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Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Where Will CrowdStrike Stock Be In 5 Years?
CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD) is a dominant player in the cybersecurity market known for its cloud-based endpoint protection and threat intelligence solutions. Investors have been impressed with CrowdStrike's past growth and are curious about its longer-term prospects both as a company and a stock. This article will explore how Crowdstrike is currently performing, how you can expect it to perform in the future, and whether CRWD will remain one of the best stocks for 2025. CrowdStrike was founded in 2011 in Austin, Texas by George Kurtz, Dmitri Alperovitch, and Gregg Marston, with Kurtz serving as the current CEO of the firm. CrowdStrike changed the cybersecurity game with the launch of its Falcon platform which is a cloud-native solution that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide real-time threat detection and response. CRWD is used across industries and institutions from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies to government agencies. The firm's business model is based on subscriptions paid by its clients, providing reliable, recurring revenue. Clients can choose their security solutions from CrowdStrike's offerings from cloud security to ID protection, providing a suite of offerings depending on the client's industry and needs. As of May 28, 2025, the CRWD stock closed at $468.83 a share, marking a 34.98% growth year-to-date. This strong growth is based on CrowdStrike's reporting that they delivered $224 million of net new revenue in Q4 2025 and an annual revenue of $3.95 billion for fiscal year 2025, a 29.39% growth from 2024. While CRWD experienced a GAAP net loss of $92.3 million, they reached a non-GAAP net income of $987.6 million. CrowdStrike's future outlook is influenced by a number of key features including expansion into new markets, more demand from the digitization of business, and global growth. CrowdStrike has heavily invested in artificial intelligence and machine learning to better respond and neutralize threats. For example, the firm's Charlotte AI combines intelligent automation and human cyber expertise to find and address threats swiftly. The global cybersecurity market is expected to reach over $504 billion in revenue by 2030 based on the increasing digitization of business and the need for solutions to protect from cyber threats. CRWD is expected to continue to profit greatly from this rising demand. With notable rising cybercrime committed by malicious state actors, political activists and other bad actors, organizations are investing more in cybersecurity to defend themselves. CrowdStrike provides expansive security and fast response capabilities to their clients from these attacks and is even more in demand to provide protection. CrowdStrike currently has contracts with the Department of Defense as well as other government agencies which provides stable income as well as legitimacy as a trusted cybersecurity provider. CrowdStrike has seen more adoption by small-to-medium sized businesses due to the launch of Falcon Go built for the needs of SMBs. This move provided diversification and expansion for the business. Analysts rate CRWD as a strong buy, according to TipRank's ratings from 38 analysts. The average price target for the stock by April 2026 is $431.97. The highest forecast stands at $520 and the lowest forecast is $347. Both strong revenue growth and its dominance in the cybersecurity market are some of the key factors in the stock's positive ratings. Year-to-date, CRWD has grown by 26% compared to the S&P 500's mere 0.6% rise. The bullish scenario for CRWD is that the company continues to grow based on increasing demand for cybersecurity products and that its adoption of AI will continue to accelerate its dominance in the market. The firm's bullish prospects also seem realistic given that Barclays raised their price target for the firm to $500 and the total addressable market for cybersecurity services continues to rise. A bearish scenario could be caused by expanding competition, failure of technology offerings, or worse execution in new markets. If a recession were to occur and affect CrowdStrike's markets, their revenue growth could also stall. In this scenario, the $347 bear case could unfold. According to some analysts, CrowdStrike is expected to rise to over $1,000 a share based on their market expansion into new markets both nationally and globally. With rising demand for cybersecurity solutions, the total addressable market (TAM) for CrowdStrike offerings would rise as would their market penetration if their technology investments pay off and their reputation holds. This prediction is highly reasonable given their current share price, as of May 28th, 2025 at $468 per share and their growth over the last 5 years of over 433%. Bottom Line CrowdStrike's innovation in the cybersecurity space with AI and ML investments, major clients including SalesForce and government agencies, and industry growth have all caused this growth stock to rocket in price over the last five years. With strong financial performance, increasing demand for cybersecurity services, and an expanding arsenal of tools for businesses and organizations, it's realistic to recommend CRWD as a buy for 2025. While risks to CRWD's growth do exist, the bull case for the stock seems more likely than the bear case.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why CrowdStrike Holdings Stock Sank on a Positive Thursday for the Market
