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Zscaler Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

Second Quarter Highlights

  • Revenue grows 23% year-over-year to $647.9 million
  • Calculated billings grows 18% year-over-year to $742.7 million
  • Deferred revenue grows 25% year-over-year to $1,878.5 million
  • GAAP net loss of $7.7 million compared to GAAP net loss of $28.5 million on a year-over-year basis
  • Non-GAAP net income of $127.1 million compared to non-GAAP net income of $99.4 million on a year-over-year basis

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zscaler, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZS), the leader in cloud security, today announced financial results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2025, ended January 31, 2025.

“Growing adoption of Zero Trust and AI is driving strong demand for our platform, resulting in yet another strong quarter that exceeded our guidance on both top and bottom line. We are leading the industry towards Zero Trust Everywhere by transforming security from legacy appliance-based to a Zero Trust architecture,” said Jay Chaudhry, Chairman and CEO of Zscaler. “By combining AI with Zero Trust, we are delivering several key innovations to secure our customers’ use of AI applications, creating new avenues of growth.”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Highlights

  • Revenue: $647.9 million, an increase of 23% year-over-year.
  • Income (loss) from operations: GAAP loss from operations was $40.1 million, or 6% of revenue, compared to $45.5 million, or 9% of revenue, in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Non-GAAP income from operations was $140.5 million, or 22% of revenue, compared to $103.2 million, or 20% of revenue, in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
  • Net income (loss): GAAP net loss was $7.7 million, compared to $28.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Non-GAAP net income was $127.1 million, compared to $99.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
  • Net income (loss) per share, diluted: GAAP net loss per share was $0.05, compared to $0.19 in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Non-GAAP net income per share was $0.78, compared to $0.63 in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
  • Cash flows: Cash provided by operations was $179.4 million, or 27% of revenue, compared to $142.1 million, or 27% of revenue, in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Free cash flow was $143.4 million, or 22% of revenue, compared to $100.8 million, or 19% of revenue, in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
  • Deferred revenue: $1,878.5 million as of January 31, 2025, an increase of 25% year-over-year.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments: $2,880.2 million as of January 31, 2025, an increase of $470.6 million from July 31, 2024.

Recent Business Highlights

  • Introduced the industry’s first Zero Trust Segmentation solution for branches and cloud environments. The new solution improves customers’ security posture by preventing lateral movement from ransomware attacks, while cutting firewall and infrastructure spend in half.
  • Started offering the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) service natively integrated within RISE with SAP. Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™) for SAP helps enable SAP customers with on-premises ERP workloads to simplify and de-risk their cloud migration, without the complexity and risk associated with traditional VPNs.
  • Appointed Phil Tee as EVP of AI Innovations. Tee previously co-founded an enterprise AI-driven provider of intelligent monitoring solutions for DevOps and ITOps.
  • Achieved FedRAMP authorization for Zscaler Zero Trust Browser. The authorization assures agencies of compliance with rigorous security standards, facilitating cloud adoption and streamlining the procurement process.
  • Announced that Nokia, a multinational technology leader, is migrating from its traditional firewall-based security model to the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange to enhance its security, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen cloud capabilities.

Change in Non-GAAP Measures Presentation

Effective August 1, 2024, the beginning of our fiscal year ending July 31, 2025, we are using a long-term projected non-GAAP tax rate of 23% for the purpose of determining our non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share to provide better consistency across interim reporting periods in fiscal 2025 and beyond. Given the significant growth of our business and non-GAAP operating income, we believe this change is necessary to better reflect the performance of our business. We will continue to assess the appropriate non-GAAP tax rate on a regular basis, which could be subject to changes for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. Prior period amounts have been recast to reflect this change.

