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Gen Digital (GEN)
NASDAQ:GEN

Gen Digital (GEN) AI Stock Analysis

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GEN

Gen Digital

(NASDAQ:GEN)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$26.00
▲(18.34% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/07/26
The score is driven primarily by solid financial performance (strong margins and cash flow) and a constructive earnings update with raised guidance and robust bookings/FCF. These positives are tempered by elevated leverage and a technically weak price trend (below major moving averages), with valuation appearing mid-range rather than clearly cheap.
Positive Factors
Cash generation and margin profile
Consistent, sizable FCF and strong operating margins mean earnings convert reliably to cash. This durable cash engine funds dividends, buybacks, debt paydown and strategic AI/product investments without relying on equity raises, preserving long-term optionality.
Large recurring subscriber base
A 78M+ paid user base and subscription model create predictable recurring revenue and cross-sell scale. High membership penetration and cross-sell levers support steady renewal economics, limiting revenue volatility and enabling margin leverage over time.
Management discipline and guidance
Management's raised guidance and explicit leverage target demonstrate disciplined capital allocation. Clear liquidity and a roadmap to reduce net leverage bolster financial flexibility and credibility in executing buybacks, dividends and strategic investments long-term.
Negative Factors
High leverage and refinancing risk
Material indebtedness limits financial flexibility and raises refinancing and interest-rate risk. Elevated leverage can force tighter cash allocation in downturns, increasing vulnerability to higher rates and constraining strategic investment or M&A optionality over months to years.
Slowing core cyber safety revenue growth
Core product revenue deceleration signals structural headwinds in the legacy portfolio or intensified competition. Persistent slow growth in the main segment could impede overall top-line expansion and make future margin gains dependent on new product monetization and upsell success.
Monetization uncertainty for AI/agent protection
Investments in AI/agent protection are strategically important but lack clear pricing and timing. Uncertain monetization makes return-on-investment unpredictable and could lead to prolonged margin pressure if heavy R&D and go‑to‑market spend precede committed revenue.

Gen Digital (GEN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Gen Digital Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionGen Digital Inc. provides cyber safety solutions for consumers in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It offers Norton 360, an integrated platform provides extensive cyber safety coverage and a subscription service providing protection for PCs, Macs, and mobile devices against malware, viruses, adware, ransomware, and other online threats on various platforms; and Norton and LifeLock identity theft protection solution that offers monitoring, alerts, and restoration services to its customers. The company also provides Norton Secure VPN solution, which enhances security and online privacy by providing an encrypted data tunnel; Privacy Monitor Assistant, an on-demand, white glove service where agents help members delete personal information from data brokers online; Home Title Protect product that detects fraud and notifies members; and Avira Security, a consumer-focused portfolio of cybersecurity and privacy solutions. It offers Dark Web Monitoring product, which looks for personal information of its Norton 360 members on the Dark Web; and Social Media Monitoring solution that helps to keep customers' social media accounts safer by monitoring them for account takeovers, risky activity, and inappropriate content. The company also provides AntiTrack product, which helps to keep personal information and browsing activity private by blocking trackers and disguising digital fingerprints online; and Online Reputation Management solution that manages online search results, personal branding, and digital privacy. It markets and sells its products and related services through retailers, telecom service providers, hardware original equipment manufacturers, and employee benefit providers, as well as e-commerce platform. The company was formerly known as NortonLifeLock Inc. and changed its name to Gen Digital Inc. in November 2022. Gen Digital Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Tempe, Arizona.
How the Company Makes MoneyGen Digital generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily by selling subscription-based services for its cybersecurity products. These include annual or monthly subscriptions for antivirus software, VPN services, and identity protection plans. The company also earns money through the sale of one-time software licenses and additional features or upgrades within its products. Significant partnerships with technology platforms and integrations with other software solutions further enhance its market reach and customer base, contributing to recurring revenue. Additionally, Gen Digital may engage in affiliate marketing and partnerships that provide referral commissions for new customer acquisitions.

