Palo Alto Networks Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 19 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 4 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Revenue grew 16% to $2.5 billion: Total revenue was $2,474 million, up from $2,139 million a year earlier, with 16% year-over-year growth. Source
- Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $0.93: Non-GAAP net income was $662 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared with $545 million, or $0.78, a year earlier. Source
- Full-year revenue and margin guidance raised: Full-year revenue guidance rose to $10.50 billion to $10.54 billion, and non-GAAP operating margin guidance to 29.5% to 30.0%. Source
- Platformization wins cited by CEO: Arora cited significant platformization wins and called the company the data and security partner of choice in the AI era. Source
- Non-GAAP operating margin reached 30.2%: Non-GAAP operating income was $746 million against $616 million, and non-GAAP operating margin rose from 28.8% to 30.2%. Source
- Next-Generation Security ARR grew 29%: Next-Generation Security ARR was $5.9 billion, up 29% year over year. Source
- Remaining performance obligation grew 24%: Remaining performance obligation was $15.5 billion, up 24% year over year. Source
- Chronosphere acquisition intent announced: The company announced its intent to acquire Chronosphere, described as a next-generation observability platform for the data center era. Source
“Our strong start to the fiscal year was marked by excellent results across all metrics, and significant platformization wins,”
Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next-Generation Security ARR Source | fiscal second quarter 2026 | $6.11 billion to $6.14 billion | New |
| Remaining performance obligation Source | fiscal second quarter 2026 | $15.75 billion to $15.85 billion | New |
| Total revenue Source | fiscal second quarter 2026 | $2.57 billion to $2.59 billion | New |
| Diluted non-GAAP net income per share Source | fiscal second quarter 2026 | $0.93 to $0.95, using 711 million to 715 million shares | New |
| Next-Generation Security ARR Source | fiscal year 2026 | $7.00 billion to $7.10 billion | Kept |
| Remaining performance obligation Source | fiscal year 2026 | $18.6 billion to $18.7 billion | Kept |
| Total revenue Source | fiscal year 2026 | $10.50 billion to $10.54 billion | Raised from $10.475 billion to $10.525 billion |
| Non-GAAP operating margin Source | fiscal year 2026 | 29.5% to 30.0% | Raised from 29.2% to 29.7% |
| Diluted non-GAAP net income per share Source | fiscal year 2026 | $3.80 to $3.90 | Raised from $3.75 to $3.85 |
| Diluted shares outstanding Source | fiscal year 2026 | 710 million to 716 million shares | Kept |
| Adjusted free cash flow margin Source | fiscal year 2026 | 38% to 39% | Kept |
What changed from last quarter
- Guidance raised: Full-year total revenue guidance raised to $10.50 billion to $10.54 billion from $10.475 billion to $10.525 billion. Source
- Guidance raised: Full-year non-GAAP operating margin guidance raised to 29.5% to 30.0% from 29.2% to 29.7%. Source
- Guidance raised: Full-year diluted non-GAAP EPS guidance raised to $3.80 to $3.90 from $3.75 to $3.85. Source
- Guidance kept: Full-year Next-Generation Security ARR and remaining performance obligation guidance kept at the prior ranges. Source
- Guidance kept: Full-year adjusted free cash flow margin guidance kept at 38% to 39%. Source
- New guidance: Second-quarter guidance given for Next-Generation Security ARR, remaining performance obligation, total revenue and diluted non-GAAP EPS. Source
- New: Company announced its intent to acquire Chronosphere, a next-generation observability platform. Source
- New: Mark Goodburn appointed to the company's board of directors. Source
- Ended: Mary Pat McCarthy's board service ends with her retirement, effective January 23, 2026. Source
Results and growth drivers
- Revenue grew 16% to $2.5 billion: Total revenue was $2,474 million, up from $2,139 million a year earlier, with 16% year-over-year growth. Source
- Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $0.93: Non-GAAP net income was $662 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared with $545 million, or $0.78, a year earlier. Source
- GAAP net income fell to $334 million: GAAP net income was $334 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, against $351 million, or $0.49, a year earlier. Source
- Full-year revenue and margin guidance raised: Full-year revenue guidance rose to $10.50 billion to $10.54 billion, and non-GAAP operating margin guidance to 29.5% to 30.0%. Source
Revenue lines and mix
- Subscription and support was the larger line: Subscription and support revenue was $2,040 million, up from $1,785 million, and made up most of total revenue of $2,474 million. Source
- Product revenue rose to $434 million: Product revenue rose to $434 million from $354 million a year earlier. Source
