On Friday, Wolfe Research maintained its Peerperform rating on CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:CRWD), following a severe outage caused by a recent update. The incident, which affected Windows endpoints running the Falcon agent, resulted in significant IT disruptions that could last up to a week for complete resolution.
The outage was notable for its severity, surpassing typical cloud service disruptions, as it required manual intervention to fix each impacted machine. Wolfe Research highlighted the lack of a backup system for failover in this scenario, which contributed to the extended recovery time.
Despite the immediate challenges, conversations with customers, former clients, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and industry members suggested that the event is unlikely to have a lasting negative effect on CrowdStrike's business. However, concerns were raised about the near-term consequences, including potential damage to the company's brand, opportunities for competitors to gain market share, legal actions from affected customers, and the impact on the closing weeks of the current quarter.
Wolfe Research also pointed to the possible regulatory implications, as agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are increasingly involved in cybersecurity matters. The firm noted that these elements could exert additional pressure on CrowdStrike's stock, which trades at a premium compared to its peers – 51% and 45% higher on CY25 Revenue and Free Cash Flow (FCF), respectively.
The analyst's comments reflect a cautious stance on the stock, acknowledging both the severity of the recent outage and its potential implications for CrowdStrike in the short term. Wolfe Research's outlook indicates that while the company may face immediate hurdles, the broader perspective among industry insiders remains that CrowdStrike's long-term prospects are not significantly threatened by this incident.
In other recent news, a global IT outage caused disruptions in Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)'s production lines, due to a flawed content update from CrowdStrike for Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows hosts. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, addressed the issue by removing CrowdStrike from all their systems, stating the event caused a "seizure to the automotive supply chain."
On the other hand, CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, experienced a significant disruption due to the same software update malfunction. This event has led to concerns among customers and investors, potentially prompting a shift towards competitors. Despite the setback, analysts like Dan Ives from Wedbush Securities and JPMorgan expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage the fallout.
Moreover, Evercore ISI adjusted its price target for CrowdStrike, decreasing it to $350 from the previous $405, but retained an Outperform rating for the stock. This adjustment follows the aforementioned software update incident, suggesting a lapse in the company's quality assurance process.
Citi also maintained its Buy rating for CrowdStrike with a price target of $425.00, indicating continued confidence in the company's stock despite the recent challenges. Goldman Sachs also held its Buy rating and $400.00 price target for CrowdStrike, anticipating minimal shifts in market share for endpoint security following this incident.
InvestingPro Insights
Amid the challenges faced by CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:CRWD) due to the recent severe outage, it's important to consider the company's financial health and market performance. Despite the setback, CrowdStrike's market capitalization stands strong at $73.65 billion, reflecting a substantial presence in the cybersecurity sector. The company's valuation, however, is quite high with a Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 556.68, indicating investor confidence in its future earnings potential. Moreover, CrowdStrike's revenue growth remains robust, with a 34.26% increase in the last twelve months as of Q1 2023, showcasing the company's ability to expand its business.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that CrowdStrike's net income is expected to grow this year, which could mitigate some concerns regarding its high earnings multiple. Additionally, the company's liquid assets surpass its short-term obligations, providing financial flexibility to navigate current challenges. For investors considering the stock's recent performance, it has experienced a notable return of 117.66% over the past year, despite taking a hit over the last week with a 7.61% decrease in total return. To explore more about CrowdStrike's financial metrics and to access additional tips, visit InvestingPro. Remember to use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. With 15 additional InvestingPro Tips available, investors can gain a more comprehensive understanding of CrowdStrike's market position and future outlook.
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