Thursday's ETF Movers: SILJ, HACK
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 07 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ZS?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Performance of Amplify Cybersecurity ETF: The Amplify Cybersecurity ETF is underperforming, down approximately 3% in Thursday afternoon trading, with notable declines in shares of Fortinet (down 24.8%) and Zscaler (down 4.7%).
Market Commentary: The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Nasdaq, Inc.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ZS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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: 131.010
Low
260.00
Averages
325.62
High
390.00
Current: 131.010
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.
Cybersecurity Stocks Decline as Wall Street Shifts Focus
- Market Shift Impact: Wall Street's pivot away from tech stocks in 2026 has led to significant declines in share prices for cybersecurity firms like Palo Alto Networks, SentinelOne, and Zscaler, despite these companies achieving double-digit year-over-year sales growth, indicating market concerns about their future prospects.
- Investment Opportunities Arise: The cybersecurity industry is projected to grow from $248 billion in 2026 to $699 billion by 2034, and with stock prices at multiyear lows, investors now have the chance to buy these stocks at attractive valuations, reflecting ongoing demand for cybersecurity solutions.
- CEO Share Purchases: Palo Alto Networks' CEO Nikesh Arora purchased approximately $10 million in company shares in March 2026, marking his first buy since 2019, which demonstrates his confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- AI and Cybersecurity Collaboration: Despite concerns that AI could threaten cybersecurity companies, partnerships between Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne with Google Cloud suggest that cybersecurity firms are more likely to collaborate with AI companies rather than be replaced, underscoring the ongoing necessity of IT security.
See More
Investment Opportunities Emerge in Cybersecurity Stocks
- Market Recovery Signal: The cybersecurity industry is projected to grow from $248 billion in 2026 to $699 billion by 2034, indicating strong market demand that encourages investors to buy at current attractive valuations.
- Executive Buy Signal: Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora purchased approximately $10 million in company shares in March, marking his first buy since 2019, which reflects executive confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Collaboration and Innovation: Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne are collaborating with Google Cloud to secure AI infrastructure, indicating that the integration of cybersecurity firms with AI technology will be a crucial trend for future development.
- Strong Sales Growth: Both Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne reported robust sales growth in their latest earnings reports, with the former's revenue rising 15% year-over-year to $2.6 billion and the latter's revenue increasing 20% year-over-year to $271.2 million, reflecting ongoing demand for cybersecurity services.
See More
US Stocks Close Higher with Chipmakers Rallying
- Market Recovery: On Thursday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.26% and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.49%, reaching new highs, indicating a strong rebound after early losses and reflecting investor confidence in economic recovery.
- Chip Sector Boost: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co raised its 2026 revenue forecast, highlighting strong AI demand, which propelled chipmakers' stock prices, particularly benefiting major suppliers to Nvidia and Apple, further enhancing market optimism.
- Oil Price Impact: Despite the stock market gains, crude oil prices surged over 3%, raising concerns about the Middle East situation and limiting the market's upward momentum, illustrating the potential impact of energy prices on the overall economy.
- Mixed Economic Data: Initial jobless claims fell to 207,000, exceeding expectations and indicating labor market strength, but unexpected declines in manufacturing production reflect economic uncertainty, which could influence future monetary policy.
See More
Analysis of SaaS Companies' Prospects Amid AI Disruption
- Market Panic Intensifies: SaaS companies are experiencing severe market panic, as evidenced by the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) dropping over 30% in the past six months, compared to a mere 9% decline in the NASDAQ, indicating a significant loss of investor confidence in SaaS stocks.
- Chegg's Collapse: The online homework help platform Chegg has seen its stock plummet over 99% since its peak in 2021, as its core product has been replaced by free AI tools like ChatGPT, leading to a 40% year-over-year revenue decline, highlighting the tangible threat AI poses to certain SaaS companies.
- HubSpot and Constellation's Dilemma: Despite HubSpot and Constellation Software achieving all-time highs in revenue and free cash flow, their valuations have plummeted, with HubSpot trading at a mere 4 times sales and Constellation at 3 times, reflecting a pessimistic outlook from the market regarding their futures.