Gen Digital Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Bookings
Bookings
Chart Insights
Data provided by:The Fly

Gen Digital Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 05, 2026
(Q3-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 07, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presents a predominantly positive picture: robust top‑line growth (bookings +27% YoY, revenue +26% YoY), strong cash generation ($535M FCF), raised guidance, meaningful customer growth (78M+) and product/AI innovation (agent trust hub, Norton NEO). Notable challenges include a rapidly worsening threat environment (fake shop attacks +60% YoY, fake ads >40% of threats), modest core cyber safety revenue growth (3% YoY), ongoing investment needs that temper some margins, and outstanding refinancing and monetization uncertainties for AI agent protection. Overall, the positive operational and financial momentum outweighs the challenges, but management is balancing growth with continued investment and risk mitigation.
Q3-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong bookings and revenue growth
Q3 bookings of $1.3B, up 27% year‑over‑year (10% pro forma); Q3 revenue of $1.2B, up 26% year‑over‑year (8% pro forma).
Paid customer base growth
Paid customers exceeded 78 million, up ~1 million sequentially; paid customer expansion across cyber safety, MoneyLion, and Engine channels.
EPS and profitability momentum
Non‑GAAP diluted EPS of $0.64 in Q3, up 14% year‑over‑year; operating income $629M representing a 51% operating margin; ninth consecutive quarter meeting/exceeding 12–15% EPS growth target.
Robust cash generation and capital returns
Generated $541M operating cash flow and $535M free cash flow in Q3; deployed nearly $700M to shareholders including $300M buybacks (11M shares repurchased), $300M debt repayment, and $77M regular dividend.
Improving leverage and liquidity
Ending cash balance $619M and total liquidity over $2.1B (including $1.5B revolver); net leverage reduced to 3.1x EBITDA and company targeting <3x by FY2027.
Raised full‑year guidance
Fiscal 2026 revenue guidance raised to $4.955B–$4.975B (from $4.92B–$4.97B); non‑GAAP EPS guidance raised to $2.54–$2.56; Q4 revenue guide $1.24B–$1.26B and EPS $0.64–$0.66.
Strong MoneyLion and marketplace performance
MoneyLion revenue grew nearly 40% in Q3 with record Instacash originations, strong RoarMoney deposits and card activity; Engine now processes >360M inquiries annually and saw record inquiries this quarter.
Product and AI innovation wins
Launched Norton NEO safe AI browser and Threat Labs' beta agent trust hub (agent safety marketplace); early adoption noted and integration of AI lifecycle agents and shared LLM frameworks across products.
Cyber safety and identity traction
Cyber safety bookings grew 5% YoY and revenue grew 3% YoY; higher‑tier Norton 360 with LifeLock offerings showing double‑digit growth; Norton membership conversion nearing 45% and Norton cross‑sell penetration >26%; LifeLock monitors nearly 50 million financial accounts (double‑digit growth).
Negative Updates
Escalating scam activity and evolving threat landscape
Gen blocked >45 million fake online shop attacks last quarter (up >60% YoY); fake ads now represent >40% of consumer cyber threats—AI has accelerated attack speed and scale, creating material security headwinds.
Slower revenue growth in core cyber safety
Cyber safety revenue grew only 3% YoY despite bookings +5%, indicating more modest near‑term revenue expansion in the core segment versus company aggregate growth.
Ongoing investments compressing some margins
Trust‑based solutions operating margin at 30% while company makes targeted investments in MoneyLion and AI initiatives; continued investment may weigh on near‑term segment profitability.
Debt and refinancing considerations
Interest expense of $131M in Q3; net leverage remains 3.1x (above target) and company is exploring refinancing for Term Loan A maturing September 2028—refinancing execution risk exists.
Monetization ambiguity around AI/agent protections
Management highlighted a clear customer need for agent protection but has not provided ASP/monetization specifics yet; timing and revenue impact of new AI protection products remain uncertain.
Macro and retention caveats
Management noted consumer sentiment at multiyear lows and emphasized guidance assumes current FX and disciplined cost management; retention improvements are mixed by cohort and MoneyLion subscription retention metrics are still developing.
Company Guidance
Gen raised fiscal 2026 guidance, now expecting full‑year revenue of $4.955–$4.975 billion (up from $4.92–$4.97B) and non‑GAAP EPS of $2.54–$2.56 (maintaining a 12–15% annual EPS growth target); Q4 guidance implies revenue of $1.24–$1.26 billion and EPS of $0.64–$0.66. Management said the outlook assumes high single‑digit pro‑forma growth, current FX through Q3, and disciplined cost management while funding Gen platform and AI investments; they reiterated a goal to drive net leverage below 3.0x by FY2027 (exited Q3 at 3.1x), highlighted strong liquidity (> $2.1B, including $619M cash and a $1.5B revolver) and robust FCF ($535M in Q3) to support continued dividends (Q4 regular dividend $0.125/share payable 03/11/2026), opportunistic buybacks, and debt paydown.

