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F5 Networks (FFIV)
NASDAQ:FFIV

F5 Networks (FFIV) AI Stock Analysis

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FFIV

F5 Networks

(NASDAQ:FFIV)

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Outperform 74 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
$278.00
▲(2.75% Upside)
F5 Networks' strong financial performance and strategic leadership changes are significant positives. However, technical indicators suggest bearish momentum, and cautious guidance due to a recent security incident introduces some risk. The stock's valuation is reasonable, but the lack of a dividend yield may deter income-focused investors.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth and increased earnings per share highlight F5 Networks' strong market position and effective business strategies, ensuring long-term financial health.
Cash Flow Generation
Robust cash flow generation supports operational flexibility and strategic investments, underpinning F5 Networks' ability to sustain growth and innovation.
Strategic Partnerships
The partnership with NetApp enhances F5's capabilities in AI and cryptography, positioning the company to meet future technological demands and secure competitive advantages.
Negative Factors
Security Incident Impact
The security breach poses risks to customer trust and sales cycles, potentially impacting revenue growth and necessitating increased investment in security measures.
Software Revenue Challenges
Declining software revenue suggests challenges in transitioning to new offerings, which may affect long-term revenue stability and require strategic adjustments.
Guidance Concerns
Cautious revenue growth guidance reflects potential demand impacts from the security incident, indicating uncertainty in achieving growth targets.

F5 Networks (FFIV) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

F5 Networks Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionF5, Inc. provides multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions for the security, performance, and availability of network applications, servers, and storage systems. The company's multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions enable its customers to develop, deploy, operate, secure, and govern applications in any architecture, from on-premises to the public cloud. It offers application security and delivery products, including BIG-IP appliances and VIPRION chassis and related software modules and software-only Virtual Editions; Local Traffic Manager and DNS Services; Advanced Firewall Manager and Policy Enforcement Manager that leverage the unique performance characteristics of its hardware and software architecture; Application Security Manager and Access Policy Manager; NGINX Plus and NGINX Controller; Shape Defense and Enterprise Defense; Secure Web Gateway, and Silverline DDoS and Application security offerings; and online fraud and abuse prevention solutions. The company also provides a range of professional services, including consulting, training, installation, maintenance, and other technical support services. F5, Inc. sells its products to large enterprise businesses, public sector institutions, governments, and service providers through distributors, value-added resellers, managed service providers, and systems integrators in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region. It has partnerships with public cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. The company was formerly known as F5 Networks, Inc. and changed its name to F5, Inc. in November 2021. F5, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
How the Company Makes MoneyF5 Networks generates revenue primarily through the sale of its software and hardware products, licensing fees, and subscription services. The company operates a hybrid revenue model that includes both on-premises solutions and cloud-based services, allowing it to cater to a diverse range of customer needs. Key revenue streams include software licensing for its application delivery and security solutions, subscription fees for cloud services, and professional services for implementation and support. Additionally, F5 has formed strategic partnerships with major cloud providers and technology firms, enhancing its market presence and driving revenue growth through integrated solutions and co-marketing initiatives.

F5 Networks Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Gross Profit by Segment
Gross Profit by Segment
Shows the profitability of each business unit, indicating which segments are most efficient and contribute most to the bottom line.
Chart InsightsF5 Networks is experiencing a notable resurgence in its Products segment, with gross profit rebounding sharply in 2024 and continuing into 2025. This recovery may indicate successful strategic adjustments or new product launches. Meanwhile, the Services segment maintains consistent growth, suggesting a stable demand for F5's service offerings. The lack of earnings call data leaves the underlying drivers speculative, but the upward trend in Products could signal a positive shift in market positioning or competitive advantage.
Data provided by:The Fly

F5 Networks Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 27, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong financial performance and growth in key areas such as data centers and AI-driven initiatives. However, concerns over potential short-term disruptions from a recent security incident and cautious revenue growth guidance for FY '26 balanced the positive aspects.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue and Operating Profit
For the first time, F5 exceeded $3 billion in revenue and $1 billion in operating profit in fiscal year 2025.
Strong Financial Metrics
Revenue grew 10% while earnings per share increased by 18%. Gross margins improved to 83.6%, and operating margin rose to 35.2%.
Data Center and AI-Driven Growth
Systems revenue increased 42% year-over-year, driven by data center modernization and AI use cases.
Record Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow reached $906 million, up 19% compared to FY '24.
Global Services and Regional Growth
Global services revenue grew 2% year-over-year, with APAC leading regional revenue growth at 19%.
Negative Updates
Security Incident Impact
Potential near-term disruptions to sales cycles due to a security breach, with expected normalization in the second half of FY '26.
Software Revenue Challenges
Subscription-based software declined 3% year-over-year, reflecting a transition to new offerings and customer preferences for hardware solutions.
Guidance Concerns
FY '26 revenue growth guidance is limited to 0% to 4% due to potential demand impacts from the security incident.
Federal Sector Uncertainty
Potential disruption in U.S. federal sector revenue due to government shutdowns impacting project approvals.
Company Guidance
During the F5 Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results Conference Call, the company reported exceptional results, surpassing $3 billion in revenue and achieving a record $1 billion in operating profit for the first time. Revenue grew by 10%, with earnings per share increasing by 18%. F5 maintained robust profitability, delivering gross margins of 83.6% and operating margins of 35.2%, reflecting a 160 basis point increase over FY '24. The company generated record free cash flow of $906 million, a 19% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. F5's growth was driven by factors such as data center reinvestment, hybrid cloud adoption, and enterprise AI infrastructure demand, alongside the maturation of its software model. The company also highlighted the impact of a recent security incident, emphasizing their swift response and ongoing efforts to enhance security measures. Looking ahead, F5 guided for FY '26 revenue growth in the range of 0% to 4%, anticipating some near-term disruption due to the security incident.

