Fortinet (FTNT) Q3 Earnings Beat Expectations, Sales Miss
Fortinet Inc. FTNT reported mixed third-quarter 2023 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but sales missed the same. However, both the top and bottom lines registered a steady year-over-year improvement.
Fortinet reported third-quarter 2023 non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of 41 cents, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents. The bottom line improved 41.4% from the year-ago quarter’s earnings of 24 cents per share.
Total revenues of $1.33 billion missed the consensus mark by 1% but improved 16.1% year over year, driven by strength in demand from small enterprise customers.
Fortinet, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Fortinet, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Fortinet, Inc. Quote
Quarter in Detail
Segment-wise, Product revenues declined 0.6% year over year to $465.9 million due to a slowdown in Secure Networking growth, along with challenges in sales execution and marketing efficiency.
Services revenues climbed 27.6% to $868.7 million, primarily driven by 34% growth in higher margin security subscriptions, which represents 57% of total services revenues. Services revenues accounted for 65% of total revenues. Our model estimates for Product and Services revenues were pegged at $499.7 million and $843.3 million, respectively.
Billings were up 5.7% to $1.49 billion, primarily driven by strong demand from small enterprises and international markets. Per our model, billings were pegged at $1.59 billion for the reported quarter.
As of Sep 30, 2023, deferred revenues were $5.29 billion, up 26% year over year.
Geographically, the Americas region registered the highest top-line growth with a 16.7% increase, followed by the Asia Pacific (APAC) region’s 16.3% and the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region’s 15.4%. Our model estimated 17.6%, 20.1% and 14.2% top-line growth from the Americas, APAC and EMEA regions, respectively.
During the September-end quarter, the company secured 145 total deals worth $1 million or more each. The company added more than 6,400 new logos, supported by small enterprise customers, which grew bookings by 19%
Margins
The non-GAAP gross margin expanded 70 basis points (bps) year over year to 76.9% in the third quarter of 2023, driven by the increase in Services gross margins and the six-point mix shift from product revenues to services revenues. This reflects a contraction of 310 bps in the Product gross margin, while the Services gross margin expanded 60 bps.
Non-GAAP operating income was $371.4 million for the third quarter of 2023, representing a non-GAAP operating margin of 27.8%.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
Fortinet exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $3.14 billion, down from the $3.29 billion reported at the end of the second quarter of 2023.
During the reported quarter, FTNT generated operating and adjusted free cash flows of $551.2 million and $530.8 million, respectively.
During the three and nine months ended Sep 30, 2023, Fortinet repurchased 10.4 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $58.43 per share and for an aggregate purchase price of $605.2 million.
Guidance
For 2023, Fortinet predicts revenues in the range of $5.27-$5.33 billion. Services revenues are projected in the range of $3.355-$3.375 billion. Billings are expected in the range of $6.095-$6.235 billion.
The non-GAAP gross margin and operating margin are expected in the band of 76-77% and 26.5-27.5%, respectively. Non-GAAP EPS is anticipated between $1.54 and $1.56. It forecasts a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 17% and a diluted share count between 790 million and 800 million.
Fortinet issued impressive guidance for the fourth quarter. The company estimates revenues in the range of $1.38-$1.44 billion. Billings are estimated in the band of $1.56-$1.7 billion.
The non-GAAP gross margin is expected in the range of 75.5-76.5%, while the non-GAAP operating margin is anticipated between 27.5% and 28.5%. Non-GAAP EPS is projected in the band of 42-44 cents. The company assumes a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 17% for the fourth quarter and diluted shares outstanding between 780 million and 790 million.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Currently, Fortinet carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Shares of FTNT have gained 17.8% year to date (YTD).
Some better-ranked stocks from the broader Computer and Technology sector are Palo Alto Networks PANW, NVIDIA Corporation NVDA and Splunk SPLK.
Palo Alto and NVIDIA each sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Splunk carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Palo Alto Networks' first-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings has remained unchanged at $1.28 per share in the past 60 days. For fiscal 2024, earnings estimates have remained unchanged at $5.34 per share in the past 60 days.
Palo Alto Networks’ earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 22.2%. Shares of PANW have surged 79.4% YTD.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVIDIA’s third-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings has been revised a penny northward to $2.10 per share in the past 60 days. For fiscal 2024, earnings estimates have moved 7 cents upward to $10.74 per share in the past 30 days.
NVIDIA’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice in the preceding four quarters while missing on one occasion, the average surprise being 9.8%. Shares of NVDA have rallied 197.7% YTD.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Splunk's third-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings has been revised upward by 4 cents to 46 cents per share in the past 60 days. For fiscal 2024, earnings estimates have moved upward by 2 cents to $3.78 per share in the past 60 days.
Splunk’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 154.9%. Shares of SPLK have gained 70.5% YTD.
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