Financial Outlook

For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, we expect:

  • Revenue of $665 million to $667 million
  • Non-GAAP income from operations of $140 million to $142 million
  • Non-GAAP net income per share of approximately $0.75 to $0.76, assuming approximately 163 million fully diluted shares outstanding and a non-GAAP tax rate of 23%

For the full year of fiscal 2025, we expect:

  • Revenue of approximately $2.640 billion to $2.654 billion
  • Calculated billings of $3.153 billion to $3.168 billion
  • Non-GAAP income from operations of $562 million to $572 million
  • Non-GAAP net income per share of $3.04 to $3.09, assuming approximately 163.5 million fully diluted shares outstanding and a non-GAAP tax rate of 23%

These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Refer to the Forward-Looking Statements safe harbor below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.

Guidance for non-GAAP income from operations excludes stock-based compensation expense and related employer payroll taxes, amortization of debt issuance costs, and amortization expense of acquired intangible assets. We have not reconciled our expectations of non-GAAP income from operations and non-GAAP net income per share to their most directly comparable GAAP measures because certain items are out of our control or cannot be reasonably predicted. For those reasons, we are also unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, the variability of which may have a significant impact on future results. Accordingly, a reconciliation for the guidance for non-GAAP income from operations and non-GAAP net income per share is not available without unreasonable effort.

For further information regarding why we believe that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors, the specific manner in which management uses these measures, and some of the limitations associated with the use of these measures, please refer to the "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this press release.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Zscaler will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss its second quarter of fiscal 2025 and outlook for its third quarter of fiscal 2025 and full year fiscal 2025 today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time (4:30 p.m. Eastern time).

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: 1:30 p.m. PT
Webcast: https://ir.zscaler.com 
Dial-in: To join by phone, register at the following link: (https://register.vevent.com/register/BI81201a44d72f48cab018ea30aa79b03b). After registering, you will be provided with a dial-in number and a personal PIN that you will need to join the call.
   

Upcoming Conferences

Third quarter of fiscal 2025 investor conference participation schedule:

  • Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in San Francisco
    Thursday, March 6, 2025
  • Susquehanna Travel, Tech + Gambling Forum (Virtual)
    Friday, March 7, 2025
  • Loop Capital Markets 2025 Investor Conference (Virtual)
    Monday, March 10, 2025
  • Stifel Technology 2025 Technology One-on-One Conference in New York City
    Tuesday, March 11, 2025
  • Cantor Global Technology Conference in New York City
    Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Sessions which offer a webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Zscaler website at https://ir.zscaler.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our future financial and operating performance, including our financial outlook for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 and full year fiscal 2025. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including but not limited to: macroeconomic influences and instability, geopolitical events, operations and financial results and the economy in general; risks related to the use of AI in our platform; our ability to identify and effectively implement the necessary changes to address execution challenges; risks associated with managing our rapid growth, including fluctuations from period to period; our limited experience with new products and subscriptions and support introductions and the risks associated with new products and subscription and support offerings, including the discovery of software bugs; our ability to attract and retain new customers; the failure to timely develop and achieve market acceptance of new products and subscriptions as well as existing products and subscription and support; rapidly evolving technological developments in the market for network security products and subscription and support offerings and our ability to remain competitive; length of sales cycles; useful lives of our assets and other estimates; and general market, political, economic and business conditions.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our financial results are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” set forth from time to time in our filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024 filed on December 5, 2024 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2024 filed on September 12, 2024, as well as future filings and reports by us, copies of which are available on our website at ir.zscaler.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties. Additional information will also be set forth in other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

We believe that the presentation of non-GAAP financial information provides important supplemental information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. For further information regarding why we believe that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors, the specific manner in which management uses these measures, and some of the limitations associated with the use of these measures, please refer to the “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this press release.

