CrowdStrike (CRWD:NSD), the renowned cybersecurity company, is set to announce its first-quarter financial results for Fiscal 2024 on May 31. With a consistent track record of surpassing Wall Street’s earnings estimates in recent quarters, investors and analysts are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this latest report.
While there is optimism surrounding CrowdStrike’s ability to exceed expectations once again, some experts predict a potential softening of growth due to the normalization of demand trends post-COVID. Nonetheless, the overall outlook remains positive, bolstered by the strong financial performance of its peer, Zscaler (ZS:NSD), which recently reported better-than-expected preliminary Q3 results. This indicates an improved customer engagement for cybersecurity firms and bodes well for CrowdStrike and other companies operating in this space.
The market has responded favorably to CrowdStrike’s prospects, as evidenced by the 28% gain in CRWD stock during May 2023. Year-to-date, the stock has climbed over 43%, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s ability to thrive in the evolving operating environment. However, it’s worth noting that Goldman Sachs analyst Gabriela Borges considers CRWD stock to be somewhat volatile due to the anticipated normalization of the growth rate.
CRWD Stock-Analyst Views:
Market analysts have weighed in with their expectations for CrowdStrike’s Q1 performance. They anticipate total revenue of $677.39 million, falling within the company’s own guidance range of $674.9 million to $678.2 million. This represents a year-over-year growth rate of nearly 39%, although it does indicate a slight sequential moderation compared to the 48% increase observed in Q4.
In terms of earnings per share, Wall Street analysts forecast $0.51 for Q1, aligning closely with management’s guidance of $0.50 to $0.51 per share. This anticipated growth rate of approximately 65% year-over-year highlights the high expectations surrounding CrowdStrike’s profitability.
CRWD Stock Forecast:
As the Q1 earnings release approaches, analysts maintain a bullish sentiment toward CRWD stock. According to Stock Target Advisor, CrowdStrike holds a Strong Buy consensus rating, supported by 29 Buy and three Hold recommendations. The average price target of $168.52 suggests a potential upside of 9.34% from the current trading levels, further signaling a positive outlook for investors.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, CrowdStrike’s upcoming Q1 financial results are highly anticipated by investors and analysts alike. With a history of consistently surpassing earnings estimates, the company’s ability to maintain its leadership position in the next-gen endpoint market remains a focal point.
While some caution against potential volatility due to the normalization of growth rates, the overall sentiment remains optimistic. Investors will closely monitor the results and subsequent guidance from CrowdStrike to gauge its future prospects and determine whether CRWD stock is a buy, sell, or hold.
