Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) - Stock Analysis
Last updated: Jan 14, 2026
Research Idea
Research content for general circulation. Not individualized advice. Methodology & Disclosures
Qualys delivers raised 2025 revenue guidance with strong AI-powered platform adoption, improving EBITDA margins, and an 8% price gain over three weeks with positive technical momentum, establishing it as a hot cybersecurity idea driven by AI innovation and growth.
Loading chart data...
AI Analyst Overview
Loading chart data...
Valuation Metrics
Fundamental Analysis
Key Financial Insights: ⢠High margins ⢠Strong FCF ⢠Large deferred rev QLYS delivers robust unit economicsâ84% gross margin, 40% EBITDA margin, and strong free cash flow (~$89.5M, ~53% margin) with low leverage but a large $387.8M deferred revenue liability and a pronounced drop in trailing ROE (~9.5% vs FY2024's 40%) while trading at premium multiples (P/E ~23, P/S ~6.7, EV/EBITDA ~16.6).
Price Behavior
Key Price Behavior Insights: ⢠Short-term decline ⢠Support holding ⢠Potential rebound Support Level: $130â$133 Resistance Level: ~$152 QLYS slipped last month from a midâDecember peak near $152 to about $133, finding support around $130â$133 and signaling shortâterm weakening unless it rebounds from that floor.
Sentiment & News
Key News Insights: ⢠AI/cyber leadership ⢠Insider sales ~$1.8M ⢠Flat lateâ2025 price Qualys is widely viewed as a high-growth cybersecurity and AI infrastructure play, drawing broad investor interest despite roughly flat lateâ2025 shares and insider sales totaling about $1.8M.
AI Summary
Qualys' strategic shift from a VMDR visibility play to higherâvalue ETM/ROC outcomes â supported by strong FCF and margins â makes the stock a conditional upside story: convert the VMDR base and 28+ POCs into material ETM deals that boost ACV and net dollar retention within 2â4 quarters to justify a multiple reârating, otherwise lumpy billings, deferredârevenue conversion risk and competition will likely stall growth and compress valuation.
Description
Qualys, Inc. is a provider of cloud-based IT security and compliance solutions used by enterprises, governments and small-to-medium businesses worldwide. Its Qualys Cloud Platform bundles vulnerability and threat detection, endpoint and cloud security, asset and certificate inventories, compliance and remediation workflows, and analytics to help customers discover, prioritize and address security issues. The company sells through direct sales and channel partners and is headquartered in Foster City, California, with operations since 1999.
Idea History
| Date | Close | Ticker | Company | Summary | Status | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15 | Dec 22 | QLYS | Qualys, Inc. | Qualys delivers raised 2025 revenue guidance with strong AI-powered platform adoption, improving EBITDA margins, and an 8% price gain over three weeks with positive technical momentum, establishing it as a hot cybersecurity idea driven by AI innovation and growth. | Closed | -2.7% |