About Zscaler

Zscaler (Nasdaq: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across more than 160 data centers globally, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

Zscaler™ and the other trademarks listed at https://www.zscaler.com/legal/trademarks are either (i) registered trademarks or service marks or (ii) trademarks or service marks of Zscaler, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Any other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Investor Relations Contacts

Ashwin Kesireddy
VP, Investor Relations and Strategic Finance
(415) 798-1475
ir@zscaler.com

Natalia Wodecki
Media Relations Contact
press@zscaler.com

 
ZSCALER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
               
  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  January 31,   January 31,
  2025   2024   2025   2024
Revenue $ 647,900     $ 524,999     $ 1,275,855     $ 1,021,702  
Cost of revenue(1) (2)   148,498       117,199       289,960       228,593  
Gross profit   499,402       407,800       985,895       793,109  
Operating expenses:              
Sales and marketing(1) (2)   307,872       276,481       613,959       543,592  
Research and development(1) (2)   170,860       122,181       325,114       235,720  
General and administrative(1)   60,810       54,595       117,629       105,311  
Total operating expenses   539,542       453,257       1,056,702       884,623  
Loss from operations   (40,140 )     (45,457 )     (70,807 )     (91,514 )
Interest income   30,878       28,385       60,926       54,327  
Interest expense(3)   (2,339 )     (3,605 )     (5,482 )     (6,764 )
Other income (expense), net   (4,936 )     172       (5,588 )     (1,040 )
Loss before income taxes   (16,537 )     (20,505 )     (20,951 )     (44,991 )
Provision for (benefit from) for income taxes(4)   (8,813 )     7,964       (1,176 )     16,961  
Net loss $ (7,724 )   $ (28,469 )   $ (19,775 )   $ (61,952 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.05 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.42 )
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted   153,672       148,951       153,114       148,287  


(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes as follows:
Cost of revenue $ 17,619     $ 13,434     $ 33,412     $ 26,389  
Sales and marketing   69,979       65,855       134,845       124,523  
Research and development   65,896       44,120       124,761       85,163  
General and administrative   22,862       22,127       43,912       42,190  
Total $ 176,356     $ 145,536     $ 336,930     $ 278,265  


(2) Includes amortization expense of acquired intangible assets as follows:
Cost of revenue $ 3,815     $ 2,717     $ 7,490     $ 5,434  
Sales and marketing   425       226       850       452  
Research and development   5       140       145       233  
Total $ 4,245     $ 3,083     $ 8,485     $ 6,119  


(3) Includes amortization of debt issuance costs $ 982     $ 978     $ 1,963     $ 1,955  


(4) Benefit from a release of valuation allowance (*) $ 17,188     $     $ 17,188     $  
                               

(*) During the three months ended January 31, 2025, we recognized a tax benefit of $17.2 million attributable to the release of the valuation allowance on United Kingdom (U.K.) deferred tax assets.

 
ZSCALER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
  January 31,   July 31,
  2025   2024
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,758,506     $ 1,423,080  
Short-term investments   1,121,734       986,574  
Accounts receivable, net   514,314       736,529  
Deferred contract acquisition costs   156,079       148,873  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   114,573       101,561  
Total current assets   3,665,206       3,396,617  
Property and equipment, net   422,315       383,121  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   83,703       89,758  
Deferred contract acquisition costs, noncurrent   284,286       296,525  
Acquired intangible assets, net   55,658       63,835  
Goodwill   417,730       417,029  
Other noncurrent assets   77,070       58,083  
Total assets $ 5,005,968     $ 4,704,968  
       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 24,600     $ 23,309  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   90,626       91,708  
Accrued compensation   140,430       160,810  
Deferred revenue   1,595,780       1,643,919  
Convertible senior notes   1,147,513       1,142,275  
Operating lease liabilities   49,917       50,866  
Total current liabilities   3,048,866       3,112,887  
Deferred revenue, noncurrent   282,725       251,055  
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent   40,912       44,824  
Other noncurrent liabilities   26,119       22,100  
Total liabilities   3,398,622       3,430,866  
Stockholders’ Equity      
Common stock   155       152  
Additional paid-in capital   2,797,350       2,426,819  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (22,304 )     (4,789 )
Accumulated deficit   (1,167,855 )     (1,148,080 )
Total stockholders’ equity   1,607,346       1,274,102  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,005,968     $ 4,704,968  
               


