Tech Stocks Rally as Market Sentiment Improves Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 37 minutes ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Digital Turbine Strong Performance: Digital Turbine (APPS) shares surged 18% after reporting a robust Q4 performance, with adjusted EPS of $0.16 exceeding estimates by $0.08, and revenue rising 20% year-over-year to $142.5 million, indicating strong operational leverage and margin expansion, while guiding FY2027 revenue to $630 million to $650 million, surpassing analyst expectations.
- Semtech's Continued Growth: Semtech (SMTC) shares rose 6% as Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.51 beat expectations by $0.06, with revenue increasing 15.9% year-over-year to $291 million, exceeding consensus by $7.5 million, and Q2 guidance forecasting revenue of $328 million, signaling ongoing momentum in its semiconductor business and margin expansion.
- Verra Mobility's Sharp Decline: Verra Mobility (VRRM) shares plummeted 41% after Avis Budget Group announced it would terminate its contract effective September 2026, which is expected to reduce annual Commercial Services revenue by $135 million to $145 million and segment profit by $120 million to $125 million, highlighting the significant impact of losing a major customer and prompting cost-cutting measures.
- Zscaler's Uncertain Outlook: Zscaler (ZS) shares fell 21% despite better-than-expected Q3 results, as mixed guidance overshadowed performance, with Q4 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.08 to $1.09 ahead of the $1.03 consensus, but revenue guidance of $875 million to $878 million fell slightly short, reflecting increased capital expenditure pressures and lowering full-year free cash flow margin expectations.
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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: 182.370
Low
260.00
Averages
325.62
High
390.00
Current: 182.370
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 is a cloud-native platform that securely connects users, devices, applications and workloads, including artificial intelligence (AI) agents, without relying on hub-and-spoke network architecture and firewall-centric security. 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. Its services include Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), and Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX). ZIA provides secure access to externally managed applications, including SaaS applications and internet destinations, regardless of device, location or network.
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.
U.S. Stock Futures Rise on Sustained AI Momentum
- Market Optimism: U.S. stock futures extended gains on Wednesday, buoyed by sustained AI-driven momentum, while investors remained cautiously optimistic about a potential deal between the U.S. and Iran, despite recent U.S. strikes near the Strait of Hormuz that Iran condemned.
- Strong Index Performance: As of 04:42 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis rose by 195 points, or 0.39%; S&P 500 E-minis increased by 21 points, or 0.28%; and Nasdaq 100 E-minis climbed by 134 points, or 0.45%, reflecting growing confidence in AI's impact on the market.
- Earnings Support: A robust earnings season and expectations of approximately 29% year-on-year growth in Q1 have fueled the rally on Wall Street, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at record highs on Tuesday, indicating strong market confidence in future growth.
- Fed Policy Expectations: Markets are set to focus on Thursday's personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index data, which could provide crucial insights into the monetary policy direction under new chair Kevin Warsh, with expectations that the Fed will maintain rates steady for the remainder of the year, while some are pricing in a 25 bps hike in December.
See More
Tech Stocks Rally as Market Sentiment Improves Amid Geopolitical Tensions
- Digital Turbine Strong Performance: Digital Turbine (APPS) shares surged 18% after reporting a robust Q4 performance, with adjusted EPS of $0.16 exceeding estimates by $0.08, and revenue rising 20% year-over-year to $142.5 million, indicating strong operational leverage and margin expansion, while guiding FY2027 revenue to $630 million to $650 million, surpassing analyst expectations.
- Semtech's Continued Growth: Semtech (SMTC) shares rose 6% as Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.51 beat expectations by $0.06, with revenue increasing 15.9% year-over-year to $291 million, exceeding consensus by $7.5 million, and Q2 guidance forecasting revenue of $328 million, signaling ongoing momentum in its semiconductor business and margin expansion.
- Verra Mobility's Sharp Decline: Verra Mobility (VRRM) shares plummeted 41% after Avis Budget Group announced it would terminate its contract effective September 2026, which is expected to reduce annual Commercial Services revenue by $135 million to $145 million and segment profit by $120 million to $125 million, highlighting the significant impact of losing a major customer and prompting cost-cutting measures.
- Zscaler's Uncertain Outlook: Zscaler (ZS) shares fell 21% despite better-than-expected Q3 results, as mixed guidance overshadowed performance, with Q4 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.08 to $1.09 ahead of the $1.03 consensus, but revenue guidance of $875 million to $878 million fell slightly short, reflecting increased capital expenditure pressures and lowering full-year free cash flow margin expectations.
