Citi Places Negative Catalyst Watch on Check Point (CHKP) and Varonis (VRNS)
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 13 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CHKP?
Source: seekingalpha
- Expense Model Concerns: Citi analyst Fatima Boolani highlighted that the market is underestimating Check Point's expenses for 2026, with operating margins projected around 40%, which could negatively impact the company's future profitability.
- Convertible Debt Impact: The issuance of $2 billion in convertible debt by Check Point may indicate the likelihood of significant future M&A, which could further dilute shareholder value and heighten concerns about its financial health.
- Increased Competition Risks: For Varonis, Boolani noted that the company checks several boxes as a potential acquisition candidate, but growing competition in the data security space may lead buyers to pause their acquisition intentions, affecting future revenue growth.
- Rapid7 Downgrade: Citi downgraded Rapid7 from Buy to Neutral, believing the current risk-reward profile is balanced, with expectations for low-single-digit revenue growth and limited overall profitability upside due to competitive pressures.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy CHKP?" 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 CHKP
Wall Street analysts forecast CHKP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CHKP is 227.67 USD with a low forecast of 195.00 USD and a high forecast of 285.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
26 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
16 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 176.250
Low
195.00
Averages
227.67
High
285.00
Current: 176.250
Low
195.00
Averages
227.67
High
285.00
About CHKP
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd is an Israel-based company primarily engaged in the cybersecurity industry. The Company focuses on providing AI-powered, cloud-delivered security solutions to protect corporate enterprises and governments worldwide. Their key product is the Check Point Infinity Architecture, which is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform. The Platform aims to defend against fifth-generation cyber-attacks across various networks, endpoints, cloud environments, workloads, Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile devices. Apart of that, the Company offers a range of products and services designed to secure IT infrastructure. It integrates advanced threat prevention technologies, including firewall, intrusion prevention system (IPS), antivirus, anti-bot, and sandboxing capabilities.
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.
Check Point Software Stock Shows Bullish Potential
- Analyst Optimism: Wall Street analysts are generally bullish on Check Point Software (CHKP), with a lowest price target of $195, approximately 8.6% above its current market price, although most analysts rate it as Hold rather than Buy, indicating slower growth compared to competitors, yet steady growth could yield significant returns for patient long-term investors.
- Cybersecurity Market Growth: The cybersecurity industry is rapidly expanding as companies shift operations from on-premise equipment to the cloud, particularly due to the rise of remote work, which has increased the demand for software-based security protocols, prompting enterprises to consolidate their security systems; Check Point has maintained low operating expenses and capital investments, resulting in an adjusted operating margin of 42%, one of the best in the industry.
- Increased Acquisitions and Investments: Check Point recently acquired Lakera, a security platform specializing in AI agents, and is ramping up spending on R&D and sales and marketing to enhance its software solutions, particularly in endpoint security and security operations, both of which have significantly higher margins than its legacy firewall hardware business.
- Earnings Growth Potential: While Check Point's revenue growth may not match that of more aggressive competitors, analysts expect steady mid-single-digit revenue growth over the next few years, with operating margins remaining stable near industry highs; the stock's forward P/E of 16.7 suggests it is undervalued, indicating potential for strong earnings growth.
See More
Cybersecurity Industry Consolidation Accelerates
- Market Consolidation Trend: As more enterprises opt to consolidate cybersecurity service providers, the industry is experiencing rapid growth, with Check Point Software maintaining an industry-high operating margin of 42%, reflecting its robust financial management capabilities.
- Investment Appeal: Check Point's stock valuation sits below its peers, with a current market price that is 8.6% below Wall Street's lowest target price of $195, although analysts generally adopt a Hold stance, indicating caution regarding its growth rate.
- Acquisition and R&D Investment: The company recently acquired Lakera, a security platform specializing in AI agents, and is ramping up spending on R&D and marketing to enhance its software solutions, particularly in remote work security and security operations.
- Stable Growth Outlook: While Check Point's revenue growth may not match that of its competitors, analysts expect steady mid-single-digit growth over the next few years, with operating margins remaining at industry highs, demonstrating its ongoing competitiveness in the market.
See More
S&P 500 Futures Decline in Pre-Market Session; Netflix and MakeMyTrip Underperform
Market Opening: U.S. stock markets are set to open in two hours.
