ZS AI Stock Analysis – Buy, Hold, or Avoid?
Zscaler, Inc. (ZS)
Fundamentals
Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) is a cloud security leader that operates in a fast-evolving sector, but recent financial performance and market dynamics indicate significant volatility and challenges. A wide disparity between its growth ambitions and realized profitability, coupled with current valuation pressures, underscores a complex investment case for ZS.
Financial Highlights
- Revenue
- Net Income
- Net Margin (%)
Revenue
25.91% YoY
Q4 2025
Net Income
-344.23% YoY
Q4 2025
Net Margin
Q4 2025
Growth Metrics
Revenue Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
Net Income Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
Revenue Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
EPS Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
Book Value Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
| Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q1 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 815.8M | 788.1M | 719.2M | 678.0M | 647.9M | 628.0M | 592.9M | 553.2M |
| Revenue Growth YoY | +25.91% | +25.50% | +21.31% | +22.57% | +23.41% | +26.42% | +30.30% | +32.09% |
| Net Income | -34.3M | -11.6M | -17.6M | -4.1M | -7.7M | -12.1M | -14.9M | 19.1M |
| Net Income Growth YoY | -344.23% | +3.62% | -18.15% | -121.57% | +72.87% | +64.01% | +51.50% | +141.53% |
| EPS | -$0.21 | -$0.07 | -$0.11 | -$0.03 | -$0.05 | -$0.08 | -$0.10 | $0.13 |
| EPS Growth YoY | -317.50% | +11.39% | -10.55% | -120.46% | +73.53% | +65.65% | +52.62% | +140.63% |
Profitability Metrics
Gross Margin
TTM
Operating Margin
TTM
Net Margin
TTM
Return on Equity
TTM
Return on Assets
TTM
| Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q1 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 76.55% | 76.56% | 76.14% | 77.01% | 77.09% | 77.34% | 77.94% | 78.47% |
| Operating Margin | -6.35% | -4.61% | -4.48% | -3.31% | -5.71% | -5.08% | -4.33% | -0.80% |
| Net Margin | -4.21% | -1.47% | -2.44% | -0.61% | -1.19% | -1.92% | -2.51% | 3.46% |
| Return on Equity (ROE) | -1.56% | -0.59% | -0.98% | -0.23% | -0.48% | -0.84% | -1.17% | 1.75% |
| Return on Assets (ROA) | -0.62% | -0.22% | -0.30% | -0.08% | -0.17% | -0.28% | -0.35% | 0.52% |
Technical Analysis
Technical indicator data for ZS is currently unavailable, limiting the depth of quantitative technical analysis. However, based on recent price action around $118 with a significant volume spike and broader price context, the stock appears to be in a corrective phase after a sharp downtrend from its 52-week high near $337. Traders should watch key support and resistance zones closely for signs of trend reversal or continuation.
Potential bounce ahead
Price in downtrend
Strong trend active
50 below 200 - bearish
Key Technical Values
Price with Moving Averages
50-day, 150-day and 200-day simple moving averages
Relative Strength Index
Momentum oscillator measuring speed and magnitude of price changes
RSI (14)
Earnings
Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) is a cloud security leader that operates in a fast-evolving sector, but recent financial performance and market dynamics indicate significant volatility and challenges. A wide disparity between its growth ambitions and realized profitability, coupled with current valuation pressures, underscores a complex investment case for ZS.
Latest Earnings
Q4 2025 Earnings (Jan 31, 2026)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Actual
$1.01
Estimated
$0.89
Surprise
+$0.12
Surprise %
+12.98%
Revenue
Actual
$815.75M
Estimated
$798.33M
Surprise
+$17.42M
Surprise %
+2.18%
Historical Earnings
| Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q1 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Per Share | ||||||||
| EPS (Actual) | $1.01 | $0.96 | $0.89 | $0.84 | $0.78 | $0.77 | $0.88 | $0.88 |
| EPS (Estimated) | $0.89 | $0.86 | $0.80 | $0.75 | $0.69 | $0.63 | $0.70 | $0.66 |
| EPS Surprise | +$0.12 | +$0.10 | +$0.09 | +$0.09 | +$0.09 | +$0.14 | +$0.18 | +$0.22 |
| % Diff | +13.0% | +12.1% | +11.2% | +11.7% | +13.5% | +22.2% | +25.0% | +33.9% |
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Revenue (Actual) | $815.75M | $788.11M | $719.23M | $678.03M | $647.9M | $627.96M | $592.87M | $553.2M |
| Revenue (Estimated) | $798.33M | $773.28M | $706.94M | $666.46M | $634.38M | $605.51M | $567.46M | $536.12M |
| Revenue Surprise | +$17.42M | +$14.83M | +$12.28M | +$11.58M | +$13.52M | +$22.44M | +$25.4M | +$17.08M |
| % Diff | +2.2% | +1.9% | +1.7% | +1.7% | +2.1% | +3.7% | +4.5% | +3.2% |
Valuation
Zscaler (ZS) presents a complex valuation scenario with premium market multiples juxtaposed against ongoing profitability challenges. While the stock trades significantly below its 52-week highs amidst bearish technical signals, strong revenue growth and favorable analyst price targets suggest robust longer-term potential. The company appears moderately undervalued relative to its growth prospects when compared to sector peers, but risks remain considerable due to high valuation multiples and competitive pressures.
