Stan WongPalo Alto NetworksPANWCOMMENTJan 14, 2016

(The theme of today's Top Picks is cybersecurity, which is going to be a big deal. All the AI systems will have to be made more secure. Each of today's picks has already had a good run.)

Identity and endpoint security. Like the Home Hardware of cybersecurity. Suite of products for small- and medium-sized companies. Sweet margins. Price target of $337, runway's not that long. Buy a third here, another ~$300 (you'll get your chance over the next year), and the final third ~$285. No dividend.

Probably the one you want to get into, if you can get it at the right price.

Is up 89% this year. Revenues are up 31%, and RPO is up 36%. They spent $30 billion on three deals this year, so those synergies are still coming. Trades at 22x price-to-sales, but CRWD is higher.

Likes cybersecurity, but look at the move on the chart since April, and now it's gone parabolic -- doesn't like that trend. He doesn't want to be that buyer when everyone else is getting out.

That said, expects significant growth in security markets. Premier name, great company. Wait for a better entry point. The recent pullback is not enough. Be patient, you'll get your chance. Below $200 would be the time to take a look.

He wants to get back into the cybersecurity space. AI threats are increasing cyber budgets for governments and businesses. It has secular growth. He will go back into PANW or CRWD.

He likes the moat around the cybersecurity incumbents. Fears that Anthropic and AI would break cyber companies were overblown.

Is in a strong uptrend with higher highs since late February. Each pullback has been a fine buying opportunity with strong volumes. The Chakykin Money Flow shows strong institutional buying which surprised him in a good way. Are lots of options flows. The market is bullish.

Last Friday, the CEO bought $10 million of shares. Anthropic isn't a threat, but is really a tailwind. These cyber stocks won't jump tight back up in this difficult market, though.

After talking to tech CEOs, she doesn't believe AI will take over their business like PANW's but rather will get even more business as companies use more AI to code. Doesn't see the catalyst with PANW, but fundamentals are strong and product revenues and margins are growing. They will buy back $1 billion in shares. Trades at 10x price to sales (CRWD is at 25x). She will stick with it and will eventually buy more, though present weakness is frustrating.

He just bought more at $160. Expects cybersecurity stocks to embrace AI and does not expect Anthropic to take over this sector.

All cybersecurity sold off on earnings for some reason. More AI demands more cybersecurity, and since the Iran war, these stocks have been on a tear.

Earnings per share of $1.03 beat the $0.94 estimate, and revenue of $2.6B topped the $2.58B forecast. Revenue rose 15% year-over-year, driven by subscription and support sales (roughly 80% of total). Operating margins stayed around 30%, and RPO of $16.0B grew 23%. FY2026 guidance calls for 22-23% revenue growth and EPS of $3.65-$3.70. Investors found the profit outlook conservative despite strong results and raised revenue guidance, though this caution reflected integration costs from major acquisitions. They viewed the results as solid but noted the stock has declined with the broader software selloff. They would consider buying gradually at current levels while acknowledging potential for further downside. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

The price target is $210, and 77% of analysts have a buy rating, but the market thinks otherwise, as reflected in the declining price.

Guidance disappointed. Is -6% today and -16% for the year. It beat the top and bottom lines. They just closed Cyber Ark. AI was serve as a catalyst for cybersecurity stocks--companies will need cybersecurity, and the market misunderstands that.

They will solve the new cyber threats, but it will take time and money. This sell-off is probably a buying opportunity.