Zscaler's Stock Plummet 18.83% on Q2 Earnings Shock

4. Sept.

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS), a prominent cloud security platform, experienced a significant drop of 17.8% in pre-market trading after its latest earnings release. While the company beat analysts' expectations on billings, revenue, and operating income for the quarter, its guidance for billings in the upcoming year fell short of market expectations. This mixed outlook has investors questioning the company’s near-term growth potential.

Strengths and Concerns
Zscaler’s recent quarter was a mix of positives and negatives. On the bright side, Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) reported $592.9 million in sales, beating the expected $567.9 million, and delivered adjusted earnings of $0.88 per share, significantly higher than the forecasted $0.69 per share. The company also made strides towards GAAP profitability by reducing its losses from $1.40 per share in fiscal 2023 to $0.39 per share this fiscal year.

However, concerns loom over the future. Management’s billings growth projection—13% in the first half of the fiscal year accelerating to 23% in the second half—didn't sit well with investors, reflecting uncertainty about the company's ability to sustain its momentum. Furthermore, Zscaler's guidance for non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.62 in fiscal Q1 2025 and $2.84 for fiscal 2025 was below the consensus forecast of $0.73 and $3.33, respectively. This signals potential headwinds that could slow down growth and delay GAAP profitability even further, now projected to be reached beyond 2027.

A Volatile Path
Technically, Zscaler’s stock has displayed high volatility, with notable swings in the last year, including eight moves exceeding 5%. The latest 17.8% drop is particularly significant, indicating a strong reaction from the market to the latest earnings report and future guidance.

The stock currently trades 37.8% below its 52-week high of $254.93, making it a potentially attractive buy for long-term investors looking for a discount on a high-growth cloud security leader. However, the sell-off has pushed Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) below key support levels, signaling bearish sentiment. The RSI (Relative Strength Index) which is sitting at 28.56 has also dipped into oversold territory, suggesting that while the stock is under pressure, there could be a rebound opportunity once the market stabilizes.

Outlook and Market Sentiment
The broader market reaction to Zscaler’s report highlights concerns over the cybersecurity industry’s near-term prospects, particularly as it faces challenges like economic uncertainty and shifts in customer spending behavior. Similar pressures have been seen across the sector, with rivals like Palo Alto Networks also facing guidance cuts and growing pains due to strategic shifts.

Despite the negative sentiment, Zscaler’s consistent revenue growth and progress towards profitability underscore the company’s potential. Investors should closely monitor upcoming earnings to see if Zscaler can deliver on its promise of accelerating billings growth in the latter half of the year.

Is Zscaler a Buy?
The significant drop in Zscaler’s share price could present a buying opportunity for those willing to weather short-term volatility in exchange for long-term gains. With solid fundamentals, a clear path toward profitability, and continued innovation in the cybersecurity space, Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) remains a compelling play, albeit one that requires patience and a tolerance for risk.

Investors should watch key support levels and consider Zscaler’s guidance trajectory in their decision-making. The market’s current apprehension presents a chance to buy into a high-quality name at a discounted price, though further volatility is expected as the company navigates through its challenges.