Tearsheet

Qualys (QLYS)


Market Price (11/13/2025): $150.09 | Market Cap: $5.4 Bil
Sector: Information Technology | Industry: Systems Software

Qualys (QLYS)


Market Price (11/13/2025): $150.09
Market Cap: $5.4 Bil
Sector: Information Technology
Industry: Systems Software

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 33%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -67%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -44%
 
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 43%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 42%
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest Days-to-CoverDTC = (Short Interest Share Quantity) / (Average Daily Trading Volume). Reflects how many days it would take to cover (close out) the short interest based on average volumes. High DTC can signify an increased risk of a short squeeze. is 10.76
 
2 Attractive yield
FCF Yield is 5.0%
  
3 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 35%
  
4 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing. Themes include Software Security, Cloud Security, Show more.
  
0 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 33%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 43%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 42%
2 Attractive yield
FCF Yield is 5.0%
3 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 35%
4 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing. Themes include Software Security, Cloud Security, Show more.
5 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -67%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -44%
6 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest Days-to-CoverDTC = (Short Interest Share Quantity) / (Average Daily Trading Volume). Reflects how many days it would take to cover (close out) the short interest based on average volumes. High DTC can signify an increased risk of a short squeeze. is 10.76

Market Valuation & Key Metrics

QLYS Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Here are five key points explaining Qualys' (QLYS) stock movement of 12.8% from July 31, 2025, to November 13, 2025:

1. Strong Q3 2025 Earnings Beat and Raised Guidance: On November 4, 2025, Qualys announced its third-quarter 2025 financial results, significantly exceeding Wall Street's expectations. The company reported revenues of $169.9 million, an increase of 10.4% year-over-year, surpassing analyst estimates of $166.3 million. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $1.86, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56. Following these strong results, Qualys also raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance, signaling confidence in its continued performance.

2. Solid Q2 2025 Financial Performance: Earlier in the period, on August 5, 2025, Qualys reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, showing a 10% year-over-year revenue increase to $164.1 million. The company also raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to a range of $656 million to $662 million. These positive results at the outset of the period likely established a strong baseline for investor confidence.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
QLYS Return46%13%-18%75%-29%7%80%
Peers Return27%-1%-43%16%54%-4%22%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
QLYS Win Rate58%67%25%83%33%30% 
Peers Win Rate25%57%22%55%53%52% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
QLYS Max Drawdown-18%-25%-20%-9%-39%-18% 
Peers Max Drawdown-13%-12%-49%-23%-39%-28% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: GWRE, INFA, TENB, ARQQ, ATGL. See QLYS Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/12/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventQLYSS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-36.9%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven58.4%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven406 days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-29.2%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven41.3%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven49 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-30.1%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven43.0%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven475 days120 days

Compare to GWRE, INFA, TENB, ARQQ, ATGL


In The Past

Qualys's stock fell -36.9% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 1/27/2021. A -36.9% loss requires a 58.4% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

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Asset Allocation

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About Qualys (QLYS)

Better Bets than Qualys (QLYS)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to QLYS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
ZBRA_10312025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10312025ZBRAZebra TechnologiesDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-5.0%-5.0%-5.2%
ACN_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ACNAccentureDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
-1.4%-1.4%-3.5%
ADBE_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ADBEAdobeDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
-1.0%-1.0%-3.9%
TXN_10312025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper10312025TXNTexas InstrumentsMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.0%1.0%-1.3%
MRVL_10242025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper10242025MRVLMarvell TechnologyMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
6.2%6.2%0.0%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
ZBRA_10312025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10312025ZBRAZebra TechnologiesDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-5.0%-5.0%-5.2%
ACN_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ACNAccentureDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
-1.4%-1.4%-3.5%
ADBE_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ADBEAdobeDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
-1.0%-1.0%-3.9%
TXN_10312025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper10312025TXNTexas InstrumentsMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.0%1.0%-1.3%
MRVL_10242025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper10242025MRVLMarvell TechnologyMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
6.2%6.2%0.0%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Qualys

