How Analysts Are Reacting to Fortinet Earnings

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By Paul Ausick Updated Published
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How Analysts Are Reacting to Fortinet Earnings

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Fortinet Inc. (NASDAQ: FTNT) reported first-quarter results after markets closed Tuesday and the reaction was swift and frothy. Shares jumped more than 10% at the opening bell on Wednesday, and although the price has moderated somewhat, the stock traded up more than 7% in the early afternoon with more than double average daily volume.

The security technology maker reported a 34% year-over-year increase in revenues to $284.6 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.12, a third higher than the consensus estimate for per share profit of nine cents.

Total billings rose 30% to $330.5 million and deferred revenue rose by almost 6% sequentially. The company did not offer any guidance in its earnings announcement, but analysts are looking for earnings per share of $0.15 and revenues of $300.8 million in the second quarter. Full-year estimates call for earnings of $0.68 per share and revenues of $1.25 billion.
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In the meantime, analysts weighed in with some price target changes:

  • Cowen rates the stock at Outperform and raised its price target from $37 to $39.
  • Evercore ISI raised its price target from $30 to $34 with a Hold rating.
  • FBR bumped its price target from $35 to $41 and has an Outperform rating on the stock.
  • Goldman Sachs raised its price target from $39 to $42 and has the stock on its Conviction Buy list.
  • Piper Jaffray boosted its price target from $30 to $33 with a Neutral rating.
  • RBC raised its price target from $35 to $36 and rates the stock Sector Perform.

On Wednesday, shares traded at $33.02, up about 6.7% for the day, in a 52-week range of $23.16 to $50.31. The consensus price target was $39.07 and the latest changes have very likely not been included.

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About the Author Paul Ausick →

Paul Ausick has been writing for a673b.bigscoots-temp.com for more than a decade. He has written extensively on investing in the energy, defense, and technology sectors. In a previous life, he wrote technical documentation and managed a marketing communications group in Silicon Valley.

He has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Chicago and now lives in Montana, where he fishes for trout in the summer and stays inside during the winter.

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