Cybercrime Surge Fuels Demand For Cybersecurity ETFs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 06 2025
0mins
Should l Buy FTNT?
Source: Benzinga
Cybersecurity Threats and Investment Opportunities: Recent cyberattacks, including breaches by Salt Typhoon hackers and Russian-backed groups targeting Ukraine, highlight the growing sophistication of cybercrimes, prompting increased investments in cybersecurity measures.
Top Cybersecurity ETFs for Investors: Three notable ETFs—Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG), Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK), and iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (IHAK)—offer diverse exposure to leading cybersecurity companies, making them attractive options for investors looking to capitalize on the booming market.
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Analyst Views on FTNT
Wall Street analysts forecast FTNT stock price to rise
24 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
18 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 81.100
Low
70.00
Averages
84.18
High
100.00
Current: 81.100
Low
70.00
Averages
84.18
High
100.00
About FTNT
Fortinet, Inc. is engaged in cybersecurity, driving the convergence of networking and security. The Company’s integrated platform, Fortinet Security Fabric, spans secure networking, unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven security operations (SecOps). Its products and services include FortiOS, FortiASIC, FortiCloud, FortiAI, FortiEndpoint, and OT Security. The FortiGuard Labs is a cybersecurity threat intelligence and research organization comprised of experienced threat hunters, researchers, analysts, engineers and data scientists who develop and utilize machine learning and AI technologies. FortiGuard and Other Security Services are a suite of AI-powered security capabilities that are integrated as part of the Fortinet Security Fabric to deliver coordinated detection and enforcement across the entire attack surface. FortiCare Technical Support Service is a per-device technical support service. It also operates Fortinet Training Institute.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Market Dynamics and Investment Opportunities Analysis
- Oil Price Volatility: Global benchmark Brent crude has fallen from yesterday's high of $85.12 to around $81, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that the Trump administration plans to announce measures to stabilize oil flows in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the need for policy intervention.
- CrowdStrike's Strong Earnings: CrowdStrike exceeded expectations across key financial metrics, with CEO George Kurtz emphasizing that AI serves as a tailwind for data protection rather than a hindrance, and despite cautious market sentiment, the stock remains flat, indicating investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
- Ross Stores' Robust Performance: Ross Stores reported a 9% increase in same-store sales for the holiday quarter, significantly surpassing the 5.1% consensus, leading to a nearly 7% premarket stock rise, demonstrating strong consumer acceptance of its off-price retail model.
- Target Stock Upgrades: Following a surprisingly positive report, Target received two upgrades from analysts, with Bernstein moving from sell to hold and Telsey Advisory Group upgrading from hold to buy with a target price of $145, reflecting market optimism regarding the new CEO's potential impact.
See More
CrowdStrike Exceeds Expectations in Quarterly Results, AI Fuels Growth
- Significant Revenue Growth: CrowdStrike reported a 23% year-over-year revenue increase in Q4 FY2024, reaching $1.305 billion, surpassing the market expectation of $1.297 billion, indicating strong performance in the cybersecurity sector.
- Adjusted EPS Beat: The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.12, exceeding the analyst estimate of $1.10, reflecting the company's sustained profitability, although shares dipped slightly in after-hours trading.
- Annual Recurring Revenue Surge: The net new annual recurring revenue totaled $331 million, above the analyst forecast of $304 million, representing a 47% year-over-year growth, marking a successful expansion in customer relationships and revenue stability.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management forecasts revenue for FY2027 to be between $5.87 billion and $5.93 billion, exceeding the FactSet consensus estimate of $5.86 billion, showcasing confidence in future growth driven by AI technology demand.
See More
Escalating Cyberattack Threat from Iran Amid U.S. Tensions
- Protests Escalate: Hundreds of Iraqi Shiites protested in Baghdad against U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, indicating a rise in regional tensions that could lead to larger conflicts and instability.
- Increased Cyberattack Risk: Cybersecurity experts warn that Iran may launch attacks on U.S. businesses and infrastructure at a high-risk moment, highlighting the rising potential for cyber threats against critical sectors.
- CISA Challenges: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) faces significant challenges due to a partial government shutdown and management reshuffle, resulting in staff shortages and resource constraints that may weaken its ability to counteract cyber threats.
