F5 Networks Inc. (FFIV - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Apr 24.
The company’s surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering average positive earnings surprise of 5.33%.
F5 Networks is benefiting from strong software growth, backed by a solid uptick in public cloud and security offerings. Strong momentum in the security market is expected to drive adoption of its security solutions.
For the fiscal second quarter, F5 Networks expects revenues in the range of $543-$553 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $546.7 million, indicating growth of 2.51% from the year-ago reported figure.
Moreover, the company anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share in the band of $2.53-$2.56. The consensus estimate of $2.55 has been stable lately ahead of the company’s earnings release.
Let’s see how things are shaping up for the upcoming announcement.
Factors at Play
Growth in services and software solutions segment is a key driver for F5 Networks. For the fiscal second quarter, the company’s traction in public cloud deployments, given the surge in demand for security in the multi-cloud environment, is a tailwind.
Also, strength in product revenues is likely to be a positive. Adoption of flexible consumption models is expected to continue, driving demand of company’s new cloud offerings, including the BIG-IP Cloud Edition.
For the fiscal second quarter, robust sales to enterprise customers are expected. Higher application traffic with 5G architectures is also likely to be a key driver.
However, softness within service providers vertical, as some of its larger customers are planning their next-generation application architectures, remains a concern. Weakness in the telecom segment is expected to continue into the second fiscal quarter.
Higher spending on cloud and security, the largest growing areas of its business, is expected to keep the margin slightly under pressure.
Notably, Cisco Systems (CSCO - Free Report) poses the biggest competitive threat to the company, given its dominance in the overall networking market. In February this year, Cisco expanded its partnership with Telenor Group over cybersecurity, cloud and the digital workplace, further strengthening its position in the security market.
Further, Airtel’s recent partnership with Cisco to build India's largest 5G-ready, IP-based fully automated network has put further pressure on F5 Networks’ market share.
Moreover, the string of announcements throughout the fiscal second quarter by Juniper Networks (JNPR - Free Report) on efforts in the networking market does not bode well for F5 Networks.
What the Zacks Model Says
According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided.
F5 Networks has a Zacks Rank #4 and its Earnings ESP is 0.00%.You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stock to Consider
Here is a stock which you may consider as our model shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the upcoming release:
Acacia Communications, Inc. has an Earnings ESP of +5.73% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%.
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F5 Networks Inc. (FFIV - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Apr 24.
The company’s surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering average positive earnings surprise of 5.33%.
F5 Networks is benefiting from strong software growth, backed by a solid uptick in public cloud and security offerings. Strong momentum in the security market is expected to drive adoption of its security solutions.
For the fiscal second quarter, F5 Networks expects revenues in the range of $543-$553 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $546.7 million, indicating growth of 2.51% from the year-ago reported figure.
Moreover, the company anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share in the band of $2.53-$2.56. The consensus estimate of $2.55 has been stable lately ahead of the company’s earnings release.
Let’s see how things are shaping up for the upcoming announcement.
Factors at Play
Growth in services and software solutions segment is a key driver for F5 Networks. For the fiscal second quarter, the company’s traction in public cloud deployments, given the surge in demand for security in the multi-cloud environment, is a tailwind.
Also, strength in product revenues is likely to be a positive. Adoption of flexible consumption models is expected to continue, driving demand of company’s new cloud offerings, including the BIG-IP Cloud Edition.
For the fiscal second quarter, robust sales to enterprise customers are expected. Higher application traffic with 5G architectures is also likely to be a key driver.
However, softness within service providers vertical, as some of its larger customers are planning their next-generation application architectures, remains a concern. Weakness in the telecom segment is expected to continue into the second fiscal quarter.
Higher spending on cloud and security, the largest growing areas of its business, is expected to keep the margin slightly under pressure.
Notably, Cisco Systems (CSCO - Free Report) poses the biggest competitive threat to the company, given its dominance in the overall networking market. In February this year, Cisco expanded its partnership with Telenor Group over cybersecurity, cloud and the digital workplace, further strengthening its position in the security market.
Further, Airtel’s recent partnership with Cisco to build India's largest 5G-ready, IP-based fully automated network has put further pressure on F5 Networks’ market share.
Moreover, the string of announcements throughout the fiscal second quarter by Juniper Networks (JNPR - Free Report) on efforts in the networking market does not bode well for F5 Networks.
What the Zacks Model Says
According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided.
F5 Networks has a Zacks Rank #4 and its Earnings ESP is 0.00%.You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stock to Consider
Here is a stock which you may consider as our model shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the upcoming release:
Acacia Communications, Inc. has an Earnings ESP of +5.73% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%.
See Latest Stocks Today >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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