Teck Resources Performance: Teck Resources Ltd. Cl B (TECK) saw a 5.8% increase in pre-market trading.
Teledyne Technologies Performance: Teledyne Technologies Inc. (TDY) experienced a 5.1% rise in pre-market trading.
Overall Market Sentiment: The pre-market gains indicate positive sentiment among investors for these companies.
See More
ServiceNow Partners with OpenAI for Multi-Year AI Solutions Deal
- Market Downturn: Enterprise software stocks broadly declined due to U.S. and European trade tensions regarding Greenland, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) down 1.2%, indicating rising market risk sentiment that may affect investor confidence.
- Adobe's Continued Decline: Adobe (ADBE) fell 1.8% during midday trading, marking a 33% drop over the past year, highlighting ongoing pressures in a competitive market that could impact its future market share and profitability.
- ServiceNow's Partnership with OpenAI: ServiceNow (NOW) announced a multi-year collaboration with OpenAI (OPENAI) to provide enterprise customers access to OpenAI's frontier models and custom AI solutions, which is expected to enhance its product competitiveness and drive revenue growth.
- Weakness in Cybersecurity Stocks: Software cybersecurity firms like Check Point (CHKP) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) saw declines of 1.2% and 1.5%, respectively, reflecting market concerns over cybersecurity demand that may affect these companies' long-term growth outlook.
See More
10 Mid-to-Low Cap Tech Stocks Earn A+ EPS Revision Ratings
- Analyst Confidence Boost: As earnings season begins, analysts are revising earnings expectations upward for mid-to-low cap tech stocks, indicating strong market confidence in these companies' profitability outlook, which may attract more investor interest.
- Impressive EPS Ratings: Ten tech stocks, including Akamai Technologies (AKAM) and Amphenol (APH), have received the highest EPS revision rating of A+, suggesting significant improvements in profitability expectations that could drive their stock prices higher.
- Increased Market Appeal: With analysts raising earnings forecasts for these companies, investors may reassess their portfolios, particularly in the tech sector, likely leading to increased capital inflows.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: The positive revision ratings from analysts reflect the overall health of the tech industry, especially in emerging fields like AI and quantum computing, which are expected to drive performance in related stocks moving forward.
See More
Tech Stocks Decline, State Street ETF Under Pressure
- Tech Sector Weakness: Tech stocks were broadly lower on Wednesday afternoon, reflecting market concerns about future economic growth, which could lead to a decline in investor confidence and affect overall market performance.
- ETF Under Pressure: The State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF is experiencing downward pressure, indicating a cautious attitude among investors towards the tech sector, which may impact the ETF's liquidity and investment returns.
- Market Sentiment Volatility: The decline in tech stocks could trigger broader market volatility, prompting investors to reassess their portfolios and potentially leading to capital outflows from the tech sector, affecting the stock prices of related companies.
- Uncertain Economic Outlook: Heightened uncertainty regarding future economic growth may drive investors towards more conservative investment strategies, thereby impacting the long-term growth potential of tech stocks.
See More
Check Point Software Stock Shows Bullish Potential
- Analyst Optimism: Wall Street analysts are generally bullish on Check Point Software (CHKP), with a lowest price target of $195, approximately 8.6% above its current market price, although most analysts rate it as Hold rather than Buy, indicating slower growth compared to competitors, yet steady growth could yield significant returns for patient long-term investors.
- Cybersecurity Market Growth: The cybersecurity industry is rapidly expanding as companies shift operations from on-premise equipment to the cloud, particularly due to the rise of remote work, which has increased the demand for software-based security protocols, prompting enterprises to consolidate their security systems; Check Point has maintained low operating expenses and capital investments, resulting in an adjusted operating margin of 42%, one of the best in the industry.
- Increased Acquisitions and Investments: Check Point recently acquired Lakera, a security platform specializing in AI agents, and is ramping up spending on R&D and sales and marketing to enhance its software solutions, particularly in endpoint security and security operations, both of which have significantly higher margins than its legacy firewall hardware business.
- Earnings Growth Potential: While Check Point's revenue growth may not match that of more aggressive competitors, analysts expect steady mid-single-digit revenue growth over the next few years, with operating margins remaining stable near industry highs; the stock's forward P/E of 16.7 suggests it is undervalued, indicating potential for strong earnings growth.
