On Thursday, BMO Capital Markets adjusted their outlook on CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:CRWD), increasing the price target to $315 from the previous $290, while sustaining an Outperform rating on the cybersecurity firm's stock. The revision follows the company's recent financial results and guidance, which surpassed the analyst's expectations.
The report from BMO Capital highlights that CrowdStrike's fiscal year 2025 revenue outlook appears to be less affected by a prior service outage than originally anticipated. Despite initial aggressive cuts to estimates after the outage, the analyst has now revised them upwards. The updated assessment suggests that CrowdStrike's management guidance and the analyst's own estimates might carry a higher degree of uncertainty than in previous years.
The analyst notes that CrowdStrike seems to be incorporating more bundling into its customer strategy, which is aimed at maintaining customer satisfaction and supporting continued growth. This tactic is part of the reason behind the improved outlook for the company.
In the words of the analyst, "CRWD's results/guidance were better than we had previewed, and we are raising our estimates from our fairly aggressive cuts after the outage. Broadly, CRWD's FY25 revenue outlook is less impacted by the outage than we expected, though we think management's guide and our estimates likely contain more uncertainty than in past years."
The increase in the price target to $315 reflects the analyst's confidence in CrowdStrike's ability to navigate past challenges and continue its growth trajectory. The Outperform rating remains unchanged, indicating that BMO Capital Markets continues to see CrowdStrike as a favorable investment opportunity within the market.
In other recent news, CrowdStrike reported a 31.9% year-over-year increase in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), reaching $3.865 billion. The cybersecurity firm also recorded a 46% growth in non-GAAP operating income, achieving a record $227 million. However, following an IT incident, the company adjusted its full-year revenue forecast down by approximately $100 million.
Several analyst firms, including Canaccord Genuity, Piper Sandler, and Rosenblatt Securities, have updated their ratings and price targets for CrowdStrike. Canaccord Genuity maintained a Buy rating while lowering the price target to $330. Piper Sandler also kept an Overweight rating with a steady price target of $290. Rosenblatt Securities adjusted the price target to $325, maintaining a Buy rating.
Other firms such as Needham and RBC Capital Markets also made adjustments. Needham maintained a positive outlook while lowering its target to $350, and RBC Capital Markets revised its target to $335, sustaining an Outperform rating.
InvestingPro Insights
Following BMO Capital Markets' recent price target adjustment for CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:CRWD), InvestingPro data and tips offer additional insights into the company's financial health and market performance. Notably, CrowdStrike boasts a robust balance sheet, holding more cash than debt, which is a reassuring sign for investors considering the company's financial stability (InvestingPro Tip #0). Additionally, analysts forecast an uptick in net income for the year, suggesting potential profitability improvements that could bolster investor confidence (InvestingPro Tip #1).
From a market perspective, CrowdStrike's market capitalization stands at an impressive $65.67 billion, reflecting the company's substantial presence in the cybersecurity sector. Despite its high earnings multiple of 483.56, which indicates a premium valuation, the company's revenue growth remains strong, with a 34.26% increase over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. Furthermore, CrowdStrike has achieved a high return over the past year, with a 1-year price total return of 80.1%, highlighting its favorable performance in the market (InvestingPro Data).
The combination of CrowdStrike's solid balance sheet, expected income growth, and strong market performance provides a comprehensive view of the company's potential. For those seeking deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips, with a total of 16 insights available to help investors make informed decisions. To explore further, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/CRWD for a more detailed perspective on CrowdStrike's investment profile.
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