Zscaler (ZS) is a compelling buy, trading at a compressed multiple, despite strong growth and a robust data moat in cloud security. ZS benefits from high gross retention, rapid AI/data security expansion, and dominant positioning in AI-agent security, following recent acquisitions. Short-term margin pressure and dilution from acquisitions are outweighed by long-term operating leverage and accelerating revenue growth.
ZS gears up for Q2 earnings with revenues seen up 23% and AI security demand in focus, but tight IT budgets and slower legacy growth loom.
Zscaler Q2 Earnings Preview: What To Watch And Why AI Fears Are Overblown
Zscaler faces mounting competitive pressures, lagging Cloudflare in RPO growth and Net Retention, while Palo Alto Networks picks up momentum with its M&A-based strategy. Despite solid revenue and customer growth, ZS's stagnant operating margin and softer forward guidance have weighed on investor sentiment. ZS trades at a forward P/E of 45, compressing to 30 by FY 2028, but market fears over share losses demand outperformance in RPO and retention.
ZS' Z-Flex bookings jumped 70% sequentially to $175M in Q1 FY26, boosting multi-year deals and revenue visibility as enterprise adoption accelerates.
QLYS may have the edge over ZS as steady growth, expanding VMDR traction, and a cheaper valuation outweigh Zscaler's faster growth and AI push.
In the most recent trading session, Zscaler (ZS) closed at $172.6, indicating a -2.88% shift from the previous trading day.
Zscaler maintains robust 20%+ growth and margin strength, despite a 22% stock pullback driven by broader software sector sentiment. ZS is transitioning from hypergrowth to durable compounder, with ~8x EV/forward revenue and 20%+ operating margins supporting a favorable risk-reward setup. AI is a tailwind, not a threat, as AI Security ARR rose 80% YoY, and Zero Trust Everywhere adoption accelerates, reinforcing ZS's competitive positioning.
ZS stock plunges 38% in six months, but strong revenue growth, AI security momentum and rising enterprise adoption offer reasons to hold.
Zacks.com users have recently been watching Zscaler (ZS) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.
In the closing of the recent trading day, Zscaler (ZS) stood at $170.18, denoting a +1.7% move from the preceding trading day.
Zscaler (ZS) stock has decreased by 26.7% in under a month, falling from $231.16 on January 7, 2026, to $169.39 currently. The selloff comes as investors reassess richly valued software names amid a broader pullback in high-multiple growth stocks, even as cybersecurity demand remains structurally strong.