See More
Cybersecurity Industry Consolidation Accelerates
- Market Consolidation Trend: As more enterprises opt to consolidate cybersecurity service providers, the industry is experiencing rapid growth, with Check Point Software maintaining an industry-high operating margin of 42%, reflecting its robust financial management capabilities.
- Investment Appeal: Check Point's stock valuation sits below its peers, with a current market price that is 8.6% below Wall Street's lowest target price of $195, although analysts generally adopt a Hold stance, indicating caution regarding its growth rate.
- Acquisition and R&D Investment: The company recently acquired Lakera, a security platform specializing in AI agents, and is ramping up spending on R&D and marketing to enhance its software solutions, particularly in remote work security and security operations.
- Stable Growth Outlook: While Check Point's revenue growth may not match that of its competitors, analysts expect steady mid-single-digit growth over the next few years, with operating margins remaining at industry highs, demonstrating its ongoing competitiveness in the market.
See More
S&P 500 Futures Decline in Pre-Market Session; Netflix and MakeMyTrip Underperform
Market Opening: U.S. stock markets are set to open in two hours.
Teck Resources Performance: Teck Resources Ltd. Cl B (TECK) saw a 5.8% increase in pre-market trading.
Teledyne Technologies Performance: Teledyne Technologies Inc. (TDY) experienced a 5.1% rise in pre-market trading.
Overall Market Sentiment: The pre-market gains indicate positive sentiment among investors for these companies.
See More
ServiceNow Partners with OpenAI for Multi-Year AI Solutions Deal
- Market Downturn: Enterprise software stocks broadly declined due to U.S. and European trade tensions regarding Greenland, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) down 1.2%, indicating rising market risk sentiment that may affect investor confidence.
- Adobe's Continued Decline: Adobe (ADBE) fell 1.8% during midday trading, marking a 33% drop over the past year, highlighting ongoing pressures in a competitive market that could impact its future market share and profitability.
- ServiceNow's Partnership with OpenAI: ServiceNow (NOW) announced a multi-year collaboration with OpenAI (OPENAI) to provide enterprise customers access to OpenAI's frontier models and custom AI solutions, which is expected to enhance its product competitiveness and drive revenue growth.
- Weakness in Cybersecurity Stocks: Software cybersecurity firms like Check Point (CHKP) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) saw declines of 1.2% and 1.5%, respectively, reflecting market concerns over cybersecurity demand that may affect these companies' long-term growth outlook.
See More
10 Mid-to-Low Cap Tech Stocks Earn A+ EPS Revision Ratings
- Analyst Confidence Boost: As earnings season begins, analysts are revising earnings expectations upward for mid-to-low cap tech stocks, indicating strong market confidence in these companies' profitability outlook, which may attract more investor interest.
- Impressive EPS Ratings: Ten tech stocks, including Akamai Technologies (AKAM) and Amphenol (APH), have received the highest EPS revision rating of A+, suggesting significant improvements in profitability expectations that could drive their stock prices higher.
- Increased Market Appeal: With analysts raising earnings forecasts for these companies, investors may reassess their portfolios, particularly in the tech sector, likely leading to increased capital inflows.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: The positive revision ratings from analysts reflect the overall health of the tech industry, especially in emerging fields like AI and quantum computing, which are expected to drive performance in related stocks moving forward.
See More
Tech Stocks Decline, State Street ETF Under Pressure
- Tech Sector Weakness: Tech stocks were broadly lower on Wednesday afternoon, reflecting market concerns about future economic growth, which could lead to a decline in investor confidence and affect overall market performance.
- ETF Under Pressure: The State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF is experiencing downward pressure, indicating a cautious attitude among investors towards the tech sector, which may impact the ETF's liquidity and investment returns.
- Market Sentiment Volatility: The decline in tech stocks could trigger broader market volatility, prompting investors to reassess their portfolios and potentially leading to capital outflows from the tech sector, affecting the stock prices of related companies.
- Uncertain Economic Outlook: Heightened uncertainty regarding future economic growth may drive investors towards more conservative investment strategies, thereby impacting the long-term growth potential of tech stocks.
See More