An analyst downgraded his recommendation on the popular cybersecurity company. There were also some questions about a large-scale transfer of shares by founder and CEO George Kurtz. 10 stocks we like better than CrowdStrike › Investors weren't feeling entirely secure about cybersecurity stock CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD) on Thursday. Largely on the back of an analyst's recommendation downgrade, they traded out of the company, leaving it with a nearly 1% decline in price that day. That didn't look great when contrasted with the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) 0.4% gain. The person responsible for the downgrade was Gregg Moskowitz of Mizuho, who changed his view on CrowdStrike stock to neutral from his previous outperform (buy, in other words). His price target on the cybersecurity company is $425 per share. According to reports, Moskowitz once flagged CrowdStrike as being one of his firm's favorite stocks. He still feels it might have a good future, as in his position it remains well situated for future growth. However, he feels that the company is now operating in a more risky environment, among other negative factors, and the stock's current popularity does not reflect this. Moskowitz's move came days after the stock's most recent catalyst: a large transaction in company shares by CrowdStrike founder and CEO George Kurtz. The executive disclosed that he had gifted more than $1 billion in company stock, shrinking his voting power to 2.5% — as recently as 2022, he held 31%. Thursday afternoon, in a post on LinkedIn, Kurtz addressed this, saying that he "moved some stock into trusts for my family, as well as to support causes we care about, like teenage mental health." Kurtz also quashed rumors about his impending departure from CrowdStrike, writing that "for those suggesting I'm riding off into the sunset... not a chance." CrowdStrike certainly is expensive, both in terms of its price and its valuations. Yet it's a much-admired company whose technology gets consistently high marks by users and cybersecurity experts. To me, this is a case of paying a premium for quality, and I'd be more bullish than Moskovitz on the stock. Before you buy stock in CrowdStrike, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and CrowdStrike wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $620,719!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,511!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 959% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 170% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 12, 2025 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends CrowdStrike. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why CrowdStrike Holdings Stock Sank on a Positive Thursday for the Market was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CrowdStrike CEO Kurtz said 'not riding off into sunset', remains large shareholder
CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) CEO George Kurtz said reports that he sold virtually all of his stock are 'false.' Kurtz highlights that he moved stock into trusts for his family as well as causes he supports. He said he remains one of the largest individual shareholders. 'I am one of the largest individual shareholders of CrowdStrike,' Kurtz said on LinkedIn. 'We moved some stock into trusts for my family as well as to support causes we care about, like teenage mental health.' On the voting rights, he notes that since the IPO, he's always had less than a majority, and super-voting rights ended in December 2024. For people suggesting he is riding off into the sunset, Kurtz said, 'Not a chance.' 'As much as our competitors might wish I'd leave, or that I'm less in it, that's BS,' he stated. 'I'm all in. I'm not going anywhere.''I love CrowdStrike, I love what we're building, and I've never been more confident in our future - or more committed to our mission of stopping breaches.' Related articles CrowdStrike CEO Kurtz said 'not riding off into sunset', remains large shareholder DOJ probing Live Nation for possible collusion - Bloomberg Constellation Brands jumps as Berkshire raises stake
NDTV
10-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Company Responsible For Global IT Outage Last Year To Cut Jobs For AI Use
CrowdStrike, the infamous cybersecurity company responsible for the massive global IT outage last year, has announced that it will slash five per cent of its workforce due to "AI efficiency". CrowdStrike had 10,118 full-time employees as of January 31, but after the axe, around 500 employees would be let go, according to a report in The Guardian. Based in Austin, Texas, CrowdStrike's chief executive, George Kurtz, said the cuts would be made globally, with AI taking some of the jobs. Other reasons for the cuts included market demand for sustained growth and expanding the product offering. "We're operating in a market and technology inflection point, with AI reshaping every industry, accelerating threats, and evolving customer needs," said Mr Kurtz, adding that AI "flattens the hiring curve" and "helps us innovate from idea to product faster". "AI is a force multiplier throughout the business," he said. CrowdStrike became a publicly traded company in 2019 and had a revenue of $1 billion in March for the fourth financial quarter of 2025, with a loss of $92 million. As per the regulatory filing, the company will incur about $36 million to $53 million in charges related to the layoffs. What did Crowdstrike do? In July last year, CrowdStrike pushed a faulty update to its software intended to detect cybersecurity threats that brought down 8.5 million Windows systems worldwide. Global banks, airlines, hospitals, TV networks and government offices were disrupted due to the outage, which lasted a long time. AI taking jobs CrowdStrike is not the only company to use AI to phase out its human workers. Last month, language-learning platform Duolingo announced it would "gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle". The company justified its switch in approach, stating that it had taken a similar call in 2012 by betting big on mobile. "I've said this in Q&As and many meetings, but I want to make it official: Duolingo is going to be Al-first. Al is already changing how work gets done. It's not a question of if or when. It's happening now," said Mr Von Ahn in the all-hands memo, posted on Duolingo's LinkedIn page. Apart from not using contractors anymore, Duolingo will use AI to evaluate performance reviews. Additionally, headcounts will only be given if a team cannot automate more of their work.