See More
Zscaler Q3 Beats Expectations but Stock Plunges 21% on Weak Q4 Guidance
- Strong Q3 Performance: Zscaler reported a 25% year-over-year revenue increase to $850.5 million in Q3, surpassing analysts' expectations of $835.4 million, indicating robust growth in the cybersecurity sector.
- Weak Q4 Guidance: Despite the strong Q3 results, Zscaler's Q4 revenue forecast of $875 million to $878 million fell short of the average analyst estimate of $878.6 million, triggering a significant market reaction.
- Sentiment Shift: Following a 21% drop in stock price, retail investor sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish', suggesting that investors view the current price as an attractive buying opportunity.
- Intensifying Competition: Zscaler faces fierce competition in the rapidly growing SASE market from larger rivals like Palo Alto Networks, and while demand is increasing, the overall market pressure remains significant.
See More
Wall Street Tech Rally Continues; Goldman Sachs Raises S&P 500 Year-End Target to 8000
- S&P 500 Target Raised: Goldman Sachs has raised its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,600 to 8,000, reflecting confidence in stronger earnings expectations, which is likely to further drive market gains and attract more investor interest.
- Tech Stocks Surge: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices reached new highs in the previous session, driven by tech stocks, indicating a bullish sentiment in the market that may lead to increased capital inflow into related equities.
- Retail Sentiment Bullish: Retail sentiment towards the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust remains in bullish territory, suggesting investor confidence in market prospects, which could stimulate more trading activity and investment decisions.
- Economic Data Watch: Investors are closely monitoring the upcoming ADP employment report and API crude oil report, as these data points will provide crucial indicators of economic health that may influence future monetary policy and market trends.
See More
Zscaler Reports Strong Q3 Growth with Record Margins
- Significant Revenue Growth: Zscaler reported Q3 revenue of $850 million, a 25% year-over-year increase, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) reaching $3.5 billion, indicating strong demand and sustained growth potential in the cloud security market.
- Record Operating Profit: The company achieved a non-GAAP operating margin of 23%, marking an all-time high that reflects successful cost control and efficiency improvements, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Expanding Customer Base: Zscaler's number of customers with over $1 million in ARR increased to 748, up 18% year-over-year, indicating improved penetration in the enterprise market and the potential for higher revenue growth in the future.
- Optimistic Outlook: The company guided for full-year fiscal 2026 revenue between $3.3295 billion and $3.3325 billion, expecting approximately 24.6% to 24.7% year-over-year growth, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance despite challenges from sales leadership turnover.
See More
U.S. Stocks Rise on Micron Technology Gains
- Micron Technology Surge: Micron Technology (MU) shares soared over 19% on Tuesday, surpassing a $1 trillion market cap, reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding long-term memory supply agreements, thereby driving broader market gains.
- Market Sentiment Recovery: Despite ongoing Middle East conflicts, Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.23% and S&P 500 futures increased by 0.12%, indicating enhanced investor confidence in tech stocks, which may encourage future investment inflows.
- Oil Price Decline Impact: Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel during Wednesday's trading session, with Brent crude futures down about 0.74%, which could affect energy stocks' performance and exert some pressure on overall market sentiment.
- Economic Data Focus: Markets will closely monitor upcoming first-quarter GDP and inflation data, which will provide crucial insights into economic health and potentially influence future investment decisions.
See More
U.S. Stock Futures Rise on Sustained AI Momentum
- Market Optimism: U.S. stock futures extended gains on Wednesday, buoyed by sustained AI-driven momentum, while investors remained cautiously optimistic about a potential deal between the U.S. and Iran, despite recent U.S. strikes near the Strait of Hormuz that Iran condemned.
- Strong Index Performance: As of 04:42 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis rose by 195 points, or 0.39%; S&P 500 E-minis increased by 21 points, or 0.28%; and Nasdaq 100 E-minis climbed by 134 points, or 0.45%, reflecting growing confidence in AI's impact on the market.
- Earnings Support: A robust earnings season and expectations of approximately 29% year-on-year growth in Q1 have fueled the rally on Wall Street, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at record highs on Tuesday, indicating strong market confidence in future growth.
- Fed Policy Expectations: Markets are set to focus on Thursday's personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index data, which could provide crucial insights into the monetary policy direction under new chair Kevin Warsh, with expectations that the Fed will maintain rates steady for the remainder of the year, while some are pricing in a 25 bps hike in December.
See More
Tech Stocks Rally as Market Sentiment Improves Amid Geopolitical Tensions
- Digital Turbine Strong Performance: Digital Turbine (APPS) shares surged 18% after reporting a robust Q4 performance, with adjusted EPS of $0.16 exceeding estimates by $0.08, and revenue rising 20% year-over-year to $142.5 million, indicating strong operational leverage and margin expansion, while guiding FY2027 revenue to $630 million to $650 million, surpassing analyst expectations.
