Qualys (NASDAQ:QLYS) Shares Gap Down – What’s Next?

Qualys, Inc. (NASDAQ:QLYS)’s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday. The stock had previously closed at $202.46, but opened at $182.50. Qualys shares last traded at $180.85, with a volume of 244,591 shares trading hands.

More Qualys News

Here are the key news stories impacting Qualys this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Qualys reported Q3 revenue of $188.05 million, up 10.7% year over year, and earnings of $2.12 per share, topping analyst estimates. The company also raised its FY2026 outlook: EPS guidance is $8.07–$8.14 versus a $7.44 consensus, while revenue guidance is $736.9–$738.9 million versus $735.5 million expected. Qualys Announces Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Wedbush, Piper Sandler, and Robert W. Baird raised their price targets, but each maintained a neutral rating—suggesting improved valuation views without a stronger endorsement. Wedbush rating information
• Neutral Sentiment: Qualys announced an expanded mROC alliance spanning mobile, operational technology, and identity security, and said management will meet investors at an upcoming UBS technology conference. These developments may support longer-term engagement but offer limited immediate financial impact. Qualys expands global mROC alliance
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 revenue guidance of $191–$193 million is only slightly above the $190.9 million consensus, with expected year-over-year growth of 9%–10%. The restrained revenue outlook appears to be outweighing the earnings beat and higher full-year forecast in the market’s reaction. Qualys earnings beat; stock falls on revenue outlook

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on QLYS shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Qualys from $150.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Northland Securities set a $208.00 price target on shares of Qualys in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley set a $200.00 price target on shares of Qualys in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Qualys from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on Qualys from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Qualys has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $191.67.

Qualys Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $191.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.88 and a beta of 0.54.

Qualys (NASDAQ:QLYS) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 9th. The software maker reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $188.05 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $186.63 million. Qualys had a return on equity of 37.52% and a net margin of 29.38%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.86 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Qualys, Inc. will post 5.84 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Joo Mi Kim sold 2,659 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.66, for a total value of $557,485.94. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 68,208 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,300,489.28. This trade represents a 3.75% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Sumedh S. Thakar sold 3,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.05, for a total transaction of $544,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 180,338 shares in the company, valued at $30,666,476.90. The trade was a 1.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 11,672 shares of company stock valued at $2,192,747 over the last 90 days. 0.72% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Qualys

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Qualys in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Continuum Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Qualys during the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in Qualys during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Allworth Financial LP bought a new stake in Qualys during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in Qualys by 40.5% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 472 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. 99.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Qualys Company Profile

Qualys, Inc provides cloud-based security and compliance software to help organizations identify and manage cybersecurity risks. Its platform brings together information about an organization’s IT assets and security posture to support vulnerability management, threat detection, and compliance activities.

Qualys offers products and services for vulnerability assessment and remediation, cloud security, endpoint protection, web application security, and policy compliance. Its solutions are designed to help customers monitor systems across cloud environments, on-premises infrastructure, and other connected assets.

Founded in 1999, Qualys is headquartered in Foster City, California, and serves customers around the world.