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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Equifax, Imperva, Leidos Holdings and Varonis Systems
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 12, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Equifax Inc. (NYSE:(EFX - Free Report) – Free Report), Imperva Inc. (NASDAQ: – Free Report), Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:(LDOS - Free Report) – Free Report) and Varonis Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:(VRNS - Free Report) – Free Report).
3 Hot Cybersecurity Stocks in Focus Post-Equifax Data Breach
Cybersecurity stocks were seen soaring last Friday, after Equifax Inc. (NYSE:(EFX - Free Report) – Free Report) reported a massive data breach. Per the company, highly sensitive personal data of approximately 143 million consumers has been stolen from its database. Reportedly, nearly two-third of the adult U.S. population has been affected due to this cyber attack.
The company late last Thursday announced that a data breach occurred between mid-May and July this year, which was discovered on Jul 29. Apart from some sensitive personal information, hackers have stolen credit card numbers of about 209,000 U.S. consumers and “certain dispute documents with personal identifying information” of nearly 182,000 U.S. consumers.
This is not the first instance when consumer data has been stolen from a company’s data base. However, sensitivity of the information exposed in Equifax’s data breach case makes it one of the worst in recent times. The latest data breach at the company will likely have a lasting impact as criminals can use the stolen resources for opening new accounts, applying for credit cards or loans, buying insurance, renting an apartment or even for tax frauds.
Shares of Equifax plunged nearly 14% last Friday after news of the cyber attack surfaced.
Cybersecurity Stocks Soar
The recent cyber attack at Equifax proved that most organizations across the world lack proper security measures.
Nonetheless, believe it or not, there is a positive side to this episode. A cyber attack is good news for cybersecurity companies because it increases the chances of security-related purchases by the companies and governments. Hence, investors flock to these shares, shooting up share prices.
Equifax’s Thursday’s announcement gave a sharp boost to cybersecurity stocks, particularly identity protection security providers.
So far, the year 2017 has witnessed massive cyber attacks, including the two ransomware attacks — WannaCrypt or WannaCry in May and Petya in June — which created global havoc. However, the silver lining to this entire episode will be the further rise in demand for security-related products among enterprises and governments across the world. This is anticipated to drive share prices to new highs in the rest of 2017.
Furthermore, with rapid technological advancement, organizations are increasingly adopting the “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy to enhance employee productivity with anytime/anywhere access. This trend, in turn, calls for stricter data security measures.
We believe the urgency for stricter security measures will compel enterprises, as well as governments to increase spending on cyber security software. According to a Markets and Markets report, worldwide cybersecurity spending will likely reach $101 billion in 2018 and $170 billion by 2020.
Here we pick three stocks that are expected to benefit from this higher spending. Moreover, these have a favorable combination of a solid Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy), with a Growth Score of A or B. Back-tested results show that this combination can handily beat other stocks.
Imperva Inc. (NASDAQ: – Free Report) is engaged in the development of protection software and services for business applications and databases. The stock flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:(LDOS - Free Report) – Free Report), along with its subsidiaries, provides technology and engineering services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil and health markets. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of B.
Varonis Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:(VRNS - Free Report) – Free Report) provides an innovative software platform that allows enterprises to map, analyze, manage and migrate unstructured data. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and a Growth Score of B.
Bottom Line
Considering the above discussed factors, it makes sense to invest in this hot industry group as cybersecurity players are likely to witness sturdy growth in the near term.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Equifax, Imperva, Leidos Holdings and Varonis Systems
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 12, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Equifax Inc. (NYSE:(EFX - Free Report) – Free Report), Imperva Inc. (NASDAQ: – Free Report), Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:(LDOS - Free Report) – Free Report) and Varonis Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:(VRNS - Free Report) – Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
3 Hot Cybersecurity Stocks in Focus Post-Equifax Data Breach
Cybersecurity stocks were seen soaring last Friday, after Equifax Inc. (NYSE:(EFX - Free Report) – Free Report) reported a massive data breach. Per the company, highly sensitive personal data of approximately 143 million consumers has been stolen from its database. Reportedly, nearly two-third of the adult U.S. population has been affected due to this cyber attack.
The company late last Thursday announced that a data breach occurred between mid-May and July this year, which was discovered on Jul 29. Apart from some sensitive personal information, hackers have stolen credit card numbers of about 209,000 U.S. consumers and “certain dispute documents with personal identifying information” of nearly 182,000 U.S. consumers.
This is not the first instance when consumer data has been stolen from a company’s data base. However, sensitivity of the information exposed in Equifax’s data breach case makes it one of the worst in recent times. The latest data breach at the company will likely have a lasting impact as criminals can use the stolen resources for opening new accounts, applying for credit cards or loans, buying insurance, renting an apartment or even for tax frauds.
Shares of Equifax plunged nearly 14% last Friday after news of the cyber attack surfaced.
Cybersecurity Stocks Soar
The recent cyber attack at Equifax proved that most organizations across the world lack proper security measures.
Nonetheless, believe it or not, there is a positive side to this episode. A cyber attack is good news for cybersecurity companies because it increases the chances of security-related purchases by the companies and governments. Hence, investors flock to these shares, shooting up share prices.
Equifax’s Thursday’s announcement gave a sharp boost to cybersecurity stocks, particularly identity protection security providers.
Computer and Technology Sector 5YR % Return
Fresh Boost for Security Stocks
So far, the year 2017 has witnessed massive cyber attacks, including the two ransomware attacks — WannaCrypt or WannaCry in May and Petya in June — which created global havoc. However, the silver lining to this entire episode will be the further rise in demand for security-related products among enterprises and governments across the world. This is anticipated to drive share prices to new highs in the rest of 2017.
Furthermore, with rapid technological advancement, organizations are increasingly adopting the “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy to enhance employee productivity with anytime/anywhere access. This trend, in turn, calls for stricter data security measures.
We believe the urgency for stricter security measures will compel enterprises, as well as governments to increase spending on cyber security software. According to a Markets and Markets report, worldwide cybersecurity spending will likely reach $101 billion in 2018 and $170 billion by 2020.
Here we pick three stocks that are expected to benefit from this higher spending. Moreover, these have a favorable combination of a solid Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy), with a Growth Score of A or B. Back-tested results show that this combination can handily beat other stocks.
Imperva Inc. (NASDAQ: – Free Report) is engaged in the development of protection software and services for business applications and databases. The stock flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:(LDOS - Free Report) – Free Report), along with its subsidiaries, provides technology and engineering services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil and health markets. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of B.
Varonis Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:(VRNS - Free Report) – Free Report) provides an innovative software platform that allows enterprises to map, analyze, manage and migrate unstructured data. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and a Growth Score of B.
Bottom Line
Considering the above discussed factors, it makes sense to invest in this hot industry group as cybersecurity players are likely to witness sturdy growth in the near term.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Click here for the 6 trades >>
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.