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Every CISO Should Be Gunning For A Seat At The Board Table
CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz walked onto the RSAC 2025 stage with a smile, a swipe at his still-red hair, and a promise: 'This is not another AI talk.' Instead, he delivered something far more urgent for the security community—an invitation to reshape the boardroom. With economic uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and cybersecurity now among the top risks facing public companies, Kurtz issued a bold call to action: It's time for CISOs to earn their seat at the board table. His message was clear: in the next decade, cybersecurity expertise won't just be welcome on corporate boards—it will be indispensable. 'In the next decade, every public company will have a CISO on their board or they'll wish they would have,' Kurtz said. I've known Kurtz for more than 20 years. I first interviewed him while I was writing for and he was leading Foundstone and had co-authored the influential book Hacking Exposed. Since then, I've followed his trajectory as an entrepreneur, security leader, and now, CEO of a major public company. To explain why CISOs are poised for a governance breakthrough, Kurtz traced how board composition has evolved over time. Fifty years ago, board seats were often filled by insiders—friends of the CEO, typically with backgrounds in finance, law, or manufacturing. Few boards had formal audit committees, and risk oversight was minimal. That changed dramatically in the early 2000s. Corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom triggered legislative reforms, most notably the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The law ushered in modern audit committees and elevated the CFO role, making financial expertise a requirement in the boardroom. Kurtz sees a similar shift unfolding today, with breach disclosure regulations and escalating cyber threats driving cybersecurity into the spotlight. He emphasized that cyber risk has become a governance issue—not just a compliance checkbox. CISOs, he believes, are next in line to join the boardroom ranks if they're ready to evolve. The opportunity is tangible. Kurtz cited statistics showing that while 72% of boards seek cybersecurity experience, only 29% currently have it. That gap represents more than just a market inefficiency—it's an opening for qualified CISOs to step into strategic leadership roles. But technical acumen alone won't be enough. Kurtz explained that boards want more than someone who can explain vulnerabilities or security controls. They need executives who understand capital allocation, legal exposure, and business strategy. Kurtz made the case that CISOs must transition from being technical specialists to business leaders. It's not about knowing the most about firewalls or endpoint detection—it's about demonstrating the ability to influence business outcomes and contribute to board-level decision-making. To help security leaders make that leap, Kurtz offered a simple three-part framework: 1. Up-Level Business Skills CISOs should understand where and how their company creates value. That includes being fluent in financial reporting, knowing the responsibilities of key board committees, and being able to interpret the proxy statements that define director qualifications. Kurtz pointed to CrowdStrike's own board skills matrix as an example, noting how boards increasingly list cybersecurity and technology expertise as formal requirements. 2. Speak the Board's Language Kurtz summarized the board's priorities with a simple framework: time, money, and legal risk. Security leaders must learn to reframe threats in terms of these drivers. Boards want to know how an issue delays time-to-market, erodes margins, or increases legal liability—not how it affects the patch cycle. 3. Build Your Brand and Network with Purpose Rather than relying on technical reputation alone, Kurtz urged CISOs to actively cultivate visibility as strategic thinkers. That means staying in the boardroom after delivering updates, listening to committee discussions, and networking with directors at governance events like those hosted by the NACD. Over time, that engagement builds trust—and opportunity. To illustrate what success looks like, Kurtz pointed to Adam Zoller, CISO of CrowdStrike, who now sits on the board of AdventHealth. Kurtz emphasized that his appointment wasn't the result of a headhunter cold call—it was the outcome of years spent building financial fluency, engaging board members, and being viewed as more than just a security operator. Another example was Phil Venables, former CISO of Goldman Sachs and a veteran of several boardrooms. According to Kurtz, boards were drawn to Venables not just for his cybersecurity experience, but also for his leadership in cloud, AI, risk management, and compliance. Kurtz shared wisdom that Venables imparted on him, 'It's never just about security. It's about the broader strategic value an executive can bring.' Kurtz closed his talk by encouraging CISOs to reflect honestly on their own readiness. That includes identifying gaps in business or governance knowledge and building the skills required to earn—not just expect—a seat at the table. He stressed that CISOs need to take some initiative with boards. 'They're waiting for somebody to step up to the plate and grab their next board seat.' With board-level cyber risk now a permanent fixture, the demand for security leadership is stronger than ever. For CISOs willing to evolve and engage, the path is clear—and the moment is now. Kurtz emphasized that the time is now. 'The question is, will it be you at the board table?'
