Pre-earnings brief
Reports
Tue, Nov 3, 2026
Est. EPS
—
Est. revenue
—
Implied move
±13.4%
EPS beat rate
100%
—
Est. EPS
$-0.50
Est. Rev
$257M
Impl. Move
±7.5%
Qualys, Inc. is a leading provider of cloud-based security and compliance solutions. Operating in the Information Technology sector, Qualys helps organizations manage their security posture and protect against cyber threats, which is increasingly important in today's digital landscape.
Last quarter
In Q2 2026, Qualys reported an EPS of $1.98, significantly beating estimates by 55.54%. The stock reacted positively, gaining 3.98% the following day.
Management promises and guidance
EPS beat streak
8Q
EPS beat rate
100%
Avg EPS surprise
+62.91%
Avg 1-day reaction
-0.77%
Overall, expectations are high for Qualys as it has consistently beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters. Investors will be looking for continued strong performance and any signs of revenue growth.
Bull case
If Qualys continues its trend of beating EPS estimates, it could signal robust demand for its services and lead to a strong stock performance.
Bear case
Conversely, if the company fails to meet expectations or provides weak guidance, it could lead to a significant drop in stock price.
Key metrics to watch
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Expected to be around $1.98.EPS is a key indicator of the company's profitability and growth potential, which investors closely monitor.
Revenue Growth
Not available.Revenue growth reflects the company's ability to expand its customer base and increase sales, crucial for long-term success.
The print will turn on these.
Q1
What will the EPS be for Q3-2026, and how does it compare to previous quarters?
Given the company's strong history of EPS beats, this number will be crucial for investor confidence and stock performance.
Q2
What is the current customer retention rate and any insights on revenue growth?
Understanding customer retention and revenue trends will help gauge the company's future growth potential and market position.
Why consensus could be wrong
The Street may be underestimating the impact of new product features and customer acquisition strategies that could drive higher-than-expected revenue growth.
Supporting evidence
Qualys has consistently beaten EPS estimates, indicating stronger performance than anticipated.
The options market is pricing in a significant move, suggesting that traders expect volatility that could reflect positive surprises.
Recent customer feedback indicates high satisfaction, which could lead to improved retention rates.
Key risk
If customer retention rates exceed 90%, it could significantly boost confidence in future revenue growth.
Pre-commit to what would confirm each case.
This quarter's results will be closely watched as they could indicate whether Qualys can maintain its growth trajectory in a competitive landscape.
Bull confirmed if
An EPS of $2.00 or higher would confirm strong demand and effective cost management.
Bear confirmed if
An EPS below $1.80 would raise concerns about growth and profitability.
What the market is pricing for the move.
Implied Move
±13.45%
Historical Avg
±2.5%
The options market is pricing in a larger-than-average move, suggesting that traders expect significant volatility around the earnings report.
Options are pricing ±13.4% while QLYS has averaged ±2.5% over the last 8 prints — setup is pricing rich.
ATM IV
0.6%
30d HV
67.7%
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 a potential stock increase of around 3% or more, confirming strong demand.
In line / cautious
If results are in line with expectations, the stock may react moderately, reflecting cautious optimism.
Miss
If the company misses expectations, the stock could drop by around 1% or more, indicating potential concerns about future growth.
The lines on the call that would change the story.
Customer Retention Rate
Not available.A high retention rate indicates customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of Qualys' solutions, which can drive future revenue.
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.