Qualys Reports Strong Q4 Earnings Amid Analyst Caution
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6d ago
0mins
Should l Buy QLYS?
Source: Benzinga
Qualys Inc (QLYS) saw its stock price drop by 8.85% as it hit a 20-day low, despite the broader market rally with the Nasdaq-100 up 1.50% and the S&P 500 up 1.42%.
The company's recent Q4 2025 earnings report highlighted significant revenue growth of 10% year-over-year, reaching $175.3 million, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 47%. However, analysts have issued a hold rating, indicating a cautious outlook on the stock's future performance, which may have influenced investor sentiment and contributed to the stock's decline.
Despite the positive earnings report, the cautious stance from analysts may lead to a wait-and-see approach among investors, potentially affecting QLYS's stock volatility in the near term.
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Analyst Views on QLYS
Wall Street analysts forecast QLYS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for QLYS is 141.15 USD with a low forecast of 117.00 USD and a high forecast of 165.00 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.
16 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
11 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 127.810
Low
117.00
Averages
141.15
High
165.00
Current: 127.810
Low
117.00
Averages
141.15
High
165.00
About QLYS
Qualys, Inc. is a provider of a cloud-based platform delivering information technology (IT), security and compliance solutions. The Company’s integrated suite of IT, security and compliance solutions delivered on Qualys' Enterprise TruRisk Platform enables its customers to identify and manage their IT and operational technology (OT) assets, collect, and analyze large amounts of IT security data, recommend, and implement remediation actions and verify the implementation of such actions. The Company provides its solutions through a software-as-a-service model, primarily with renewable annual subscriptions. Its cloud platform offers an integrated suite of solutions that automates the lifecycle of asset discovery and management, security and compliance assessments, and remediation for an organization’s IT infrastructure and assets, whether such infrastructure and assets reside inside the organization, on their network perimeter, on endpoints or in the cloud.
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.
Qualys Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Significant Revenue Growth: Qualys reported Q4 2025 revenues of $175.3 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase, with international revenue growth at 15%, showcasing the company's strong performance in the global cybersecurity market and reinforcing its leadership position.
- Enhanced Profitability: Adjusted EBITDA reached $82.6 million with a 47% margin, despite a 14% increase in sales and marketing investments, indicating effective cost control and enhancing the sustainability of future profits.
- Expanded Shareholder Return Program: The Board authorized an additional $200 million to the share repurchase program, bringing the total to $360.5 million, demonstrating confidence in the company's value and providing shareholders with increased return opportunities.
- Optimistic 2026 Outlook: The company projects 2026 revenues between $717 million and $725 million, representing a growth rate of 7% to 8%, with expected EPS ranging from $7.17 to $7.45, reflecting management's confidence in future growth and positive market demand.
See More
Qualys Analysts' Rating and Price Target
- Analyst Rating: Qualys (QLYS) has received a hold rating from analysts, indicating a cautious outlook on its future performance, which may influence investor decisions.
- Price Target Setting: The average price target set by analysts is $138.71, reflecting market expectations regarding Qualys's future growth potential and providing a reference point for investors.
- Market Reaction: The hold rating may lead investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach towards Qualys's stock in the short term, potentially affecting its price volatility, especially in times of market uncertainty.
- Investment Strategy Impact: The analysts' rating and price target will influence institutional investors' asset allocation strategies, potentially resulting in capital inflows or outflows for Qualys, thereby impacting its market performance.
See More
QUALYS INC: FY ADJUSTED EPS PROJECTION BETWEEN $7.17 AND $7.45
- Market Outlook: The outlook for FY ADJ EPS is projected to increase from $7.17 to $7.45.
- Financial Performance: This adjustment indicates a positive trend in the company's financial performance for the fiscal year.
See More
Qualys Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 5th
- Earnings Announcement: Qualys (QLYS) is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 5th after market close, with consensus EPS estimates at $1.78, reflecting an 11.2% year-over-year increase, and revenue estimates at $173.18 million, up 8.8% year-over-year, indicating strong growth potential.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Qualys has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, showcasing the company's robust ability to manage market expectations and maintain stable financial performance.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen 21 upward revisions with no downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced 20 upward revisions, indicating increased analyst confidence in the company's future performance, which could further drive stock price appreciation.
- Market Focus: Qualys will present at the upcoming UBS Global Technology and AI Conference, drawing significant investor attention, which may lead to new market opportunities and bolster investor confidence.
