Jefferies cuts Fortinet stock price target to $100 from $105

Published 08/05/2025, 11:24
Jefferies cuts Fortinet stock price target to $100 from $105

On Thursday, Jefferies analyst Joseph Gallo revised the price target for Fortinet stock, trading on (NASDAQ:FTNT), to $100 from the previous target of $105, while retaining a Hold rating on the shares. According to InvestingPro data, Fortinet has demonstrated impressive performance with a nearly 79% return over the past year and maintains a GREAT financial health score, suggesting strong fundamentals despite the target reduction. The adjustment follows Fortinet’s recent financial performance which indicated modestly better-than-expected billings, with a 13.5% increase compared to the consensus estimate of 11.4%. Despite this, the results fell short of the higher expectations held by investors. The company maintains impressive gross profit margins of 80.6% and has shown consistent revenue growth, with a 12.3% increase in the last twelve months.

Fortinet’s product revenue growth year-over-year was reported at 12%, surpassing the consensus estimates. However, the company’s service revenue growth showed a 14% year-over-year increase, which did not meet the anticipated 16% and exhibited an unexpected decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis. This has led to questions regarding the sustainability of Fortinet’s growth following its refresh cycle.

The company’s billing guidance for 2025 has been maintained, despite the first-quarter performance exceeding expectations. The decision to uphold the billing guidance is attributed to the significant customer uncertainty that persists, especially among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Following the announcement, Fortinet’s shares in after-hours trading were valued at 29 times the enterprise value to the estimated free cash flow for 2026. This valuation aligns with the average multiple of 29 times for large-cap peers in the industry. The hold rating suggests that the analyst advises investors to maintain their current position in the stock, without buying more or selling off their holdings. InvestingPro analysis reveals that Fortinet is currently trading near its Fair Value, with additional insights available in the comprehensive Pro Research Report, which provides detailed analysis of the company’s valuation metrics and growth potential among 1,400+ top US stocks.

In other recent news, Fortinet reported its first-quarter earnings for 2025, surpassing analysts’ expectations with an earnings per share of $0.58, compared to a forecast of $0.53. The company’s revenue met predictions, reaching $1.54 billion, reflecting a 14% increase year-over-year. Despite these positive financial results, Fortinet’s stock experienced a significant drop of nearly 12% in aftermarket trading. The company announced new AI capabilities and product launches, further enhancing its market position. Evercore ISI maintained its In Line rating for Fortinet, setting a price target of $105, following a mixed earnings report. The firm noted a dip in services revenue but highlighted stronger product sales as a positive aspect. Fortinet’s management expressed confidence in a stronger second half of the year, driven by hardware upgrades and demand for next-generation products. Additionally, Fortinet is undergoing a transition in its sales leadership, with a new team taking a more conservative approach, introducing some uncertainty in forecasts.

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