CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD-Q)

Cybersecurity is the utility of technology, a necessity. Not economically sensitive, so won't get a big boost in a strong economy. But it's very consistent.

He owns this and a cyber ETF. Expectations in the group are high, and the multiples aren't cheap. He doesn't actually have a ton of tech exposure right now, having moved to more economically sensitive names.

They reported a solid quarter yesterday but shares slid 5.77% today. Well, the stock came in hot, rallying 64% from the April lows. It was priced for perfection. The report delivered in-line sales and an earnings beat, but next quarter's guidance was light. He raised his price target--the quarter was good.

It reports Tuesday. We just had 3 cybersecurity companies report weak quarters. CRWD shares are above the last quarter when it missed and slumped. But he believes in it--if they survive that massage outage, you should own this. 

Always expensive, but his research discussions show that it's the best at what it does (endpoint security). In hindsight, should probably always buy on dips. Great company, though valuation is hard to swallow. Overall security software space is very attractive -- one of the most defensive parts of the software industry.

He sticks with PANW.

Earnings missed, though self-driving cars are their single-biggest opportunity. He just added more Uber and Crowdstrike that he's owned for years. CRWD is one of the best performers on the S&P this year; they had a lot of ground to make up for and has returned to past levels, pre-outage. They saw a 23% increase in annual recurring revenue, a key metric. Shares are 26% above their 200-day, so firmly in a long-term uptrend. Another super quarter by CRWD.

They caused the global outage last August. He targets $408. He doesn't sell or buy all at once, but in thirds. So, if you wish to sell, sell a third of your holding and buy a better peer, Sentinel One.

There's no shortage of cyber attacks and threats. That's why CRWD hit a high of $455 on Feb 19. Since then, shares have plunged to $308. He was selling, but today he bought back shares which are back to last summer's levels when they caused a massive worldwide outage. EPS guidance was light, but that reflected a higher tax rate ahead. Are already seeing a big return from AI, helping them catch hackers and reducing working hours by employees (labour savings). They beat earnings and revenues and delivered record cash flow. He bought more on today's weakness.

HOLD; CRWD reported earnings yesterday. Q4 results were solid but the guidance was less than expected. The company is likely being conservative, but operating expenses rose and we would like to see this settle in. We will have more quarterly comments to be posted before the opening tomorrow.
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Best of breed in cybersecurity, but plunged over 6% today after reporting a top and bottom line beat, but earnings guidance was soft for this quarter and full year. Shares had run up 94% from its August lows, priced for perfection. He added shares today, because he expects an accelerated second-half of 2025.

Is outperforming the sector. Buyers will re-surface on any pullback. Management recovered from last summer's misstep. There remains good demand for cybersecurity, a dominant theme in tech.

Fine growth and amazing turnaround story.

12-month price target of $408, not much room to go. Instead, look at SentinelOne.