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.
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Analyst Views on ZS
Wall Street analysts forecast ZS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ZS is 325.62 USD with a low forecast of 260.00 USD and a high forecast of 390.00 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.
30 Analyst Rating
24 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 171.000
Low
260.00
Averages
325.62
High
390.00
Current: 171.000
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.
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- Future Implications: Observers are watching closely to see how this development will affect the broader market.
See More
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- Industry Trend Observation: Despite surging AI spending and major players like Meta and Alphabet pushing forward, the future of software companies remains uncertain, particularly for those reliant on single-function products, which may face greater risks of obsolescence.
- Job Market Dynamics: Recent data shows that January layoffs reached the highest level since 2009, with job openings falling to the lowest since 2020, reflecting adjustments in labor demand as companies navigate economic recovery, potentially linked to the rise of AI technologies.
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- Surge in AI Spending: While AI spending continues to rise, software companies are facing intensified competitive pressures, particularly those reliant on single-function offerings like HubSpot and Atlassian, which may experience greater market disruption, impacting their future profitability.
- Clear Industry Differentiation: Analysts categorize software companies into three groups: large software leaders like Microsoft, critical ecosystem companies like Shopify, and those with singular functions, with the latter facing higher risks in the wake of AI advancements, potentially leading to market share erosion.
- Job Market Fluctuations: Recent data shows that layoffs in January 2026 reached the highest level since 2009, and while the overall unemployment rate remains within historical averages, this trend may reflect companies adjusting their hiring strategies in light of AI investments and efficiency improvements, affecting future recruitment plans.
See More
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- Employment Cost Index Decline: The Q4 employment cost index rose by 0.7% quarter-over-quarter, below the expected 0.8%, marking the smallest increase in 4.5 years, suggesting easing labor cost pressures that may influence Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
- Positive Earnings Outlook: More than half of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 79% exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, reflecting strong corporate profitability that could support stock market performance.
- Market Focus on Economic Data: This week, the market will concentrate on upcoming economic data releases, including non-farm payrolls and CPI, which are expected to influence investor expectations regarding future interest rate policies and subsequently affect stock market volatility.
See More
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- Rate Expectations: The market is pricing in a 22% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the Fed's March policy meeting, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future monetary policy, especially in light of the current weak economic data.
See More
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Investment Perspective: Analysts at J.P. Morgan view this downturn as a buying opportunity and have identified several AI-resistant companies, including Microsoft and CrowdStrike.
See More
