Palo Alto Networks, Inc. $PANW Stock: Candriam S.C.A. Lowers Position

Candriam S.C.A. decreased its holdings in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) by 29.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 676,466 shares of the network technology company’s stock after selling 286,588 shares during the period. Palo Alto Networks accounts for about 1.2% of Candriam S.C.A.’s portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Candriam S.C.A. owned approximately 0.08% of Palo Alto Networks worth $269,749,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PANW. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in Palo Alto Networks during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Palo Alto Networks in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Palo Alto Networks in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Principia Wealth Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Palo Alto Networks by 125.0% in the 2nd quarter. Principia Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 81 shares of the network technology company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Putney Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Palo Alto Networks during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.82% of the company’s stock.

Palo Alto Networks Stock Performance

NASDAQ PANW opened at $313.84 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. has a 1-year low of $139.57 and a 1-year high of $432.33. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $370.30 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $273.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $256.96 billion, a PE ratio of 615.38, a P/E/G ratio of 9.00 and a beta of 0.96.

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 1st. The network technology company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $3.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.35 billion. Palo Alto Networks had a return on equity of 8.50% and a net margin of 2.67%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 34.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.95 EPS. Palo Alto Networks has set its FY 2027 guidance at 4.160-4.190 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 0.960-0.980 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Palo Alto Networks, Inc. will post 2.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $326.00 to $384.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Loop Capital upped their target price on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $290.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $350.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $375.00 target price (up from $370.00) on shares of Palo Alto Networks in a research note on Wednesday, September 2nd. Finally, HSBC reduced their price target on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $201.00 to $190.00 in a report on Thursday, September 3rd. Thirty-nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Palo Alto Networks has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $398.55.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Dipak Golechha sold 27,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $391.60, for a total value of $10,769,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 117,750 shares in the company, valued at approximately $46,110,900. The trade was a 18.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Aparna Bawa sold 250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, October 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $412.28, for a total transaction of $103,070.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 4,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,825,163.56. The trade was a 5.35% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 54,210 shares of company stock valued at $20,823,029 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks, Inc is a cybersecurity company that provides products and services to help organizations protect their networks, cloud environments, devices and applications. Its offerings include next-generation firewalls, cloud security tools, secure access services and platforms for detecting and responding to cyber threats.

The company’s product portfolio includes Prisma for cloud and network security and Cortex for security operations, including threat detection and response. It also provides cybersecurity consulting and incident-response services through Unit 42.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Palo Alto Networks serves businesses, government agencies and other organizations around the world.