- Two reported revenue lines only: The release reports revenue as product and subscription and support, with no regional or segment split. Source
“We continued to execute with excellence to start the year as shown by our strong top-line growth and operating efficiency,”
Dipak Golechha, chief financial officer of Palo Alto Networks
Products and customers
- Platformization wins cited by CEO: Arora cited significant platformization wins and called the company the data and security partner of choice in the AI era. Source
- Customer base above 70,000 organizations: The company says it is trusted by more than 70,000 organizations worldwide across network, cloud and security operations. Source
- Unit 42 threat intelligence cited: The company credits its AI-powered security solutions in part to the expertise and threat intelligence of Unit 42. Source
Operating costs
- Total operating expenses rose to $1,527 million: Total operating expenses were $1,527 million, up from $1,299 million a year earlier. Source
- G&A rose to $179 million: General and administrative expense was $179 million, up from $98 million a year earlier. Source
- Share-based compensation charges rose: Share-based compensation-related charges were $387 million, up from $315 million, the largest item in the non-GAAP reconciliation. Source
- Sales and marketing and R&D increased: Sales and marketing expense was $820 million, up from $720 million, and research and development was $528 million, up from $481 million. Source
“This sustained profitable growth was reflected by another quarter of 30% plus operating margin and reinforces our confidence in achieving 40% plus adjusted free cash flow margin in FY’28.”
Dipak Golechha, chief financial officer of Palo Alto Networks
Margins and profitability
- Non-GAAP operating margin reached 30.2%: Non-GAAP operating income was $746 million against $616 million, and non-GAAP operating margin rose from 28.8% to 30.2%. Source
- GAAP operating income was $309 million: GAAP operating income was $309 million against $286 million, and other income, net was $103 million against $83 million. Source
- Tax provision rose to $78 million: Provision for income taxes was $78 million, compared with $17 million a year earlier, on income before taxes of $412 million. Source
Demand and order book
- Next-Generation Security ARR grew 29%: Next-Generation Security ARR was $5.9 billion, up 29% year over year. Source
- Remaining performance obligation grew 24%: Remaining performance obligation was $15.5 billion, up 24% year over year. Source
- Deferred revenue balances declined: Current deferred revenue was $6,132 million and long-term deferred revenue $6,098 million, against $6,302 million and $6,450 million at July 31, 2025. Source
- Accounts receivable fell to $1,343 million: Accounts receivable, net was $1,343 million at October 31, 2025, against $2,965 million at July 31, 2025. Source
Capital, cash and balance sheet
- Cash and cash equivalents rose to $3,066 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $3,066 million against $2,269 million; short-term investments were $1,144 million and long-term investments $5,982 million. Source
- Total liabilities declined, equity rose: Total liabilities were $14,871 million against $15,752 million, and total stockholders’ equity rose to $8,665 million from $7,824 million. Source
- Retained earnings rose to $2,818 million: Retained earnings rose to $2,818 million from $2,484 million, and common stock and paid-in capital to $5,780 million from $5,292 million. Source
Acquisitions and platform strategy
- Chronosphere acquisition intent announced: The company announced its intent to acquire Chronosphere, described as a next-generation observability platform for the data center era. Source
- CyberArk and Chronosphere acquisitions referenced: The release refers to the strategic acquisitions of CyberArk and Chronosphere and gives no closing date for either. Source
- Platformization named as focus: The company describes platformization as its focus, letting enterprises streamline security at scale. Source
Coming up, as management said on 19 November 2025
- McCarthy retirement effective January 23, 2026: Director Mary Pat McCarthy's retirement from the board takes effect January 23, 2026. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Remaining performance obligation (backlog) Source | $15.5 billion |
| Product revenue Source | $434 million |
| Subscription and support revenue Source | $2,040 million |
| Gross profit Source | $1,836 million |
Earlier plans management reported on
- Not stated: Management said it reinforces confidence in achieving a 40% plus adjusted free cash flow margin in FY’28. Source
- Met: Management said the quarter reflected another quarter of 30% plus operating margin; reported non-GAAP operating margin was 30.2%. Source
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.