F5 Networks Financial Statement Overview

Summary
F5 Networks demonstrates strong financial health with consistent revenue growth, high profitability margins, and a stable balance sheet with low leverage. The company's efficient cash flow generation supports its operational and strategic initiatives, positioning it well for continued growth.
Income Statement
F5 Networks has demonstrated consistent revenue growth with a 2.1% increase in the latest year. The company maintains strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 81.7% and a net profit margin of 22.4%. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also robust at 25.5% and 28.5%, respectively, indicating efficient operational management. The steady growth and high margins reflect a healthy income statement.
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet shows a solid equity base with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, indicating low leverage and financial stability. Return on equity is strong, reflecting effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is healthy, suggesting a well-capitalized structure. Overall, the balance sheet indicates a stable financial position with low risk.
Cash Flow
Operating cash flow is strong, with a high free cash flow to net income ratio of 95.4%, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings. Although there was a slight decline in free cash flow growth, the overall cash flow position remains robust, supporting ongoing operations and potential investments.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.09B3.09B2.82B2.81B2.70B2.60B
Gross Profit2.52B2.52B2.26B2.22B2.16B2.11B
EBITDA879.26M900.74M774.24M650.66M527.31M509.45M
Net Income692.38M692.38M566.78M394.95M322.16M331.24M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.32B6.32B5.61B5.25B5.28B5.00B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.34B1.34B1.07B803.32M884.57M910.61M
Total Debt230.75M230.75M249.56M280.99M664.67M715.28M
Total Liabilities2.73B2.73B2.48B2.45B2.81B2.64B
Stockholders Equity3.59B3.59B3.13B2.80B2.47B2.36B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow906.41M906.41M762.01M599.23M409.01M614.54M
Operating Cash Flow949.67M949.67M792.42M653.41M442.63M645.20M
Investing Cash Flow-219.49M-219.49M-59.21M36.39M218.12M-445.33M
Financing Cash Flow-464.81M-464.81M-457.00M-653.30M-476.51M-468.28M

F5 Networks Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price270.56
Price Trends
50DMA
250.34
Positive
100DMA
284.03
Negative
200DMA
285.28
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
4.14
Negative
RSI
62.46
Neutral
STOCH
74.26
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FFIV, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 270.56 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 262.65, above the 50-day MA of 250.34, and below the 200-day MA of 285.28, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 4.14 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 62.46 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 74.26 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for FFIV.

F5 Networks Risk Analysis

F5 Networks disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. F5 Networks reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

F5 Networks Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$15.64B22.9220.60%9.66%23.87%
73
Outperform
$131.75B119.8015.33%15.30%-60.71%
71
Outperform
$58.91B32.39228.04%14.78%22.52%
66
Neutral
$118.64B-369.63-8.88%22.05%-341.24%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
61
Neutral
$64.02B-626.73-8.88%28.06%-7.44%
60
Neutral
$34.56B-825.57-2.41%23.24%-8.83%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FFIV
F5 Networks
270.56
12.45
4.82%
FTNT
Fortinet
78.66
-13.83
-14.95%
PANW
Palo Alto Networks
188.88
18.30
10.73%
ZS
Zscaler
216.63
31.94
17.29%
CRWD
CrowdStrike Holdings
466.99
118.95
34.18%
NET
Cloudflare
186.39
74.39
66.42%

F5 Networks Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial Disclosures
F5 Networks CEO to Also Chair Board
Positive
Oct 27, 2025

On October 24, 2025, F5’s Board of Directors announced that François Locoh-Donou, the current CEO and President, will also become the Chair of the Board following the company’s Annual Meeting in March 2026, succeeding Alan J. Higginson. This transition is part of a broader strategy to ensure independent oversight and continuity in leadership. Additionally, F5 reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, with an 8% increase in quarterly revenue and a 10% annual growth, driven by significant product revenue growth and transformative industry trends. The company is also focusing on enhancing security measures following a recent security incident, emphasizing customer support and innovation in protecting critical infrastructure.

The most recent analyst rating on (FFIV) stock is a Sell with a $260.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on F5 Networks stock, see the FFIV Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 09, 2025