MJP Associates Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 3,779 shares of the network technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,289,000.
Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PANW. PCM Encore LLC purchased a new position in Palo Alto Networks during the second quarter worth about $1,471,000. Trillium Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Palo Alto Networks in the 2nd quarter worth about $98,006,000. Burr Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Palo Alto Networks in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,644,000. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new stake in Palo Alto Networks in the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,165,000. Finally, OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Palo Alto Networks during the 2nd quarter valued at about $13,913,000. 79.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Palo Alto Networks Stock Down 2.8%
PANW opened at $349.56 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $335.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $240.90. The company has a market cap of $284.89 billion, a PE ratio of 286.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.08 and a beta of 0.91. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. has a 1 year low of $139.57 and a 1 year high of $398.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In related news, EVP Dipak Golechha sold 5,000 shares of Palo Alto Networks stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.56, for a total transaction of $1,447,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 145,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,058,590. The trade was a 3.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director James J. Goetz sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $279.90, for a total transaction of $5,598,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 20,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,598,000. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 37,935 shares of company stock worth $10,809,461. 1.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $190.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Northland Securities upped their price target on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $190.00 to $302.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Argus set a $425.00 price target on shares of Palo Alto Networks in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Scotiabank reiterated a “sector outperform” rating and issued a $320.00 price target (up from $180.00) on shares of Palo Alto Networks in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $415.00 price objective (up from $335.00) on shares of Palo Alto Networks in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Palo Alto Networks presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $362.67.
Read Our Latest Report on Palo Alto Networks
More Palo Alto Networks News
Here are the key news stories impacting Palo Alto Networks this week:
- Positive Sentiment: AI security initiative expands growth opportunities. Palo Alto Networks launched the Frontier AI Critical Defense Program with technology partners to protect critical infrastructure from AI-driven exploits and vulnerabilities. The initiative could strengthen PANW’s position in the emerging AI-security market and support demand from government and enterprise customers. Palo Alto Networks Introduces Frontier AI Critical Defense Program
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst remains bullish. Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target to $425 from $340 and maintained an “overweight” rating, citing potential for continued appreciation. The higher target signals confidence in PANW’s growth prospects despite recent volatility. Palo Alto Networks Price Target Raised by Cantor Fitzgerald
- Positive Sentiment: Enterprise AI adoption may drive sales. Palo Alto Networks is positioning its network, identity, AI and security-operations products to benefit as businesses deploy more artificial intelligence. This could help PANW compete more effectively with CrowdStrike and Zscaler. Can Strong Enterprise AI Adoption Help PANW Challenge CrowdStrike and Zscaler?
- Neutral Sentiment: Recent coverage from TD Cowen and other outlets remains constructive on PANW’s long-term appreciation potential, but provides limited new operating information. TD Cowen Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Palo Alto Networks
- Negative Sentiment: Cybersecurity-sector selling is weighing on PANW. Palo Alto Networks declined even as the broader market improved, while CrowdStrike also sold off sharply. The synchronized weakness suggests investors are reducing exposure to cybersecurity stocks or taking profits, overshadowing bullish analyst commentary. CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks Stock Declines
About Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) is a cybersecurity company founded in 2005 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The firm develops a broad suite of security products and services designed to prevent successful cyberattacks and protect enterprise networks, clouds, and endpoints. Built around a platform strategy, its offerings target threat prevention, detection, response and governance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
The company’s product portfolio includes next‑generation firewalls as a core on‑premises capability, alongside cloud‑delivered security services and software for securing public and private clouds.
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