Valuation Metrics
Price to Earnings
TTM
Price to Sales
TTM
Price to Book
TTM
Enterprise Value to EBITDA
TTM
Enterprise Value to Revenue
TTM
| Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q1 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price to Earnings | -232.70 | -1130.38 | -635.58 | -2123.38 | -1007.65 | -572.17 | -450.80 | 339.77 |
| Price to Sales | 39.15 | 66.64 | 62.13 | 51.67 | 48.05 | 43.92 | 45.25 | 46.98 |
| Price to Book | 14.54 | 26.49 | 24.84 | 19.41 | 19.37 | 19.31 | 21.06 | 23.78 |
| Enterprise Value to EBITDA | 1124.87 | 1513.07 | 1270.87 | 879.11 | 2114.54 | 1124.31 | 1156.99 | 586.13 |
| Enterprise Value to Revenue | 39.96 | 67.27 | 61.31 | 50.55 | 47.25 | 43.42 | 44.94 | 46.94 |
Sentiment & Analyst Ratings
Zscaler (ZS) exhibits a mixed to cautiously optimistic sentiment profile amid significant volatility and valuation pressures. While recent competition and growth moderation concerns have caused price softness, strong analyst buy ratings and positive long-term growth expectations, particularly around AI security, suggest underlying confidence in the stock's prospects. Social investor sentiment is divided, influenced by both positive fundamentals and fears around AI-driven industry disruption.
Analyst Recommendations
Risk Assessment
Zscaler demonstrates solid liquidity with ample short-term asset coverage and a moderate leverage profile, reflecting a balanced capital structure. However, the company faces notable operational risks emerging from the evolving cybersecurity landscape, particularly AI-driven threats and intensifying competition, which could pressure future earnings and growth sustainability.
Liquidity & Solvency
Current Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
Quick Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
Debt-to-Equity
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
Debt-to-Assets
Latest Quarter: Q4 2025
| Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q1 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidity Metrics | ||||||||
| Current Ratio | 1.90 | 1.82 | 2.01 | 1.24 | 1.20 | 1.15 | 1.09 | 1.75 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.90 | 1.82 | 2.01 | 1.24 | 1.20 | 1.15 | 1.09 | 1.75 |
| Solvency Metrics | ||||||||
| Debt-to-Equity | 0.85 | 0.93 | 1.00 | 0.68 | 0.77 | 0.87 | 0.97 | 1.13 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.23 | 0.25 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.29 |
Liquidity Assessment
Current Ratio: 1.90(Strong)
Quick Ratio: 1.90(Strong)
The company has strong liquidity with sufficient short-term assets to cover liabilities.
Solvency Assessment
Debt-to-Equity: 0.85(Moderate)
Debt-to-Assets: 0.28(Low)
The company maintains a balanced capital structure with manageable debt levels.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZS
AI Answers: Common Questions About ZS
Get AI-powered answers to the questions investors ask most about Zscaler, Inc.
ZS is not a good buy right now for most investors: the stock trades at $118.05, near its 52-week low of $114.63 and far below its high of $336.99, reflecting persistent negative margins (P/E -274.53), slowing growth, and bearish technicals. While the long-term opportunity is compelling, the risk of further downside is elevated unless profitability improves or technicals stabilize.
Short-term traders should consider selling or reducing exposure given the strong downtrend, high volume on declines, and lack of reversal signals. Long-term holders may choose to hold if they believe in the secular cloud security story, but should monitor for further earnings misses or technical breakdowns below $114 support.
The biggest risks are ongoing operating losses (net and operating margins deeply negative), intensifying competition from peers like Cloudflare and Netskope, and high volatility (beta ~1.49) that could amplify losses if sector sentiment worsens. Debt is moderate (debt/equity ~0.85), but negative interest coverage and reliance on growth to justify valuation remain concerns.
Technical support is near $114.60, with downside risk to $110 or even $105 if selling persists; resistance is at $125-$135. Analyst median price targets are much higher (~$225), but these assume operational improvement and a reversal of current trends, which is not yet evident.
ZS is fairly valued relative to its growth profile, trading at high P/S and EV/EBITDA multiples that reflect investor optimism about future earnings. However, the negative P/E (-274.53) and ongoing losses mean the valuation premium is only justified if profitability improves; otherwise, multiples could compress further.
Fundamentally, ZS is strong in market position and revenue growth (historically >20% YoY), but weak in profitability, with negative margins, repeated earnings misses, and slowing sequential growth. Liquidity is solid (current ratio ~1.9), but the path to positive earnings remains unclear.
Technically, ZS is in a pronounced downtrend with high volume selling and no clear reversal; support is at $114.60, and a break below could trigger further declines. Momentum is negative, and the stock is likely below all key moving averages, signaling continued bearishness.
Key catalysts include upcoming earnings reports (potential for margin improvement or further misses), new product launches (especially in AI security), and macro events affecting IT spending. Watch for signs of operational turnaround or stabilization in technicals before considering new positions.
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