- Financial Sector Vigilance: JPMorgan Chase's CEO noted that banks could be targets for cyberattacks, anticipating an increase in global cyber or terrorist threats, which underscores the financial industry's heightened focus on cybersecurity.
See More
Iran Faces Severe Internet Blackout Amid Conflict
- Current Internet Blackout: Iran is experiencing a near-total internet blackout lasting over 48 hours amid ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel, with connectivity at just 1% of normal levels, severely impacting over 90 million citizens and highlighting the government's strict control over information flow.
- Historical Context: NetBlocks attributes this blackout to a 'regime-imposed' nationwide shutdown, reminiscent of a similar incident in January that lasted weeks and obscured severe human rights violations, indicating the government's tendency to employ such tactics during public protests to maintain control.
- Cyber Attack Threats: U.S. and Israeli cyberattacks have targeted Iranian internet infrastructure, with multiple government-aligned news websites hacked, and even the popular religious calendar app BadeSaba, with over 5 million downloads, compromised, indicating a psychological warfare strategy against the populace.
- Potential Cyber Retaliation: As Iran retaliates with strikes against U.S. and allied targets, analysts warn that Iranian-aligned groups may initiate cyber attacks, with CrowdStrike's head noting observed activities consistent with Iranian threat actors, suggesting that more aggressive cyber operations may be forthcoming.
See More
US Stocks Decline as AI Disrupts Markets
- Market Weakness: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.61%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1.17%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 0.41%, reflecting investor concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, which has put overall market sentiment under pressure.
- Producer Prices Rise: The US January Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 0.5% month-over-month and 2.9% year-over-year, exceeding expectations, indicating rising inflationary pressures that could influence the Fed's interest rate decisions and increase market uncertainty.
- Strong Economic Data: Despite the market downturn, the February Chicago PMI unexpectedly rose to 57.7, signaling signs of economic expansion, which may alleviate some investor concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.
- Airline Stocks Under Pressure: With WTI crude oil prices reaching a 6.5-month high, airline stocks are generally declining, with United Airlines down over 8%, reflecting the potential threat of rising fuel costs on airline profitability.
See More
US Stocks Decline as AI Concerns Weigh on Market Sentiment
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.90%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1.57%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 0.71%, reflecting investor concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, which has intensified selling pressure across the market.
- Producer Prices Rise: The US January Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 0.5% month-over-month and 2.9% year-over-year, surpassing expectations, indicating persistent inflationary pressures that may hinder the Fed's ability to cut interest rates in the near term, negatively impacting stock valuations.
- Geopolitical Risks Intensify: WTI crude oil prices surged over 2% to a 6.5-month high due to disappointing outcomes from US-Iran nuclear talks, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions and adding to investor anxiety in the stock market.
- Mixed Stock Performances: Dell Technologies surged over 10% following a strong sales forecast for its AI servers, while cybersecurity stocks like Zscaler plummeted over 11%, illustrating a divergence in market reactions and reflecting investor caution towards technology stocks.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Opportunities Analysis
- Oil Price Volatility: Global benchmark Brent crude has fallen from yesterday's high of $85.12 to around $81, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that the Trump administration plans to announce measures to stabilize oil flows in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the need for policy intervention.
- CrowdStrike's Strong Earnings: CrowdStrike exceeded expectations across key financial metrics, with CEO George Kurtz emphasizing that AI serves as a tailwind for data protection rather than a hindrance, and despite cautious market sentiment, the stock remains flat, indicating investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
- Ross Stores' Robust Performance: Ross Stores reported a 9% increase in same-store sales for the holiday quarter, significantly surpassing the 5.1% consensus, leading to a nearly 7% premarket stock rise, demonstrating strong consumer acceptance of its off-price retail model.
- Target Stock Upgrades: Following a surprisingly positive report, Target received two upgrades from analysts, with Bernstein moving from sell to hold and Telsey Advisory Group upgrading from hold to buy with a target price of $145, reflecting market optimism regarding the new CEO's potential impact.
See More
CrowdStrike Exceeds Expectations in Quarterly Results, AI Fuels Growth
- Significant Revenue Growth: CrowdStrike reported a 23% year-over-year revenue increase in Q4 FY2024, reaching $1.305 billion, surpassing the market expectation of $1.297 billion, indicating strong performance in the cybersecurity sector.