- AI as a Double-Edged Sword: While AI poses a threat to SaaS companies, some experts believe it could also serve as an advantage, particularly for firms like ServiceNow and Cadence, which may leverage AI effectively to gain a competitive edge in the evolving market landscape.
See More
US Stocks Close: S&P 500 Hits All-Time High
- Market Performance: On Wednesday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.80% and the Nasdaq 100 by 1.40%, reaching all-time highs, reflecting investor optimism regarding a potential peace deal in the Middle East, which may boost market confidence.
- Economic Data: The April Empire Manufacturing Survey index increased by 11.2 to 11.0, surpassing expectations and indicating improved economic activity that could support the stock market, while the NAHB housing market index fell to a 7-month low, signaling weakness in the real estate sector.
- Interest Rate Dynamics: The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.276% as optimism over the US-Iran ceasefire eased safe-haven demand for Treasuries, potentially leading investors to reassess future rate policies amid mixed economic signals.
- Sector Volatility: Software stocks surged, with Atlassian up over 10%, while industrial stocks fell broadly due to concerns over US metals tariffs, exemplified by Carrier Global's decline of over 9%, highlighting significant sector divergence.
See More
US Stocks Show Mixed Movement Amid Optimism Over Middle East Peace Talks
- Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.36%, reaching a two-month high, while the Nasdaq 100 increased by 0.63%, marking a 2.5-month high, reflecting investor optimism surrounding potential peace talks in the Middle East.
- Economic Data: The April Empire Manufacturing Survey reported a rise of 11.2 in the general business conditions index to 11.0, surpassing expectations, indicating a robust manufacturing recovery; however, the April NAHB housing market index fell to 34, signaling weakness in the housing sector that could dampen investor confidence.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: WTI crude oil prices increased by over 1% due to the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which could exacerbate global oil and fuel shortages, impacting profitability in related sectors.
- Earnings Season: Q1 earnings for the S&P 500 are projected to grow by 12% year-over-year, but excluding the technology sector, growth is only expected to be around 3%, indicating a slowdown in overall earnings growth that may affect market sentiment.
See More
Cybersecurity Stocks Decline as Wall Street Shifts Focus
- Market Shift Impact: Wall Street's pivot away from tech stocks in 2026 has led to significant declines in share prices for cybersecurity firms like Palo Alto Networks, SentinelOne, and Zscaler, despite these companies achieving double-digit year-over-year sales growth, indicating market concerns about their future prospects.
- Investment Opportunities Arise: The cybersecurity industry is projected to grow from $248 billion in 2026 to $699 billion by 2034, and with stock prices at multiyear lows, investors now have the chance to buy these stocks at attractive valuations, reflecting ongoing demand for cybersecurity solutions.
- CEO Share Purchases: Palo Alto Networks' CEO Nikesh Arora purchased approximately $10 million in company shares in March 2026, marking his first buy since 2019, which demonstrates his confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- AI and Cybersecurity Collaboration: Despite concerns that AI could threaten cybersecurity companies, partnerships between Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne with Google Cloud suggest that cybersecurity firms are more likely to collaborate with AI companies rather than be replaced, underscoring the ongoing necessity of IT security.
See More
Investment Opportunities Emerge in Cybersecurity Stocks
- Market Recovery Signal: The cybersecurity industry is projected to grow from $248 billion in 2026 to $699 billion by 2034, indicating strong market demand that encourages investors to buy at current attractive valuations.
- Executive Buy Signal: Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora purchased approximately $10 million in company shares in March, marking his first buy since 2019, which reflects executive confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Collaboration and Innovation: Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne are collaborating with Google Cloud to secure AI infrastructure, indicating that the integration of cybersecurity firms with AI technology will be a crucial trend for future development.
