Goldman Sachs Boosts Cloudflare Ratings, Downgrades Check Point

Goldman Sachs Adjusts Ratings on Key Security Stocks

Recently, analysts at Goldman Sachs made significant adjustments to their ratings on crucial US security stocks. Notably, they have double-upgraded Cloudflare (NYSE: NET) to a Buy from a previous Sell rating, showcasing their confidence in the company’s future performance. In contrast, Check Point Software (NASDAQ: CHKP) faced a downgrade, falling to a Neutral rating from Buy.

Factors Behind Cloudflare’s Upgrade

The decision to elevate Cloudflare's rating stems from the company's improving sales and marketing productivity. Analysts at Goldman Sachs anticipate that these enhancements will bolster Cloudflare's fundamentals as they look toward 2025.

Positive Outlook and Future Catalysts

The analysts noted two critical catalysts driving Cloudflare’s future growth. First, they expect a revival in sales and marketing effectiveness after a transformative period, which is aimed at solidifying enterprise platform sales. Secondly, they foresee increased traction with the company's Act III products, particularly geared toward developer services.

Positioning in the AI Market

Goldman Sachs highlights Cloudflare's unique edge network architecture, which is positioned advantageously for handling AI inferencing workloads—a market segment that has been expanding rapidly. In light of this positive assessment, Goldman raised its price target for Cloudflare shares to $140 from $77, indicating an impressive 28% upside potential for investors.

Market Reaction and Check Point’s Challenges

The market has responded favorably to the news, with Cloudflare shares experiencing a more than 5% jump during premarket trading. Conversely, Check Point Software's downgrade reflects some underlying concerns about its earnings growth prospects for 2025, despite ongoing investments in new technologies and products.

Assessing Check Point’s Future Growth

Goldman Sachs recognized that 2025 might necessitate incremental investment for Check Point. The company's new CEO is currently focused on prioritizing growth initiatives and ramping up the production of its new SASE offerings. While there is potential for long-term upside, the current expectation is that earnings per share (EPS) growth may experience some pressure, which could hinder stock performance in the short term.

Future Prospects and Price Target

Goldman Sachs set a new price target for Check Point at $207, which suggests an approximate 11% upside. The analysts believe there could be a more positive outlook for Check Point heading into 2026 if the company can convert its incremental investments into measurable revenue growth, aiming for revenue growth of over 10% and EPS growth exceeding 20%.

The Broader Market Trend in Security Stocks

This shift in ratings from Goldman Sachs reflects a broader perspective regarding the security stock market. The firm points out that companies viewed as platform-centric, like Cloudflare, have shown resilience and outperformance in 2024, whereas point-product vendors have faced significant challenges.

CIO Focus on Platform Strategies

This trend appears poised to continue, as CIOs and decision-makers increasingly prioritize platform consolidation to effectively manage costs in a high-interest rate environment. As the market matures, understanding these shifts will be crucial for investors to navigate their portfolios in the security sector effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Goldman Sachs' new rating for Cloudflare?

Goldman Sachs has upgraded Cloudflare to a Buy from a Sell rating.

What led to the downgrade of Check Point Software?

The downgrade reflects concerns about Check Point's earnings growth prospects for 2025.

What are the expected catalysts for Cloudflare in the coming years?

Analysts expect improved sales and marketing productivity and growth in Act III products to drive Cloudflare's success.

How much has Goldman Sachs raised the price target for Cloudflare?

Goldman Sachs increased Cloudflare's price target to $140 from $77.

What challenges is Check Point facing despite its new investments?

Check Point faces potential EPS growth pressures that may impact its immediate stock performance.

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