 
ZSCALER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
  Six Months Ended
  January 31,
  2025   2024
Cash Flows from Operating Activities      
Net loss $ (19,775 )   $ (61,952 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization expense   45,911       29,361  
Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets   8,485       6,119  
Amortization of deferred contract acquisition costs   79,191       61,504  
Amortization of debt issuance costs   1,963       1,955  
Non-cash operating lease costs   31,565       21,633  
Stock-based compensation expense   329,295       269,570  
Accretion of investments purchased at a discount   (10,110 )     (9,582 )
Unrealized losses on hedging transactions   3,036       2,841  
Deferred income taxes   (17,359 )     (1,437 )
Other   1,303       1,403  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable   222,043       102,374  
Deferred contract acquisition costs   (74,158 )     (67,744 )
Prepaid expenses, other current and noncurrent assets   (12,144 )     2,660  
Accounts payable   98       (2,412 )
Accrued expenses, other current and noncurrent liabilities   (11,481 )     6,020  
Accrued compensation   (20,380 )     562  
Deferred revenue   (16,469 )     62,477  
Operating lease liabilities   (30,246 )     (22,477 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   510,768       402,875  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities      
Purchases of property, equipment and other assets   (32,043 )     (59,553 )
Capitalized internal-use software   (43,416 )     (17,816 )
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (834 )     (4,377 )
Purchase of strategic investments   (786 )     (2,000 )
Purchases of short-term investments   (729,066 )     (761,796 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments   605,003       594,687  
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments         2,105  
Net cash used in investing activities   (201,142 )     (248,750 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options   3,456       3,848  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan   22,344       18,407  
Net cash provided by financing activities   25,800       22,255  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   335,426       176,380  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   1,423,080       1,262,206  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,758,506     $ 1,438,586  
               


 
ZSCALER, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, except percentages)
(unaudited)
               
  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  January 31,   January 31,
  2025   2024   2025   2024
               
Revenue $ 647,900     $ 524,999     $ 1,275,855     $ 1,021,702  
               
Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin              
GAAP gross profit $ 499,402     $ 407,800     $ 985,895     $ 793,109  
Add: Stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes   17,619       13,434       33,412       26,389  
Add: Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets   3,815       2,717       7,490       5,434  
Non-GAAP gross profit $ 520,836     $ 423,951     $ 1,026,797     $ 824,932  
GAAP gross margin   77 %     78 %     77 %     78 %
Non-GAAP gross margin   80 %     81 %     80 %     81 %
               
Non-GAAP Income from Operations and Non-GAAP Operating Margin              
GAAP loss from operations $ (40,140 )   $ (45,457 )   $ (70,807 )   $ (91,514 )
Add: Stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes   176,356       145,536       336,930       278,265  
Add: Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets   4,245       3,083       8,485       6,119  
Non-GAAP income from operations $ 140,461     $ 103,162     $ 274,608     $ 192,870  
GAAP operating margin (6 )%   (9 )%   (6 )%   (9 )%
Non-GAAP operating margin   22 %     20 %     22 %     19 %
                               


 
ZSCALER, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
               
  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  January 31,   January 31,
  2025   2024   2025   2024
Non-GAAP Net Income per Share, Diluted              
GAAP net loss $ (7,724 )   $ (28,469 )   $ (19,775 )   $ (61,952 )
Add: GAAP provision for (benefit from) income taxes   (8,813 )     7,964       (1,176 )     16,961  
GAAP loss before income taxes   (16,537 )     (20,505 )     (20,951 )     (44,991 )
Add:              
Stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes   176,356       145,536       336,930       278,265  
Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets   4,245       3,083       8,485       6,119  
Amortization of debt issuance costs   982       978       1,963       1,955  
Non-GAAP net income before income taxes   165,046       129,092       326,427       241,348  
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes(1)   37,965       29,691       75,083       55,510  
Non-GAAP net income $ 127,081     $ 99,401     $ 251,344     $ 185,838  
               
GAAP provision for (benefit from) income taxes $ (8,813 )   $ 7,964     $ (1,176 )   $ 16,961  
Add: Income tax and other tax adjustments(2)   46,778       21,727       76,259       38,549  
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes(1) $ 37,965     $ 29,691     $ 75,083     $ 55,510  
Non-GAAP effective tax rate(1)   23 %     23 %     23 %     23 %
               
