Palo Alto Networks Shares Fall 3.7% After $25B CyberArk Deal and Dual Listing Plan
Palo Alto Networks shares slid 3.7% to $159.20 after finalizing its $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk and unveiling plans to dual list on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The stock, trading near its 10-month low of $151.71 and down 18% year-to-date, faces a projected 9.2% post-earnings swing ahead of its Feb. 17 fourth-quarter report.
1. Acquisition and Dual Listing
The company finalized its $25 billion acquisition of peer CyberArk Software and announced plans to dual list its shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, marking its first move onto an international bourse outside the U.S.
2. Pre-Earnings Volatility
Shares have historically moved an average of 7.4% in post-earnings sessions over the past two years, while current options pricing implies a 9.2% swing for the upcoming report due Feb. 17.
3. Recent Stock Performance
Trading near its Feb. 6 10-month low of $151.71, shares have lost 18% year-to-date and are on track for a third consecutive negative daily session if today’s losses hold.
4. Analyst Sentiment and Options Activity
BTIG Research lowered its price target from $248 to $200, even as 38 of 50 brokerages maintain buy or better ratings, and the 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.37 stands in the 98th percentile of annual readings.