July 25, 2023 – Qualys, Inc: Gaining Momentum in the IT Security Sector

Qualys, Inc. (NASDAQ:QLYS) has caught the attention of Institutional Investors as Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its position in the company during the first quarter, according to recent reports. The software maker’s stock saw a 33.4% growth in holdings by Texas Permanent School Fund Corp, acquiring an additional 7,762 shares and bringing their total ownership to 31,002 shares. This represents approximately 0.08% of Qualys’ total market value which stands at an impressive $4,031,000.

As one of the leading providers of cloud-based IT security and compliance solutions globally, Qualys continues to impress with its wide range of offerings. Its product suite includes numerous cloud applications such as Vulnerability Management; Detection and Response Solutions; Threat Protection Services; Patch Management Systems; Security Configuration Assessment Tools; Multi-Vector Endpoint Detection and Response Software; SaaS Detection and Response Offerings; Secure Enterprise Mobility Solutions; Custom Assessment and Remediation Tools; Context Extended Detection and Response Services and many more.

In line with the company’s recent positive performance, insider activity has also caught the market’s attention. Bruce K. Posey, a prominent insider who holds a significant number of shares within Qualys, recently sold 1,578 shares on May 22nd valued at approximately $192,168.84 with an average price per share of $121.78. Following this transaction, Posey remains a considerable stakeholder with 57,132 Shares Valued at around $6,957,534.96.

This news is complemented by another transaction involving Director Jeffrey P. Hank who sold 2,756 shares on May 30th for a total value of $340,999.88 at an average price per share of $123.73. Hank now retains direct ownership of 12,059 shares with an approximate value of $1,492,060.07.

Recent filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) highlight these insider transactions and provide an in-depth overview for investors seeking additional information. The disclosure can be accessed on the SEC’s official website.

It’s worth noting that over the past three months, Qualys insiders have sold a significant number of company shares. In total, 34,240 shares valued at approximately $4,383,546 have been sold by corporate insiders. This illustrates the confidence and belief that insiders possess in Qualys’ future growth potential.

Qualys continues to remain at the forefront of innovation within the IT security sector, offering a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art solutions. With its recent surge in institutional investment and positive insider activity, it is clear that market players recognize the value proposition offered by Qualys.

The company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge security and compliance solutions positions it to capitalize on the increasing demand for advanced IT protection and governance systems worldwide. With its impressive product portfolio and strong management team, Qualys is poised for continued success as it aims to exceed expectations and solidify its position as a global leader in the IT security industry.

Institutional Investors Increase Positions in Qualys, Inc. as Research Reports Offer Diverging Perspectives

July 25, 2023 – In recent months, several institutional investors have made significant changes to their positions in Qualys, Inc. Notably, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake by 1.9% during the fourth quarter, now owning 838,727 shares valued at $94,130,000. AE Wealth Management LLC also saw a significant growth of 31.0% in its position, now holding 5,674 shares valued at $637,000.

IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd also showed confidence in Qualys by increasing its position by 17.3%, now owning 38,372 shares valued at $4,306,000. These moves highlight the growing interest and belief in Qualys among respected institutional investors.

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp and FourThought Financial Partners LLC were two other institutional investors that joined the party. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp invested about $316,000 for a new position in Qualys during the fourth quarter while FourThought Financial Partners LLC purchased shares valued at approximately $537,000.

Collectively, hedge funds and other institutional investors hold an impressive 94.22% of Qualys’ stock.

Research reports on Qualys have been emerging frequently as industry professionals analyze the company’s performance and potential. William Blair initiated coverage on May 30th and gave it an “outperform” rating. DA Davidson conducted research too and reduced their price target from $120 to $115 on May 5th.

However, not all reports have been favorable for Qualys. Wolfe Research lowered the company’s rating from “peer perform” to “underperform” with a price target of $100 while StockNews.com downgraded its rating from “buy” to “hold”. Piper Sandler also had some reservations about Qualys as they downgraded it from “neutral” to “underweight”, revising their price target down from $120 to $109 on June 9th.

Taking into account these diverging views, Bloomberg.com reported that Qualys has a consensus rating of “Hold” with an average price target of $135.33, suggesting further clarity is needed to determine its future trajectory.

Qualys, Inc. is renowned for providing cloud-based IT, security, and compliance solutions across the globe. Their extensive suite of services encompasses Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response, Threat Protection, Continuous Monitoring, Patch Management, and many more.

On Tuesday morning, shares of Qualys stock opened at $133.36. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $101.10 and a high of $162.36. Presently, it maintains a 50-day moving average of $127.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $121.43. With a market cap of $4.92 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.15, Qualys continues to attract significant attention.

When Qualys recently announced its earnings results on May 4th, the company exceeded expectations by reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.77 for the quarter compared to analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.62 per share—an impressive beat by $0.15 per share.

The software maker also exhibited strong net margin performance at 22% and achieved an admirable return on equity rate of 34%. Furthermore, Qualys generated revenue of $130.68 million for the quarter against an anticipated total of approximately the same value.

Taking all these factors into account, industry experts project Qualys to post earnings per share around 2.77 in the present fiscal year.

In conclusion, as institutional investors make noteworthy shifts in their positions regarding Qualys and research reports offer differing perspectives on the stock’s outlook; it’s undeniably a time of anticipation and ongoing analysis for investors and industry professionals alike. Qualys’ comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions, strong financial performance, and exceeded earnings expectations provide both intrigue and room for further observation in the coming months.

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