- Adjusted EPS Beat: The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.12, exceeding the analyst estimate of $1.10, reflecting the company's sustained profitability, although shares dipped slightly in after-hours trading.
- Annual Recurring Revenue Surge: The net new annual recurring revenue totaled $331 million, above the analyst forecast of $304 million, representing a 47% year-over-year growth, marking a successful expansion in customer relationships and revenue stability.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management forecasts revenue for FY2027 to be between $5.87 billion and $5.93 billion, exceeding the FactSet consensus estimate of $5.86 billion, showcasing confidence in future growth driven by AI technology demand.
See More
Escalating Cyberattack Threat from Iran Amid U.S. Tensions
- Protests Escalate: Hundreds of Iraqi Shiites protested in Baghdad against U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, indicating a rise in regional tensions that could lead to larger conflicts and instability.
- Increased Cyberattack Risk: Cybersecurity experts warn that Iran may launch attacks on U.S. businesses and infrastructure at a high-risk moment, highlighting the rising potential for cyber threats against critical sectors.
- CISA Challenges: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) faces significant challenges due to a partial government shutdown and management reshuffle, resulting in staff shortages and resource constraints that may weaken its ability to counteract cyber threats.
- Financial Sector Vigilance: JPMorgan Chase's CEO noted that banks could be targets for cyberattacks, anticipating an increase in global cyber or terrorist threats, which underscores the financial industry's heightened focus on cybersecurity.
See More
Iran Faces Severe Internet Blackout Amid Conflict
- Current Internet Blackout: Iran is experiencing a near-total internet blackout lasting over 48 hours amid ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel, with connectivity at just 1% of normal levels, severely impacting over 90 million citizens and highlighting the government's strict control over information flow.
- Historical Context: NetBlocks attributes this blackout to a 'regime-imposed' nationwide shutdown, reminiscent of a similar incident in January that lasted weeks and obscured severe human rights violations, indicating the government's tendency to employ such tactics during public protests to maintain control.
- Cyber Attack Threats: U.S. and Israeli cyberattacks have targeted Iranian internet infrastructure, with multiple government-aligned news websites hacked, and even the popular religious calendar app BadeSaba, with over 5 million downloads, compromised, indicating a psychological warfare strategy against the populace.
- Potential Cyber Retaliation: As Iran retaliates with strikes against U.S. and allied targets, analysts warn that Iranian-aligned groups may initiate cyber attacks, with CrowdStrike's head noting observed activities consistent with Iranian threat actors, suggesting that more aggressive cyber operations may be forthcoming.
See More
US Stocks Decline as AI Disrupts Markets
- Market Weakness: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.61%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1.17%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 0.41%, reflecting investor concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, which has put overall market sentiment under pressure.
- Producer Prices Rise: The US January Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 0.5% month-over-month and 2.9% year-over-year, exceeding expectations, indicating rising inflationary pressures that could influence the Fed's interest rate decisions and increase market uncertainty.
- Strong Economic Data: Despite the market downturn, the February Chicago PMI unexpectedly rose to 57.7, signaling signs of economic expansion, which may alleviate some investor concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.
- Airline Stocks Under Pressure: With WTI crude oil prices reaching a 6.5-month high, airline stocks are generally declining, with United Airlines down over 8%, reflecting the potential threat of rising fuel costs on airline profitability.
See More
US Stocks Decline as AI Concerns Weigh on Market Sentiment
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.90%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1.57%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 0.71%, reflecting investor concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, which has intensified selling pressure across the market.
- Producer Prices Rise: The US January Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 0.5% month-over-month and 2.9% year-over-year, surpassing expectations, indicating persistent inflationary pressures that may hinder the Fed's ability to cut interest rates in the near term, negatively impacting stock valuations.
- Geopolitical Risks Intensify: WTI crude oil prices surged over 2% to a 6.5-month high due to disappointing outcomes from US-Iran nuclear talks, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions and adding to investor anxiety in the stock market.
- Mixed Stock Performances: Dell Technologies surged over 10% following a strong sales forecast for its AI servers, while cybersecurity stocks like Zscaler plummeted over 11%, illustrating a divergence in market reactions and reflecting investor caution towards technology stocks.
See More