- Semtech's Continued Growth: Semtech (SMTC) shares rose 6% as Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.51 beat expectations by $0.06, with revenue increasing 15.9% year-over-year to $291 million, exceeding consensus by $7.5 million, and Q2 guidance forecasting revenue of $328 million, signaling ongoing momentum in its semiconductor business and margin expansion.
- Verra Mobility's Sharp Decline: Verra Mobility (VRRM) shares plummeted 41% after Avis Budget Group announced it would terminate its contract effective September 2026, which is expected to reduce annual Commercial Services revenue by $135 million to $145 million and segment profit by $120 million to $125 million, highlighting the significant impact of losing a major customer and prompting cost-cutting measures.
- Zscaler's Uncertain Outlook: Zscaler (ZS) shares fell 21% despite better-than-expected Q3 results, as mixed guidance overshadowed performance, with Q4 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.08 to $1.09 ahead of the $1.03 consensus, but revenue guidance of $875 million to $878 million fell slightly short, reflecting increased capital expenditure pressures and lowering full-year free cash flow margin expectations.
See More
Zscaler Q3 Beats Expectations but Stock Plunges 21% on Weak Q4 Guidance
- Strong Q3 Performance: Zscaler reported a 25% year-over-year revenue increase to $850.5 million in Q3, surpassing analysts' expectations of $835.4 million, indicating robust growth in the cybersecurity sector.
- Weak Q4 Guidance: Despite the strong Q3 results, Zscaler's Q4 revenue forecast of $875 million to $878 million fell short of the average analyst estimate of $878.6 million, triggering a significant market reaction.
- Sentiment Shift: Following a 21% drop in stock price, retail investor sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish', suggesting that investors view the current price as an attractive buying opportunity.
- Intensifying Competition: Zscaler faces fierce competition in the rapidly growing SASE market from larger rivals like Palo Alto Networks, and while demand is increasing, the overall market pressure remains significant.
See More
Wall Street Tech Rally Continues; Goldman Sachs Raises S&P 500 Year-End Target to 8000
- S&P 500 Target Raised: Goldman Sachs has raised its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,600 to 8,000, reflecting confidence in stronger earnings expectations, which is likely to further drive market gains and attract more investor interest.
- Tech Stocks Surge: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices reached new highs in the previous session, driven by tech stocks, indicating a bullish sentiment in the market that may lead to increased capital inflow into related equities.
- Retail Sentiment Bullish: Retail sentiment towards the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust remains in bullish territory, suggesting investor confidence in market prospects, which could stimulate more trading activity and investment decisions.
- Economic Data Watch: Investors are closely monitoring the upcoming ADP employment report and API crude oil report, as these data points will provide crucial indicators of economic health that may influence future monetary policy and market trends.
See More
Zscaler Reports Strong Q3 Growth with Record Margins
- Significant Revenue Growth: Zscaler reported Q3 revenue of $850 million, a 25% year-over-year increase, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) reaching $3.5 billion, indicating strong demand and sustained growth potential in the cloud security market.
- Record Operating Profit: The company achieved a non-GAAP operating margin of 23%, marking an all-time high that reflects successful cost control and efficiency improvements, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Expanding Customer Base: Zscaler's number of customers with over $1 million in ARR increased to 748, up 18% year-over-year, indicating improved penetration in the enterprise market and the potential for higher revenue growth in the future.
- Optimistic Outlook: The company guided for full-year fiscal 2026 revenue between $3.3295 billion and $3.3325 billion, expecting approximately 24.6% to 24.7% year-over-year growth, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance despite challenges from sales leadership turnover.
See More
U.S. Stocks Rise on Micron Technology Gains
- Micron Technology Surge: Micron Technology (MU) shares soared over 19% on Tuesday, surpassing a $1 trillion market cap, reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding long-term memory supply agreements, thereby driving broader market gains.
- Market Sentiment Recovery: Despite ongoing Middle East conflicts, Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.23% and S&P 500 futures increased by 0.12%, indicating enhanced investor confidence in tech stocks, which may encourage future investment inflows.
- Oil Price Decline Impact: Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel during Wednesday's trading session, with Brent crude futures down about 0.74%, which could affect energy stocks' performance and exert some pressure on overall market sentiment.
- Economic Data Focus: Markets will closely monitor upcoming first-quarter GDP and inflation data, which will provide crucial insights into economic health and potentially influence future investment decisions.
See More