Non-GAAP net income   127,081       99,401       251,344       185,838  
Add: Non-GAAP interest expense, net of tax related to the convertible senior notes   276       276       552       552  
Numerator used in computing non-GAAP net income per share, diluted $ 127,357     $ 99,677     $ 251,896     $ 186,390  
               
GAAP net loss per share, diluted $ (0.05 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.42 )
Stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes   1.09       0.91       2.08       1.75  
Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets   0.03       0.02       0.05       0.04  
Amortization of debt issuance costs   0.01       0.01       0.01       0.01  
Income tax and other tax adjustments(2)   (0.29 )     (0.14 )     (0.47 )     (0.24 )
Non-GAAP interest expense related to the convertible senior notes                      
Adjustment to total fully diluted earnings per share(3)   (0.01 )     0.02       0.01       0.03  
Non-GAAP net income per share, diluted $ 0.78     $ 0.63     $ 1.55     $ 1.17  
               
Weighted-average shares used in computing GAAP net loss per share, diluted   153,672       148,951       153,114       148,287  
Add: Outstanding potentially dilutive equity incentive awards   2,988       4,670       2,848       4,226  
Add: Convertible senior notes   7,626       7,626       7,626       7,626  
Less: Antidilutive impact of capped call transactions(4)   (1,769 )     (2,093 )     (1,505 )     (1,254 )
Weighted-average shares used in computing non-GAAP net income per share, diluted   162,517       159,154       162,083       158,885  

___________

(1) Effective August 1, 2024, the beginning of our fiscal year ending July 31, 2025, we are using a long-term projected non-GAAP tax rate of 23% for the purpose of determining our non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share to provide better consistency across interim reporting periods in fiscal 2025 and beyond. Given the significant growth of our business and non-GAAP operating income, we believe this change is necessary to better reflect the performance of our business. We will continue to assess the appropriate non-GAAP tax rate on a regular basis, which could be subject to changes for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. Prior period amounts have been recast to reflect this change.

(2) Consists of income tax adjustments related to our long-term non-GAAP effective tax rate of 23%. In the three months ended January 31, 2025, the adjustments exclude the tax benefit of $17.2 million attributable to the release of the valuation allowance on U.K. deferred tax assets.

(3) The sum of the fully diluted earnings per share impact of individual reconciling items may not total to fully diluted non-GAAP net income per share due to the weighted-average shares used in computing the GAAP net loss per share differs from the weighted-average shares used in computing the non-GAAP net income per share, and due to rounding of the individual reconciling items. The GAAP net loss per share calculation uses a lower share count as it excludes potentially dilutive shares, which are included in calculating the non-GAAP net income per share.

(4) We exclude the in-the-money portion of the convertible senior notes for non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares as they are covered by our capped call transactions. Our outstanding capped call transactions are antidilutive under GAAP but are expected to mitigate the dilutive effect of the convertible senior notes and therefore are included in the calculation of non-GAAP diluted shares outstanding. The capped calls have an antidilutive impact when the average stock price of our common stock in a given period is higher than their exercise price.

 
ZSCALER, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, except percentages)
(unaudited)
               
  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  January 31,   January 31,
  2025   2024   2025   2024
Calculated Billings              
Revenue $ 647,900     $ 524,999     $ 1,275,855     $ 1,021,702  
Add: Total deferred revenue, end of period   1,878,505       1,502,175       1,878,505       1,502,175  
Less: Total deferred revenue, beginning of period   (1,783,720 )     (1,399,544 )     (1,894,974 )     (1,439,676 )
Calculated billings $ 742,685     $ 627,630     $ 1,259,386     $ 1,084,201  
               