Gen Digital Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong cash generation (TTM FCF ~$1.52B, +16.7% TTM) and healthy operating profitability (gross margin ~79%, EBITDA margin ~46%) support the score. Offsetting factors are balance-sheet leverage (debt ~$8.4B vs. equity ~$2.3B; debt-to-equity ~3.5x) and a step-down in net margin (TTM ~12.7% vs. ~16.3% in FY2025).
Income Statement
74
Positive
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue growth is solid (up 5.7%) and profitability remains healthy with strong gross margins (~79%) and robust EBITDA margins (~46%). However, net margin has stepped down versus prior annual periods (TTM ~12.7% vs. ~16.3% in FY2025), and net income is below FY2025 despite higher revenue—suggesting higher costs, interest, or other below-the-line pressure.
Balance Sheet
46
Neutral
Leverage remains the key weakness: debt is high at ~$8.4B versus equity of ~$2.3B, translating to elevated debt-to-equity (~3.5x in TTM). The equity base has improved materially from negative levels in FY2021–FY2022, and returns on equity are still strong (~24.7% TTM), but the capital structure is still debt-heavy, leaving less flexibility if earnings soften or financing costs rise.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash generation is a clear strength: TTM operating cash flow (~$1.54B) and free cash flow (~$1.52B) are both strong, with free cash flow growth up ~16.7% TTM. Free cash flow closely tracks net income (about ~98% of net income), indicating earnings are translating well into cash, though operating cash flow relative to revenue is moderate (~0.52) and has been volatile across annual periods.
BreakdownTTMMar 2025Mar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.73B3.94B3.80B3.32B2.80B2.55B
Gross Profit3.67B3.16B3.07B2.73B2.39B2.19B
EBITDA2.18B2.03B1.60B1.51B1.33B1.19B
Net Income603.00M643.00M607.00M1.33B836.00M554.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets15.83B15.49B15.79B15.95B6.94B6.36B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments619.00M1.01B846.00M750.00M1.89B951.00M
Total Debt8.41B8.31B8.65B9.82B3.83B3.69B
Total Liabilities13.50B13.23B13.65B13.75B7.04B6.86B
Stockholders Equity2.33B2.27B2.14B2.20B-93.00M-500.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.52B1.21B2.04B751.00M968.00M700.00M
Operating Cash Flow1.54B1.22B2.06B757.00M974.00M706.00M
Investing Cash Flow-905.00M-100.00M2.00M-6.55B326.00M-69.00M
Financing Cash Flow-930.00M-970.00M-1.96B4.68B-333.00M-1.90B

Gen Digital Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price21.97
Price Trends
50DMA
25.22
Negative
100DMA
25.86
Negative
200DMA
27.51
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.85
Positive
RSI
38.87
Neutral
STOCH
17.65
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GEN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 21.97 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 23.26, below the 50-day MA of 25.22, and below the 200-day MA of 27.51, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.85 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 38.87 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 17.65 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GEN.

Gen Digital Risk Analysis

Gen Digital disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Gen Digital 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

Gen Digital Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
72
Outperform
$55.94B31.88135.72%14.78%22.52%
64
Neutral
$13.31B22.6726.90%1.82%15.97%-6.65%
62
Neutral
$23.82B-593.37-2.41%23.24%-8.83%
62
Neutral
$88.30B-287.57-8.88%22.05%-341.24%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
57
Neutral
$57.30B-583.36-8.16%28.06%-7.44%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GEN
Gen Digital
22.29
-4.70
-17.41%
FTNT
Fortinet
77.35
-31.67
-29.05%
ZS
Zscaler
155.70
-40.12
-20.49%
CRWD
CrowdStrike Holdings
363.31
-31.25
-7.92%
NET
Cloudflare
171.80
26.88
18.55%

Gen Digital Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Gen Digital Appoints Bryan Ko as COO
Neutral
Nov 7, 2025

On November 3, 2025, Gen Digital Inc. appointed Bryan Ko as the Chief Operating Officer, while he continues his role as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. The Board also approved a new Executive Severance and Retention Plan, providing enhanced severance, change-in-control, and retirement benefits for certain executives, potentially impacting executive retention and company stability.

The most recent analyst rating on (GEN) stock is a Hold with a $29.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Gen Digital stock, see the GEN 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: Feb 07, 2026