Latest news with #Zafrir
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Israel's Check Point Software aims to go it alone as cyber security sales rise
By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM: The CEO of Check Point Software Technologies said the Israeli company was not looking to be bought out like some local rivals, as it reported a second-quarter profit boosted by higher sales of products to protect and prevent corporate networks from cyber threats. Nadav Zafrir on Wednesday said the network security company, which is valued at $24 billion and whose Nasdaq-listed shares are up 17% so far this year, would prefer to use its $3 billion cash pile on its own acquisitions. A day earlier the Wall Street Journal reported that Palo Alto Networks was in talks to acquire Israeli rival CyberArk Software in a deal that could be worth more than $20 billion, while Google is buying Wiz for $32 billion Zafrir told reporters his company, which operates an open platform, had not been approached by Palo Alto, nor was it interested. "We have a be the number one player in the acquisitions are definitely a part of that," Zafrir said. "We always have the option to either build it or buy it, or do both at the same time," he said. Check Point reported earnings of $2.37 per diluted share excluding one-off items for the April-June quarter, up 9% from a year earlier and broadly in line with the $2.36 expected by analysts, according to LSEG data. Revenue grew 6% to $665 million, just topping LSEG's forecast of $662 million. Product and licence revenue rose 12% to $132 million in the quarter, while security subscription revenue gained 10% to $298 million. Zafrir said the third quarter is "shaping up well with strong July indicators". "We have a healthy pipeline heading into the second half of the year underscoring our full-year outlook," he added. Check Point bought back 1.5 million of its own shares at a total cost of about $325 million in the second quarter.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AMD downgraded, Roku reinstated: Wall Street's top analyst calls
The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly. Easily identify stocks' risks and opportunities. Discover stocks' market position with detailed competitor analyses. Top 5 Upgrades: BofA upgraded Check Point (CHKP) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $260, up from $230. The firm believes new CEO Nadav Zafrir is taking steps to 'fundamentally change the outlook,' citing two factors for its upgrade, namely 'encouraging' signs of new go-to-market and product initiatives as well as the background and pedigree of Zafrir RBC Capital upgraded Northrop Grumman (NOC) to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $575, up from $500. The firm believes the positive shift in Northrop sentiment has 'significant room to run' as the company is well positioned relative to shifting Department of Defense priorities, execution on the B-21 remains strong, which could support an improved funding outlook, and the perception of the company relative to defense peers has improved. Wolfe Research upgraded Equinix (EQIX) to Outperform from Peer Perform with a $978 price target. Reduced job/GDP growth estimates may place many REITs at risks, but Equinix's strong balance sheet, low dividend payout, and large cash balance offer relative support in a downturn, the firm says. Goldman Sachs upgraded Par Pacific (PARR) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $19, up from $18, implying 34% upside. The firm sees a 'compelling risk/reward set-up' at current share levels. Morgan Stanley upgraded Liberty Energy (LBRT) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $25, up from $20. Against a muted macro backdrop for North American shale completions markets, the firm favors 'premium players' like Liberty. Top 5 Downgrades: Jefferies downgraded AMD (AMD) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $120, down from $135. The firm cites the company's 'limited traction' in artificial intelligence, its belief Street estimates are too high, and expectations of mounting competition from Intel (INTC) for the downgrade. RBC Capital downgraded Lockheed Martin (LMT) to Sector Perform from Outperform with a price target of $480, down from $550. The firm believes the F-35 faces greater headline risk for international sales and increased U.S. budget pressure. Argus downgraded McCormick (MCK) to Hold from Buy. The company's Flavor Solutions segment is expected to be hurt by weak foot traffic at some restaurants in the EMEA and U.S segments, while cost headwinds in the form of higher input prices and management's plans to increase brand marketing spending at a high-single pace are likely to limit earnings growth in 2025 and beyond, the firm tells investors in a research note. JPMorgan downgraded TrueCar (TRUE) to Underweight from Neutral without a price target. The implementation of 25% tariffs on all imported automobiles, in addition to imported parts over time, is 'unequivocally negative' for the auto retail ecosystem in the near- and medium-term, the firm tells investors in a research note. JPMorgan also downgraded CarGurus (CARG) and Openlane (KAR) to Neutral from Overweight. Wells Fargo downgraded Omega Healthcare (OHI) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $39, down from $41. While the market certainly has already priced in some of the risk, the firm is moving to the sidelines as its base case of cuts includes reducing provider taxes. Top 5 Initiations: BofA reinstated coverage of Roku (ROKU) with a Buy rating and $100 price target. As a leading video streaming platform company that provides access to a wide array of content via their hardware devices and operating software, Roku is 'poised to enter the next phase of monetization,' which will drive revenue and profitability growth for the foreseeable future, the firm tells investors. RBC Capital initiated coverage of Badger Meter (BMI) with an Outperform rating and $251 price target. The firm cites the company's highest five-year organic revenue and EPS growth rates among its peers under coverage, also noting that in addition to its leadership in smart water meters and attractive global growth dynamics, Badger Meter has strategically moved into water test. Morgan Stanley resumed coverage of Helmerich & Payne (HP) with an Underweight rating and $27 price target. The firm notes that recently launched Middle East unconventional drilling campaigns may offer less upside than it had previously thought and U.S. land drilling activity and pricing/margin upside may be more limited than consensus expectations. Stifel initiated coverage of Roper Technologies (ROP) with a Buy rating and $685 price target. The firm believes Roper is well-positioned to sustain its history of strong free cash flow growth through its disciplined acquisition activity and accelerating organic growth in its software and networks businesses. D. Boral Capital initiated coverage of Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) with a Buy rating and $15 price target. Vertical, which recently secured strategic investments while updating its long-term roadmap, has emerged as 'one of the few remaining' European-based contenders in the 'increasingly challenging' electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft market, the firm tells investors. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders' Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on CHKP: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Check Point upgraded to Buy at BofA on confidence in new CEO Check Point upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA Check Point Submits Bid for Tel Aviv Land Expansion Strong Financial Performance and Growth Prospects Lead to Buy Rating for Check Point Software Technologies Google deal for Wiz could pressure cloud vendors in near-term, says Jefferies Sign in to access your portfolio
