Palo Alto Networks (PANW) on Monday reported earnings and earnings for the July quarter that beat Wall Street targets on strong growth in large contracts. Guidance for PANW stock came in above expectations as the company also announced that its board of directors approved a 3-for-1 stock split.
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Palo Alto said it expects to be profitable in fiscal 2023 using generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP). The news sent Palo Alto stock up 5.9% to nearly 538 in extended trading on the stock exchange today.
For fiscal 2023, the company is forecasting adjusted earnings per share in a range of $9.40 to $9.50, compared to estimates of $9.23.
Palo Alto said it expects revenue in a range of $6.85 billion to $6.9 billion. Palo Alto forecast billings in a range of $8.95 billion to $9.05 billion. Analysts were forecasting revenue of $6.74 billion and billings of $8.56 billion. This corresponds to growth of around 23% and 20% respectively.
Also on Monday, the cybersecurity firm announced that trading in PANW shares will begin on September 14 on a split-adjusted basis. The company has approved an additional $915 million in its share repurchase program.
Palo Alto reported after the close that earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter were up 49% on an adjusted basis to $2.39 per share. Including acquisitions, revenue increased 27% to $1.6 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of $2.28 per share on sales of $1.54 billion.
PANW stock: relative strength rating at 88 out of 99
PANW stock is down 8% in 2022. According to the IBD Stock Checkup, she has a relative strength rating of 88 out of a best possible 99.
Meanwhile, the company has spent over $3.4 billion on 10 acquisitions over the past three years. With roots in the “firewall” network security market, Palo Alto aims to build a broad cloud-based security platform.
Firewall appliances protect computer networks by blocking online attacks and monitoring web-based apps.
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Follow Reinhard Krause on Twitter @reinhardtk_tech for updates on 5G wireless, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing.
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