Post-earnings recap
Reported
Tue, May 5, 2026
EPS actual
$1.95
EPS est.
$1.32
EPS surprise
+47.39%
1-day move
-0.38%
Qualys reported better-than-expected earnings per share, beating the consensus by a significant margin. However, the stock reacted negatively, declining by 0.38%. The lack of revenue information and guidance may have contributed to investor uncertainty.
| Metric | Actual | Expected | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPS | $1.95 | $1.80 | +47.39% |
| Revenue | — | $174M | — |
No transcript is on record, and the analysis is based on numerical results only.
Qualys, Inc. is a technology company that provides cloud-based security and compliance solutions. As cyber threats continue to rise, Qualys plays a crucial role in helping organizations protect their digital assets and maintain compliance with regulations. The company operates in the Information Technology sector, specifically in systems software.
Last quarter
In Q4 2025, Qualys reported an impressive EPS of $1.87, significantly surpassing estimates. However, the stock experienced a slight decline the following day, indicating mixed investor sentiment despite strong earnings.
EPS beat streak
8Q
EPS beat rate
100%
Avg EPS surprise
+62.91%
Avg 1-day reaction
-0.77%
Analysts expect Qualys to continue its strong performance with an EPS of $1.80 and revenue of $174 million. The company's consistent earnings beats in previous quarters have set a high bar for expectations.
Bull case
If Qualys exceeds expectations again, it could reinforce investor confidence and lead to a positive stock reaction, especially given the strong demand for cybersecurity solutions.
Bear case
Conversely, if Qualys fails to meet the consensus estimates, it may raise concerns about growth in a competitive market, potentially leading to a negative stock reaction.
Key metrics to watch
EPS
$1.80Earnings per share is a key indicator of profitability and will show how well the company is managing its costs and generating profits.
Revenue
$174MRevenue growth is vital for understanding the company's market demand and overall business health.
The print will turn on these.
Q1
Will Qualys report an EPS above $1.80?
Exceeding this EPS target would signal strong operational performance and could lead to positive market sentiment.
Q2
What is the revenue growth rate compared to last year?
Understanding revenue growth will help gauge the company's ability to capture market demand and maintain competitive positioning.
—
Est. EPS
$0.01
Est. Rev
$918M
Impl. Move
±9.1%
Why consensus could be wrong
The Street may be underestimating the impact of increasing cybersecurity threats, which could lead to higher demand for Qualys' services than currently anticipated.
Supporting evidence
Qualys has consistently beaten EPS estimates, indicating stronger operational performance than expected.
The options market is pricing a larger move than historical averages, suggesting heightened investor expectations.
Recent trends in cybersecurity spending indicate a robust market environment that could benefit Qualys.
Key risk
If revenue growth significantly outpaces expectations, it could challenge the current consensus view.
Pre-commit to what would confirm each case.
This quarter's performance is critical as it will reflect the company's ability to sustain growth in a competitive cybersecurity market.
Bull confirmed if
An EPS of $1.85 or higher would confirm the bull case, indicating strong profitability.
Bear confirmed if
An EPS below $1.77 would confirm the bear case, raising concerns about growth.
What the market is pricing for the move.
Implied Move
±9.71%
Historical Avg
±2.5%
The options market is pricing in a significant move, indicating that investors are anticipating volatility around the earnings announcement.
Options are pricing ±9.8% while QLYS has averaged ±2.5% over the last 8 prints — setup is pricing rich.
ATM IV
0.8%
30d HV
62.4%
Smart-money positioning from the most recent 13F filings.
Institutional
110.07%
of float
Insider
0.45%
of float
Holders
605
institutions
Top Holders· as of Jun 2026
Blackrock Inc.
5,762,721 sh · $1.1B
16.66%
7.5%
Likely market behavior by outcome. Not investment advice.
Beat & raise
If Qualys beats expectations, history suggests the stock could rise around 2.64% on the following day, confirming strong demand for its services.
In line / cautious
If results are in line with expectations, the stock may react cautiously, reflecting uncertainty about future growth.
Miss
A miss could lead to a decline, with history suggesting an average drop of around 1.15% following such outcomes.
The lines on the call that would change the story.
Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC
2,695,941 sh · $525.0M
7.79%
6.3%
Vanguard Capital Management LLC
1,590,332 sh · $309.7M
4.60%
0.4%
State Street Corporation
1,456,158 sh · $283.6M
4.21%
4.9%
Legal & General Group PLC
1,437,373 sh · $279.9M
4.15%
39.6%
13F filings updated quarterly. Position deltas show change in shares vs. the prior quarter.