarter - that puts the midpoint at $702 million, which is higher than the $696.7 million FactSet estimate.
PANW's RSI Indicator stays in oversold zone for 1 day
It is expected that a price bounce should occur soon.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 12 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PANW advanced for three days, in of 365 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
PANW may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on December 18, 2024. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on PANW as a result. In of 78 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
PANW moved below its 50-day moving average on December 18, 2024 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for PANW crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on December 27, 2024. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PANW declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 87, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. PANW’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (20.704) is normal, around the industry mean (31.338). P/E Ratio (43.226) is within average values for comparable stocks, (158.237). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.117) is also within normal values, averaging (2.763). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.084) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (13.038) is also within normal values, averaging (58.727).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
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a provider of network security solutions
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