Recent disclosures with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveal significant shifts in institutional investment around Qualys, Inc. (QLYS), a leading provider of cloud-based IT, security, and compliance solutions.
Pacer Advisors Inc., for instance, dramatically reduced its stake in Qualys during the first quarter, divesting a substantial portion of its holdings. This move saw their ownership decrease by an notable 86.5%, leaving them with a mere 849 shares of the software maker’s stock, valued at $107,000 according to their latest SEC filing.
Conversely, other prominent institutional investors have been actively adjusting their positions, demonstrating varied market perspectives on Qualys stock. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC initiated a new substantial holding in the fourth quarter, while Penserra Capital Management LLC significantly bolstered its stake in Qualys by over 53% in the first quarter, now commanding 499,084 shares valued at $62.8 million. GAMMA Investing LLC also exhibited aggressive accumulation, increasing its ownership by an astounding 43,505% during the first quarter, holding 122,530 shares worth $15.4 million. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. and Raymond James Financial Inc. further contributed to the institutional activity with notable purchases.
This collective activity underscores that nearly all of Qualys’s stock, precisely 99.31%, is held by institutional investors, reflecting strong professional interest and positioning in the company’s future.
From a market performance standpoint, Qualys shares opened at $130.53 on a recent Friday. The company has experienced a 1-year low of $112.61 and a 1-year high of $170.00, indicating a range of volatility within the past year. With a substantial market capitalization of $4.74 billion and a PE ratio of 26.69, the software firm maintains a beta of 0.56, suggesting lower volatility compared to the broader market. Its 50-day moving average stands at $140.01, while the 200-day moving average is $134.58.
In addition to institutional trading, recent insider transactions have also shaped the market narrative for QLYS stock. A company insider sold 541 shares in late July for over $75,000, reducing their total ownership to 60,643 shares. Similarly, a director offloaded 200 shares earlier that month, valued at nearly $28,000. These transactions represent minor percentage decreases in their respective holdings, with total insider sales reaching over $6.5 million in the last three months, though insiders still collectively own 0.88% of the stock.
Equity research analysts have offered a mixed but predominantly cautious outlook on Qualys. Morgan Stanley recently lowered its price target to $90.00 with an “underweight” rating, while Scotiabank maintained a “sector perform” rating with a $142.00 target. Canaccord Genuity Group and Wedbush, however, retained “buy” and “outperform” ratings respectively, albeit with reduced price targets. JPMorgan Chase & Co. also issued an “underweight” rating. Collectively, the company currently holds a consensus “Hold” rating from MarketBeat.com data, with an average price target of $137.50, reflecting a diversified analytical perspective.
Qualys, Inc. provides a comprehensive cloud-based platform that offers critical IT, security, and compliance solutions globally. Its extensive suite of Qualys Cloud Apps includes Cybersecurity Asset Management, Vulnerability Management, Web Application Scanning, Patch Management, and advanced Endpoint Detection and Response systems. Furthermore, Qualys is a key player in cloud security with offerings such as Cloud Workload Protection, Cloud Security Posture Management, and Container Security, addressing the evolving needs of digital infrastructure protection.
The dynamic interplay of institutional activity, insider trades, and analyst evaluations continues to shape the investment landscape for Qualys, reflecting ongoing adjustments to its market valuation and strategic positioning within the cybersecurity and compliance sector.