- Strong Sales Growth: Both Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne reported robust sales growth in their latest earnings reports, with the former's revenue rising 15% year-over-year to $2.6 billion and the latter's revenue increasing 20% year-over-year to $271.2 million, reflecting ongoing demand for cybersecurity services.
See More
US Stocks Close Higher with Chipmakers Rallying
- Market Recovery: On Thursday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.26% and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.49%, reaching new highs, indicating a strong rebound after early losses and reflecting investor confidence in economic recovery.
- Chip Sector Boost: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co raised its 2026 revenue forecast, highlighting strong AI demand, which propelled chipmakers' stock prices, particularly benefiting major suppliers to Nvidia and Apple, further enhancing market optimism.
- Oil Price Impact: Despite the stock market gains, crude oil prices surged over 3%, raising concerns about the Middle East situation and limiting the market's upward momentum, illustrating the potential impact of energy prices on the overall economy.
- Mixed Economic Data: Initial jobless claims fell to 207,000, exceeding expectations and indicating labor market strength, but unexpected declines in manufacturing production reflect economic uncertainty, which could influence future monetary policy.
See More
Analysis of SaaS Companies' Prospects Amid AI Disruption
- Market Panic Intensifies: SaaS companies are experiencing severe market panic, as evidenced by the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) dropping over 30% in the past six months, compared to a mere 9% decline in the NASDAQ, indicating a significant loss of investor confidence in SaaS stocks.
- Chegg's Collapse: The online homework help platform Chegg has seen its stock plummet over 99% since its peak in 2021, as its core product has been replaced by free AI tools like ChatGPT, leading to a 40% year-over-year revenue decline, highlighting the tangible threat AI poses to certain SaaS companies.
- HubSpot and Constellation's Dilemma: Despite HubSpot and Constellation Software achieving all-time highs in revenue and free cash flow, their valuations have plummeted, with HubSpot trading at a mere 4 times sales and Constellation at 3 times, reflecting a pessimistic outlook from the market regarding their futures.
- AI as a Double-Edged Sword: While AI poses a threat to SaaS companies, some experts believe it could also serve as an advantage, particularly for firms like ServiceNow and Cadence, which may leverage AI effectively to gain a competitive edge in the evolving market landscape.
See More
US Stocks Close: S&P 500 Hits All-Time High
- Market Performance: On Wednesday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.80% and the Nasdaq 100 by 1.40%, reaching all-time highs, reflecting investor optimism regarding a potential peace deal in the Middle East, which may boost market confidence.
- Economic Data: The April Empire Manufacturing Survey index increased by 11.2 to 11.0, surpassing expectations and indicating improved economic activity that could support the stock market, while the NAHB housing market index fell to a 7-month low, signaling weakness in the real estate sector.
- Interest Rate Dynamics: The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.276% as optimism over the US-Iran ceasefire eased safe-haven demand for Treasuries, potentially leading investors to reassess future rate policies amid mixed economic signals.
- Sector Volatility: Software stocks surged, with Atlassian up over 10%, while industrial stocks fell broadly due to concerns over US metals tariffs, exemplified by Carrier Global's decline of over 9%, highlighting significant sector divergence.
See More
US Stocks Show Mixed Movement Amid Optimism Over Middle East Peace Talks
- Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.36%, reaching a two-month high, while the Nasdaq 100 increased by 0.63%, marking a 2.5-month high, reflecting investor optimism surrounding potential peace talks in the Middle East.
- Economic Data: The April Empire Manufacturing Survey reported a rise of 11.2 in the general business conditions index to 11.0, surpassing expectations, indicating a robust manufacturing recovery; however, the April NAHB housing market index fell to 34, signaling weakness in the housing sector that could dampen investor confidence.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: WTI crude oil prices increased by over 1% due to the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which could exacerbate global oil and fuel shortages, impacting profitability in related sectors.
- Earnings Season: Q1 earnings for the S&P 500 are projected to grow by 12% year-over-year, but excluding the technology sector, growth is only expected to be around 3%, indicating a slowdown in overall earnings growth that may affect market sentiment.
See More