See More
QLYS Stock 52-Week Highs and Lows Analysis
- Price Fluctuation Analysis: QLYS's 52-week low is $112.61 per share, with a high of $155.47, and the last trade at $135.76 indicates significant price movement within this range, reflecting market interest and investor sentiment changes.
- Market Trend Observation: The current price of $135.76 is near the midpoint of the 52-week range, suggesting a cautious market outlook on QLYS's future performance, which may influence investor buying decisions.
- Technical Indicator Reference: QLYS's stock price has crossed above the 200-day moving average, potentially attracting more technical analysis investors, which could further drive short-term price volatility.
- Investor Sentiment Assessment: Despite the current price fluctuations within the 52-week range, there is a lack of strong buy signals, prompting investors to closely monitor market dynamics for informed investment decisions.
See More
Upcoming Tech Acquisitions: 6 Stocks Poised to Gain.
- Potential Buyout Candidates: A number of technology companies are being considered for potential buyout offers.
- Investor Opportunities: Investors may benefit financially when these buyout deals are officially announced.
See More
Qualys Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Significant Revenue Growth: Qualys reported Q4 2025 revenues of $175.3 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase, with international revenue growth at 15%, showcasing the company's strong performance in the global cybersecurity market and reinforcing its leadership position.
- Enhanced Profitability: Adjusted EBITDA reached $82.6 million with a 47% margin, despite a 14% increase in sales and marketing investments, indicating effective cost control and enhancing the sustainability of future profits.
- Expanded Shareholder Return Program: The Board authorized an additional $200 million to the share repurchase program, bringing the total to $360.5 million, demonstrating confidence in the company's value and providing shareholders with increased return opportunities.
- Optimistic 2026 Outlook: The company projects 2026 revenues between $717 million and $725 million, representing a growth rate of 7% to 8%, with expected EPS ranging from $7.17 to $7.45, reflecting management's confidence in future growth and positive market demand.
See More
Qualys Analysts' Rating and Price Target
- Analyst Rating: Qualys (QLYS) has received a hold rating from analysts, indicating a cautious outlook on its future performance, which may influence investor decisions.
- Price Target Setting: The average price target set by analysts is $138.71, reflecting market expectations regarding Qualys's future growth potential and providing a reference point for investors.
- Market Reaction: The hold rating may lead investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach towards Qualys's stock in the short term, potentially affecting its price volatility, especially in times of market uncertainty.
- Investment Strategy Impact: The analysts' rating and price target will influence institutional investors' asset allocation strategies, potentially resulting in capital inflows or outflows for Qualys, thereby impacting its market performance.
See More
QUALYS INC: FY ADJUSTED EPS PROJECTION BETWEEN $7.17 AND $7.45
- Market Outlook: The outlook for FY ADJ EPS is projected to increase from $7.17 to $7.45.
- Financial Performance: This adjustment indicates a positive trend in the company's financial performance for the fiscal year.
See More
Qualys Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 5th
- Earnings Announcement: Qualys (QLYS) is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 5th after market close, with consensus EPS estimates at $1.78, reflecting an 11.2% year-over-year increase, and revenue estimates at $173.18 million, up 8.8% year-over-year, indicating strong growth potential.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Qualys has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, showcasing the company's robust ability to manage market expectations and maintain stable financial performance.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen 21 upward revisions with no downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced 20 upward revisions, indicating increased analyst confidence in the company's future performance, which could further drive stock price appreciation.
- Market Focus: Qualys will present at the upcoming UBS Global Technology and AI Conference, drawing significant investor attention, which may lead to new market opportunities and bolster investor confidence.
See More
QLYS Stock 52-Week Highs and Lows Analysis
- Price Fluctuation Analysis: QLYS's 52-week low is $112.61 per share, with a high of $155.47, and the last trade at $135.76 indicates significant price movement within this range, reflecting market interest and investor sentiment changes.
- Market Trend Observation: The current price of $135.76 is near the midpoint of the 52-week range, suggesting a cautious market outlook on QLYS's future performance, which may influence investor buying decisions.
- Technical Indicator Reference: QLYS's stock price has crossed above the 200-day moving average, potentially attracting more technical analysis investors, which could further drive short-term price volatility.
- Investor Sentiment Assessment: Despite the current price fluctuations within the 52-week range, there is a lack of strong buy signals, prompting investors to closely monitor market dynamics for informed investment decisions.
See More
Upcoming Tech Acquisitions: 6 Stocks Poised to Gain.
- Potential Buyout Candidates: A number of technology companies are being considered for potential buyout offers.
- Investor Opportunities: Investors may benefit financially when these buyout deals are officially announced.
See More
