Wedbush Elevates CrowdStrike (CRWD) and Palo Alto Networks as Premier Cybersecurity Investments

Key Highlights

• Wedbush launched cybersecurity sector coverage, assigning outperform ratings to CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Rubrik, and Datadog
• CrowdStrike earned designation as a top technology pick for the next 12-18 months, with analysts setting a $250 price objective driven by AI platform capabilities
• Palo Alto Networks secured placement on Wedbush’s Best Ideas List with a $400 price objective, supported by 34% annual revenue expansion
• Four companies faced downgrades—Check Point, Fortinet, Varonis, and Telos—with Fortinet and Varonis receiving elevated price targets despite neutral ratings
• Analysts emphasized that cybersecurity spending is consolidating around preferred platforms rather than experiencing broad-based expansion

Wedbush Securities launched its cybersecurity sector analysis on September 11, assigning outperform ratings to select companies while reducing recommendations on others. Analysts view artificial intelligence as the transformative catalyst reshaping corporate cybersecurity investment priorities.

The investment firm highlighted five fundamental trends driving cybersecurity budget reallocation: AI-powered defense mechanisms throughout technology infrastructure, supplier consolidation, data protection priorities, system observability, and evolving vulnerability management approaches. Analysts emphasized that organizations are concentrating their security budgets rather than expanding overall spending.

CrowdStrike Earns Premier Technology Stock Designation

Analysts assigned CrowdStrike an outperform rating alongside a $250 price objective, accounting for the company’s recent 4-for-1 stock division. Wedbush designated it among their strongest conviction positions within cybersecurity and a premier technology selection for the upcoming 12 to 18 months.

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., CRWD

Analysts highlighted CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform and its leadership in AI-enhanced endpoint security. The firm also referenced the company’s developments in agentic security capabilities and security operations center automation as significant growth opportunities.

CrowdStrike delivered 25% year-over-year ARR expansion, with net new ARR climbing 51% annually in its latest financial period. The organization also issued preliminary fiscal 2028 net new ARR growth guidance of minimum 20%, exceeding analyst projections.

Palo Alto Networks earned inclusion on Wedbush’s Best Ideas List with a $400 price objective. Analysts characterized it as the most definitive platformization success story in cybersecurity. Revenue expanded 34% year-over-year in fiscal 2026, while platformized agreements surged 78% annually to reach 2,500.

Rubrik received a $120 price objective and recognition as the leading cyber resilience investment among publicly traded companies. The firm demonstrated 38% year-over-year revenue growth and maintained 119% net retention.

Datadog earned an outperform rating with a $275 price objective. Analysts called it the most advantageously positioned dedicated provider for cloud-native observability. Revenue accelerated 36% year-over-year, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of growth acceleration.

Multiple Companies Face Rating Reductions

Check Point received a downgrade to neutral accompanied by a reduced price objective of $135, declining from $160. While Wedbush recognized the company’s transformation efforts under current leadership, analysts cited decelerating growth prospects entering fiscal 2027.

Fortinet similarly received a neutral rating, although its price objective increased to $155 from $125. Analysts noted the stock’s approximately 100% year-to-date appreciation has already incorporated an optimistic scenario.

Varonis faced a downgrade to neutral despite receiving an elevated price objective of $46. Wedbush recognizes the company’s favorable positioning for agentic AI applications and data security but observed that growth rates continue trailing industry peers.

Telos received the most severe assessment, downgraded to underperform with a $5 price objective. Analysts expressed concerns regarding inconsistency in federal contract performance and nascent adoption of the company’s Xacta.ai platform.

CrowdStrike shares advanced approximately 0.5% during early September 11 trading, while Check Point and Fortinet each experienced modest declines.