Stocks Are Exhibiting Uncommon Behavior, Indicating Potential Opportunities.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 17 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ZS?
Source: Barron's
- Stock Market Volatility: Individual stock returns have been inconsistent, creating potential buying opportunities for investors.
- Investment Opportunities: Cybersecurity and financial services sectors are highlighted as promising areas for investment.
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Analyst Views on ZS
Wall Street analysts forecast ZS stock price to rise
30 Analyst Rating
24 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 137.260
Low
260.00
Averages
325.62
High
390.00
Current: 137.260
Low
260.00
Averages
325.62
High
390.00
About ZS
Zscaler, Inc. is a cloud security company. The Company has developed a platform incorporating core security functionalities needed to enable fast and secure access to cloud resources based on identity, context and an organization’s policies. Its Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Its solution is a purpose-built, multi-tenant, distributed cloud platform that incorporates the security functionality needed to enable users, applications, and devices to safely and efficiently utilize authorized applications and services based on an organization’s business policies. It delivers its solutions using a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model and sells subscriptions to customers to access its cloud platform, together with related support services. It offers a security platform that combines its platform with automated security operations.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.

- Post-Quantum Standards Released: NIST finalized three post-quantum cryptography standards in August 2024, concluding an eight-year global evaluation process, which will trigger the largest mandated cryptographic migration in history, reshaping the global cybersecurity landscape.
- National Security Requirements: The NSA's CNSA 2.0 framework mandates quantum-safe algorithms for all new national security systems by 2027, full application migration by 2030, and complete infrastructure migration by 2035, ensuring compliance will cascade through defense contractors and regulated industries.
- Launch of QSE Platform: QSE launched its QPA v2 enterprise post-quantum cryptographic migration platform on March 31, 2026, featuring AI-enhanced assessment and cryptographic inventory analysis, enabling organizations to comprehensively evaluate and manage their post-quantum cryptographic readiness, transitioning from understanding quantum risks to active planning.
- Significant Market Opportunity: The post-quantum cryptography market is projected to exceed $15 billion by 2030, with organizations expected to allocate 2-5% of their annual IT security budgets over a four-year migration window, making QSE's QPA v2 platform a critical tool to meet this demand.
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- Market Performance Review: Zscaler's stock peaked at $368.78 on November 19, 2021, but currently trades around $139, reflecting valuation compression due to macroeconomic pressures and slowing growth.
- Customer Base Expansion: Zscaler serves over 9,400 customers, including 40% of the Forbes Global 2000 companies, demonstrating its extensive influence and market penetration in the cybersecurity sector.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Analysts project Zscaler's revenue to grow at a 21% CAGR from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028, and while it remains unprofitable by GAAP standards, profitability is expected by 2028.
- Market Opportunity Analysis: Despite slowing growth, Zscaler's ongoing expansion of its AI-powered ZDX Copilot platform and acquisition strategy will enhance its competitive edge, particularly as the zero-trust market is expected to grow at a 16.6% CAGR.
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- Stock Decline: Zscaler's stock has fallen over 60% from its all-time high of $368.78 in November 2021, currently trading around $139, reflecting market concerns over its slowing growth and macroeconomic pressures.
- Expanding Customer Base: Zscaler now serves over 9,400 customers, including 40% of the Forbes Global 2000 companies, demonstrating its strong market position and customer stickiness in the cybersecurity sector.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Analysts project Zscaler's revenue to grow at a 21% CAGR from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028, although it remains unprofitable under GAAP due to stock-based compensation and acquisition expenses.
- Reasonable Market Valuation: With a current market cap of $22.1 billion, Zscaler trades at less than 7 times the $3.3 billion revenue expected in fiscal 2026, indicating long-term investment value in the zero-trust market despite its slowing growth.
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- Divergent Market Performance: On Monday, the S&P 500 index fell by 0.39%, while the Nasdaq 100 hit a 7.75-month low, indicating market concerns over the Middle East situation, particularly exacerbated by a sell-off in chip stocks, which negatively impacted investor confidence.
- Declining Bond Yields: The 10-year T-note yield dropped by 8 basis points to 4.34%, reflecting market fears that the ongoing war in the Middle East could lead to fuel shortages, potentially suppressing expectations for Fed rate hikes and highlighting economic growth uncertainties.
- Rising Crude Oil Prices: Crude oil prices surged over 3% to a three-week high due to Iranian attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, indicating severe threats to global energy supply chains, which could lead to soaring prices in the future and impact the global economy.
- Weak Manufacturing Activity: The Dallas Fed manufacturing activity survey fell to -0.2, below the expected 2.0, reflecting signs of economic slowdown that could influence corporate investment decisions and future economic growth.
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- Oil Price Surge Impacts Markets: The S&P 500 Index fell by 0.75%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.21%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 1.18% as the market reacts to the first oil settlement exceeding $100 since 2022, highlighting concerns over rising energy costs amid ongoing supply chain risks.
- Uncertain Fed Policy Outlook: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted that while the central bank is monitoring the surge in energy prices, its tools to address supply-side shocks are limited, with markets pricing in only a 3% chance of a 25 bp rate hike at the April meeting, indicating investor uncertainty about future monetary policy.
- Escalating Middle East Tensions: US and Israeli forces continue military operations in Iran, with the Pentagon preparing for weeks of ground operations as approximately 3,500 sailors and Marines arrive in the region, potentially exacerbating global energy supply issues.
- Positive Bond Market Reaction: The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.330% as speculation grows that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may lead to fuel shortages, offsetting inflation fears and supporting Treasury prices amid declining inflation expectations.
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- Mixed Stock Performance: The S&P 500 Index fell by 0.29%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.26%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index decreased by 0.67%, indicating a complex market reaction to Federal Reserve policies and international tensions.
- Rising Oil Prices: Crude oil prices surged over 2% to a three-week high due to disruptions in oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran conflict, which could negatively impact global economic growth.
- Weak Manufacturing Activity: The Dallas Fed manufacturing activity index dropped from -0.4 to -0.2, falling short of the expected increase to 2.0, suggesting challenges in economic recovery that may influence future policy decisions.
- Escalating International Tensions: U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran have intensified, with 3,500 sailors and Marines deployed to the Middle East, potentially leading to further volatility in energy markets and impacting global supply chains.
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