Zscaler Stock Rides A 5-Day Winning Streak To A 19% Gain

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Zscaler (ZS) stock has risen for 5 consecutive trading days, gaining 18.9% over that stretch. That added about $6.0 billion to the company’s market value, which now stands at about $37.8 billion. The stock closed at $233.73 on Friday, October 9, 30.5% below its 52-week high of $336.27 and 98.0% above its low of $118.05.

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The Streak Next To The S&P 500

Returns for ZS and the S&P 500 over the streak and the periods around it, all ending Friday, October 9 and including dividends:
 

Return Period ZS S&P 500
1 Day 7.8% 0.6%
5 Days (Current Streak) 18.9% 1.2%
1 Month (21 Trading Days) 43.0% 3.0%
3 Months (63 Trading Days) 64.8% 4.2%
Year To Date 3.9% 15.1%
1 Year (252 Trading Days) -25.5% 17.0%

A Stock-Specific Run, Or A Market Move?

The market explains little of this: the S&P 500 gained 1.2% over the same 5 sessions, including dividends, against Zscaler’s +18.9%. Over the past three months the stock is up 64.8%, a window that includes the streak; over the other 58 sessions of that window it was up 38.6%.

What The Numbers Say About The Rally

On the fundamentals, revenue grew 25.4% over the last twelve months, against a median of 17.9% for S&P 500 Information Technology stocks; and its operating margin is -3.6%, versus a median of 21.6%. Zscaler does not have positive trailing earnings, so there is no meaningful price-to-earnings multiple to compare. The read is mixed: revenue growth above the median on one side, an operating loss on the other.

If you are looking for strength with more behind it than a hot tape, our Guidance Momentum screen surfaces the names where management raised its own outlook.

One Hot Stock Is A Story. Thirty Sound Ones Are A Strategy

A streak like this earns a place on your watchlist, and it also earns a question: how much of your outcome do you want depending on one company keeping this up?

The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio answers it with breadth: roughly 30 businesses picked for consistent cash generation, strong margins, and balance-sheet strength, sized and rebalanced by rules. It has a track record of outpacing a benchmark that combines the S&P 500, the S&P MidCap 400, and the Russell 2000. Follow the story; invest in the strategy.