Zscaler (ZS) Stock Declines Due to Conservative Guidance and CFO Retirement

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Dec 03, 2024
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Zscaler (ZS, Financial) shares fell by 5.95% due to a mix of factors, including the company's fiscal Q1 2025 earnings report and the announcement of CFO Remo Canessa's retirement. Despite meeting expectations for revenue and adjusted operating profit guidance for the next quarter, investors were hoping for stronger projections, which led to a sell-off.

Currently, Zscaler (ZS, Financial) is trading at $196.10 with a market capitalization of $30.09 billion. The stock has demonstrated volatility, with a 52-week low of $153.45 and a high of $259.61. On a fundamental level, Zscaler’s financial health remains strong, evidenced by its Altman Z-score of 5.72, indicating low bankruptcy risk. The company also boasts a solid Beneish M-Score of -2.74, suggesting it is unlikely to be manipulating its financials.

In terms of valuation, Zscaler's Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio stands at 23.46, which is significantly above the industry median, suggesting the stock may be overvalued relative to its assets. However, its profitability metrics show promise, with an expanding operating margin. The GF Value indicates that the stock is modestly undervalued with a GF Value of $256.33, which is higher than its current trading price. For more detailed valuation analysis, visit the GF Value page.

Investor sentiment may be influenced by recent insider selling activity, with 47,831 shares sold over the past three months without any insider purchases during this period. This trend can sometimes indicate a lack of confidence in the company's near-term prospects among its executives. However, Zscaler continues to show growth potential with a 5-year revenue growth rate of 44.8%, outpacing its asset growth of 54.5%, which may highlight inefficiencies.

As Zscaler navigates through financial projections and leadership changes, its future performance will likely depend on its ability to strengthen its growth trajectory while maintaining profitability. Investors will be keeping a close eye on the company’s strategic initiatives and any further guidance updates in the upcoming earnings report.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.