Financials

QLYSGWREINFATENBARQQATGLMedian
NameQualys Guidewir.Informat.Tenable Arqit Qu.Alpha Te. 
Mkt Price150.05220.9724.8527.5130.3214.6028.91
Mkt Cap5.418.67.63.3--6.5
Rev LTM6531,2021,679975--1,089
Op Inc LTM21341164-5--102
FCF LTM271280466248--276
FCF 3Y Avg243160348181--212
CFO LTM281301474265--291
CFO 3Y Avg255178355194--225

Growth & Margins

QLYSGWREINFATENBARQQATGLMedian
NameQualys Guidewir.Informat.Tenable Arqit Qu.Alpha Te. 
Rev Chg LTM10.1%22.6%1.3%11.1%--10.6%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg11.7%14.1%3.6%14.6%--12.9%
Rev Chg Q10.4%22.3%3.9%11.2%--10.8%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM2.5%5.7%1.0%2.7%--2.6%
Op Mgn LTM32.5%3.4%9.8%-0.5%--6.6%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg30.3%-6.2%7.2%-3.3%--1.9%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM1.5%1.5%0.4%1.0%--1.2%
CFO/Rev LTM43.1%25.0%28.3%27.2%--27.7%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg43.0%16.4%21.6%21.9%--21.8%
FCF/Rev LTM41.6%23.3%27.8%25.4%--26.6%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg40.9%14.6%21.2%20.4%--20.8%

Valuation

QLYSGWREINFATENBARQQATGLMedian
NameQualys Guidewir.Informat.Tenable Arqit Qu.Alpha Te. 
Mkt Cap5.418.67.63.3--6.5
P/S8.315.54.53.4--6.4
P/EBIT25.4297.837.2315.5--167.5
P/E28.6267.1728.8-98.9--147.8
P/CFO19.262.016.012.5--17.6
Total Yield3.5%0.4%0.1%-1.0%--0.3%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%--0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg4.9%1.1%4.8%4.3%--4.6%
D/E0.00.00.20.1--0.1
Net D/E-0.1-0.00.00.0---0.0

Returns

QLYSGWREINFATENBARQQATGLMedian
NameQualys Guidewir.Informat.Tenable Arqit Qu.Alpha Te. 
1M Rtn17.3%-9.0%-0.2%-6.2%-48.0%-27.4%-7.6%
3M Rtn13.5%5.7%0.5%-10.3%-12.3%-19.6%-4.9%
6M Rtn10.6%2.9%28.2%-16.6%93.1%-40.6%6.8%
12M Rtn-2.9%13.0%3.1%-34.3%265.7%56.5%8.0%
3Y Rtn18.6%262.7%30.7%-30.8%-85.8%-18.6%
1M Excs Rtn14.4%-11.1%-3.3%-9.0%-51.0%-30.9%-10.0%
3M Excs Rtn10.3%-0.1%-5.4%-11.4%-12.5%-26.6%-8.4%
6M Excs Rtn-5.6%-13.4%11.9%-32.9%76.9%-56.9%-9.5%
12M Excs Rtn-16.8%-0.9%-14.9%-48.5%255.9%38.3%-7.9%
3Y Excs Rtn-44.2%227.5%-44.2%-99.5%-165.2%--44.2%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Single Segment554490411363322
Total554490411363322


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date10312025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity3,115,054
Short Interest: % Change Since 10152025-3.3%
Average Daily Volume289,441
Days-to-Cover Short Interest10.76
Basic Shares Quantity36,037,000
Short % of Basic Shares8.6%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More

 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/4/202520.6%  
8/5/2025-0.2%-0.9%2.8%
5/6/20250.6%7.8%10.2%
2/6/2025-3.7%0.3%-11.0%
11/5/202424.2%20.5%22.3%
8/6/2024-8.6%-8.8%-9.8%
5/7/2024-9.8%-9.8%-18.6%
2/7/2024-4.2%-3.7%-4.8%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive101110
# Negative141314
Median Positive8.6%6.7%12.4%
Median Negative-5.9%-8.0%-8.9%
Max Positive24.2%20.8%22.9%
Max Negative-16.0%-18.8%-21.6%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251104202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025805202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025506202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024221202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241105202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024806202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024507202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023222202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231102202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023803202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023504202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022223202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221102202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022808202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022504202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021222202210-K 12/31/2021

Insider Activity

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 OwnerTitleFiling DateActionPriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
0POSEY BRUCE KCHIEF LEGAL OFFICER10212025Sell127.0144055,8837,223,495Form