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Cybersecurity firms Zscaler and Carbon Black beat forecasts in first post-IPO results
Both Zscaler Inc. and Carbon Black Inc. have delivered their first post-initial public offering quarterly financial reports, but though both companies’ results beat market estimates, it was Zscaler’s stunning numbers that gained most of the attention.
For the quarter ending April 30, Zscaler on Wednesday reported total revenue was $49.2 million, a jump of 49 percent over the same quarter in 2017 and higher than analysts’ average forecast of $46 million. Revenue was bolstered by a 79 percent leap in calculated billings.
The cybersecurity firm reported a loss before certain costs such as stock compensation of 2 cents a share, well below analysts’ expectations of an 8-cent loss.
Looking forward, Zscaler also said it expects revenue of $50 million to $51 million in its current quarter ending in July and an adjusted loss of 5 to 6 cents. It’s also predicting revenue of up to $51 million in the fourth quarter and $185 million for the fiscal year.
With impressive revenue growth and the company coming close to being profitable, investors loved the numbers. Zscaler’s shares shot up 23 percent, to $37.79 a share, though that’s still up only $4.79 from its opening-day close of $33 per share.
While overshadowed by Zscaler, cybersecurity company Carbon Black also reported solid numbers Thursday, with revenue up 35 percent, to $48.4 million, for its first quarter. Gross profit came in at $38.2 million, up 79 percent.
The loss figures in the quarter came in at $60.6 million, or $5.38 a share, compared with a loss of $24.1 million, or $2.40 a share, last year, although the adjusted loss came in at a more friendly 98 cents a share.
Carbon Black also said it expects to book $48.5 million to $49 million in revenue in the second quarter, with a $17.5 million to $18 million loss.
Shares in the company initially rose 1.1 percent in after-hours trading before settling up a small fraction of a point, though still ahead of its opening-day closing price of $23.94.
The results from both companies are likely to support future IPOs, particularly in cybersecurity, with both sets of numbers showing that tech companies can be trusted to not only meet their forward-looking estimates but also at times beat them.
Image: 117994717@N06/Flickr
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