Free Cash Flow              
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 179,433     $ 142,069     $ 510,768     $ 402,875  
Less: Purchases of property, equipment and other assets   (15,018 )     (30,894 )     (32,043 )     (59,553 )
Less: Capitalized internal-use software   (20,987 )     (10,387 )     (43,416 )     (17,816 )
Free cash flow $ 143,428     $ 100,788     $ 435,309     $ 325,506  
               
Free Cash Flow Margin              
Net cash provided by operating activities, as a percentage of revenue   27 %     27 %     40 %     39 %
Less: Purchases of property, equipment and other assets, as a percentage of revenue (2 )%   (6 )%   (3 )%   (6 )%
Less: Capitalized internal-use software, as a percentage of revenue (3 )%   (2 )%   (3 )%   (2 )%
Free cash flow margin   22 %     19 %     34 %     32 %
                               


 
ZSCALER, INC.
Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 

In addition to our results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), we believe the following non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance. We use the following non-GAAP financial information to evaluate our ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We believe that non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance. However, non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, as it has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. In particular, free cash flow is not a substitute for cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, the utility of free cash flow as a measure of our liquidity is further limited as it does not represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance for a given period. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate similarly titled non-GAAP measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison. A reconciliation of our historical non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measures stated in accordance with GAAP has been included in this press release. Investors are cautioned that there are a number of limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures and key metrics as analytical tools. Investors are encouraged to review these reconciliations, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

Expenses Excluded from Non-GAAP Measures

Stock-based compensation expense is excluded primarily because it is a non-cash expense that management believes is not reflective of our ongoing operational performance. Employer payroll taxes related to stock-based compensation, which is a cash expense, are excluded because these are tied to the timing and size of the exercise or vesting of the underlying equity incentive awards and the price of our common stock at the time of vesting or exercise, which may vary from period to period independent of the operating performance of our business. Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets and amortization of debt issuance costs from the convertible senior notes are excluded because these are non-cash expenses and are not reflective of our ongoing operational performance.

Effective August 1, 2024, the beginning of our fiscal year ending July 31, 2025, we are using a long-term projected non-GAAP tax rate of 23% for the purpose of determining our non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share to provide better consistency across interim reporting periods. Given the significant growth of our business and non-GAAP operating income, we believe this change is necessary to better reflect the performance of our business. We will continue to assess the appropriate non-GAAP tax rate on a regular basis, which could be subject to changes for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. Prior period amounts have been recast to reflect this change.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin. We define non-GAAP gross profit as GAAP gross profit excluding stock-based compensation expense and related employer payroll taxes and amortization expense of acquired intangible assets. We define non-GAAP gross margin as non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenue.

Non-GAAP Income from Operations and Non-GAAP Operating Margin. We define non-GAAP income from operations as GAAP loss from operations excluding stock-based compensation expense and related employer payroll taxes and amortization expense of acquired intangible assets. We define non-GAAP operating margin as non-GAAP income from operations as a percentage of revenue.

Non-GAAP Net Income per Share, Diluted. We define non-GAAP net income as GAAP net loss excluding stock-based compensation expense and related employer payroll taxes, amortization expense of acquired intangible assets, amortization of debt issuance costs, and the non-GAAP provision for income taxes adjustment. We define non-GAAP net income per share, diluted, as non-GAAP net income plus the non-GAAP interest expense related to the convertible senior notes divided by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially diluted common stock equivalents outstanding during the period and the anti-dilutive impact of the capped call transactions entered into in connection with the convertible senior notes.

Calculated Billings. We define calculated billings as revenue plus the change in deferred revenue in a period. Calculated billings in any particular period aims to reflect amounts invoiced for subscriptions to access our cloud platform, together with related support services for our new and existing customers. We typically invoice our customers annually in advance, and to a lesser extent quarterly in advance, monthly in advance or multi-year in advance.

Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Margin. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, equipment and other assets and capitalized internal-use software. We define free cash flow margin as free cash flow divided by revenue. We believe that free cash flow and free cash flow margin are useful indicators of liquidity that provide information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our operations that, after the investments in property, equipment and other assets and capitalized internal-use software, can be used for strategic initiatives.


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