VeriSign (VRSN)
Market Price (11/23/2025): $251.47 | Market Cap: $23.5 BilSector: Information Technology | Industry: Internet Services & Infrastructure
VeriSign (VRSN)
Market Price (11/23/2025): $251.47Market Cap: $23.5 BilSector: Information TechnologyIndustry: Internet Services & Infrastructure
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
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 68% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -26%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -38% | |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 64%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 62% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 26% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Cybersecurity, and 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Network Security, and Telecom Infrastructure. |
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 68% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 64%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 62% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 26% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Cybersecurity, and 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Network Security, and Telecom Infrastructure. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -26%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -38% |
Market Valuation & Key Metrics
VRSN Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Here are the key points explaining the approximate -5.9% stock movement for VeriSign (VRSN) from July 31, 2025, to November 23, 2025:
1. Q3 2025 Earnings Report Reaction
Despite VeriSign reporting strong third-quarter 2025 results on October 23, 2025, which exceeded analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings per share, and also raising its full-year guidance, the stock experienced a slight decline of 0.54% in after-hours trading immediately following the announcement. This suggests that the positive news might have already been priced into the stock, or other market factors overshadowed the favorable financial performance.
2. Analyst Sentiment Shifts and Overvaluation Concerns
Around late October and November 2025, there was a noticeable cooling in analyst sentiment towards VeriSign. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage with a "neutral" rating on October 28th, and Zacks Research upgraded the stock to a "hold" rating on October 30th. While the consensus rating remained a "Moderate Buy," a higher proportion of "hold" ratings indicated increased caution. Additionally, the stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 33.3x in late September 2025 raised concerns about overvaluation, as it was significantly higher than the average P/E ratios of many other U.S. companies.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| VRSN Return | 12% | 17% | -19% | 0% | 0% | 23% | 32% |
| Peers Return | 147% | 9% | -40% | 57% | 10% | 14% | 215% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 12% | 104% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| VRSN Win Rate | 58% | 58% | 33% | 50% | 50% | 70% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 68% | 50% | 32% | 62% | 53% | 54% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| VRSN Max Drawdown | -22% | -13% | -38% | -7% | -18% | -1% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -24% | -24% | -49% | -9% | -28% | -25% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: NET, AKAM, FSLY, VRSN, GDDY. See VRSN 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 11/21/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | VRSN | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -38.8% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 63.5% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1044 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -30.3% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 43.5% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 53 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -19.5% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 24.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 579 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -59.6% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 147.8% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1245 days | 1480 days |
Compare to NET, AKAM, FSLY, VRSN, GDDY
In The Past
VeriSign's stock fell -38.8% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 12/29/2021. A -38.8% loss requires a 63.5% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
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Asset Allocation
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Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to VRSN. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | ZBRA | Zebra Technologies | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -10.5% | -10.5% | -15.2% |
| 10312025 | ACN | Accenture | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.7% | 0.7% | -4.0% |
| 10312025 | ADBE | Adobe | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -4.7% | -4.7% | -8.2% |
| 10312025 | TXN | Texas Instruments | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -1.3% | -1.3% | -5.0% |
| 10242025 | MRVL | Marvell Technology | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -7.9% | -7.9% | -8.9% |
| 04302024 | VRSN | VeriSign | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 5.5% | 66.5% | -0.7% |
| 11302022 | VRSN | VeriSign | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 11.8% | 6.2% | -4.3% |
| 04302022 | VRSN | VeriSign | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 13.8% | 24.1% | -12.4% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | ZBRA | Zebra Technologies | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -10.5% | -10.5% | -15.2% |
| 10312025 | ACN | Accenture | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.7% | 0.7% | -4.0% |
| 10312025 | ADBE | Adobe | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -4.7% | -4.7% | -8.2% |
| 10312025 | TXN | Texas Instruments | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -1.3% | -1.3% | -5.0% |
| 10242025 | MRVL | Marvell Technology | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -7.9% | -7.9% | -8.9% |
| 04302024 | VRSN | VeriSign | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 5.5% | 66.5% | -0.7% |
| 11302022 | VRSN | VeriSign | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 11.8% | 6.2% | -4.3% |
| 04302022 | VRSN | VeriSign | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 13.8% | 24.1% | -12.4% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for VeriSign
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 127.06 |
| Mkt Cap | 17.6 |
| Rev LTM | 2,013 |
| Op Inc LTM | 637 |
| FCF LTM | 718 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 740 |
| CFO LTM | 1,033 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 925 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 7.9% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 5.9% |
| Rev Chg Q | 8.3% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 2.0% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 15.4% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 16.8% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.3% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 31.2% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 26.8% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 17.4% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 18.7% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 17.6 |
| P/S | 3.7 |
| P/EBIT | 16.6 |
| P/E | 21.8 |
| P/CFO | 20.9 |
| Total Yield | 3.8% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 4.1% |
| D/E | 0.2 |
| Net D/E | 0.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 0.6% |
| 3M Rtn | -5.0% |
| 6M Rtn | 17.4% |
| 12M Rtn | 38.3% |
| 3Y Rtn | 27.2% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 2.7% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -7.4% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 3.6% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | 30.7% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -38.4% |
Comparison Analyses
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 10/23/2025 | -1.4% | -6.0% | 0.6% |
| 7/24/2025 | 6.7% | -6.2% | -5.7% |
| 4/24/2025 | 8.0% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2/6/2025 | 0.5% | 4.2% | 8.6% |
| 10/24/2024 | -2.1% | -4.5% | -2.3% |
| 7/25/2024 | 4.2% | 6.6% | 1.5% |
| 4/25/2024 | -3.9% | -7.8% | -6.3% |
| 2/8/2024 | -1.3% | -1.6% | -4.1% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 11 | 8 | 12 |
| # Negative | 13 | 16 | 12 |
| Median Positive | 3.6% | 5.4% | 4.2% |
| Median Negative | -2.1% | -3.3% | -6.3% |
| Max Positive | 9.5% | 10.7% | 16.0% |
| Max Negative | -14.3% | -15.7% | -18.5% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10232025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7242025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 4242025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2132025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10242024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 7252024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 4252024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2152024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 10262023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 7272023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 4272023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2172023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 10272022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 7282022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4282022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2182022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
Insider Activity
Expand for More| Owner | Title | Filing Date | Action | Price | Shares | TransactedValue | Value ofHeld Shares | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | BIDZOS D JAMES | Exec. Chairman, Pres, & CEO | 10232025 | Sell | 266.32 | 1,789 | 476,440 | 124,010,245 | Form |
External Quote Links
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| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |