EFX - Equifax Inc.
| Previous Close | 141.34 |
| Open | 141.52 |
| Bid | 141.04 x 800 |
| Ask | 141.25 x 2200 |
| Day's Range | 139.63 - 141.78 |
| 52 Week Range | 88.68 - 148.59 |
| Volume | 574,306 |
| Avg. Volume | 783,584 |
| Market Cap | 17.051B |
| Beta (3Y Monthly) | 1.37 |
| PE Ratio (TTM) | N/A |
| EPS (TTM) | -3.52 |
| Earnings Date | Oct 22, 2019 - Oct 28, 2019 |
| Forward Dividend & Yield | 1.56 (1.10%) |
| Ex-Dividend Date | 2019-08-22 |
| 1y Target Est | 141.44 |
- PR Newswire
Equifax Continues Leadership In Alternative Data With Worldwide Urjanet Partnership
ATLANTA, Sept. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax Inc. (EFX) and Urjanet today announced a global partnership that empowers consumers and businesses to share their payment data from thousands of utility, telecom and cable providers worldwide for a more complete picture of individual payment history, easier identity verification and the potential for better access to credit. This partnership builds on Equifax's leadership in alternative data, using the Urjanet Utility Data Platform to incorporate consumer-permissioned data into the Equifax differentiated data approach.
- GlobeNewswire
Canadian consumers catch their collective breath - Some concerning signals from Q1 dissipate -
TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2019 -- Equifax® Canada’s report on Canadian consumer credit in Q2 shows some cooling after a very active Q1 performance. Total debt per consumer rose by 1.9.
- Yahoo Finance
New IBM mainframe can process 1 trillion web transactions a day
IBM is out with its newest mainframe - z15. Yahoo Finance sat down with Tom Rosamilia, the Senior Vice President of IBM Systems and Chairman of IBM North America to hear how it'll change the industry.
- InvestorPlace
9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Every Investor
[Editor's note: "9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Every Investor" was previously published in July 2019. It has since been updated to include the most relevant information available.]No matter where we are in the economic cycle, it's always good to remind ourselves of what worked and what didn't. In 2017, Wall Street forecast a rough yea,r but quite the opposite happened. Benchmark indices hit all-time records, while investors ended up being upbeat about most sectors.In 2018, the long-running bull market took a breather as investors switched from risk-on to risk-off.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsThis year so far has only been a little forgiving and that might not last, which is why I recommend that investors get selective. Fortunately, with dividend stocks, investors don't have to feel pressured to always pick winners. * 10 Battered Tech Stocks to Buy Now Although picking high-flying growth companies is a sexier endeavor, they aren't always the smartest stocks to buy. With passive-income yielding firms, you get the potential to make capital gains and obtain residual payouts to bolster your position. During a down period, dividends can also help you ride out the storm.But don't mistake benefiting from these yields as "boring" strategies. As with any asset class, you can dial up the risk for the chance of greater rewards.. No one knows your investment style better than you!The following ideas are broken down into three sections: stable, mid-level and high-yield (speculative). Each section has something to offer, depending on how much risk you're willing to take. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)Current Dividend Yield: 2.9%If you love stable dividend stocks, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one of the best dividend stocks to buy. It is the powerhouse brand of powerhouse brands. Better yet, JNJ is levered toward the ultimate in non-cyclical industries: healthcare. Selling consumer-level products, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, JNJ is one of the most respected companies in the world.Source: Shutterstock Currently, Johnson & Johnson's dividend yield is 2.9%. But what people may not immediately appreciate is that JNJ can also surprise people in the capital markets. For instance, since mid-2015, shares are up nearly 40%.Critically for conservative investors, JNJ rarely loses. Between 1970 to the end of 2018, annual returns average almost 15%. Moreover, JNJ only hit red ink 14 times, meaning that 72% of the time, you can expect shares to win.In our business, that's as close to a sure thing as you're gonna get! Wells Fargo (WFC)Current Dividend Yield: 4.22%I'll admit that I wasn't thrilled about putting Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) into my dividend stocks to buy list. You'll recall that WFC was embroiled in a major controversy that shocked the entire financial and business community. Essentially, the banking giant admitted to creating more than two million fake accounts to meet ambitious sales targets.Source: Shutterstock It made me sick and I'm not the only one. But eventually, people get over this stuff, perhaps resigned to the fact that the major conglomerates always win. I even made the argument that Equifax Inc (NYSE:EFX) -- yes, that Equifax -- would be forgiven. * 10 Battered Tech Stocks to Buy Now As cynical as it may sound, what good will being angry do for any of us? Today Equifax is just around a few percent off its pre-scandal highs, and Wells Fargo is now above its pre-scandal highs.It stinks that the ultra-rich get away with bloody murder. From a financial perspective, though, WFC is an opportunity. It's slowly making recovery inroads. Most important, WFC spits out the biggest dividend yield among the "big four" at more than 4%. That may be the price of forgiveness! Exxon Mobil (XOM)Current Dividend Yield: 4.84%Again, on the surface level, Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) is a strange name to put on a "best dividend stocks" list. Energy is hardly the most consistent sector. More to the point, XOM has been on the wrong end of a market shake-up. Since the oil collapse of 2014, XOM has at best been treading water against prior highs.Source: Shutterstock But the flip side to this bearish argument is that in practical ways, energy is the most consistent sector possible. When people hit the switch, they expect the lights to turn on. Similarly, when they go to the gasoline station, they expect to fill their tanks. Without XOM and its ilk, none of these things would occur. A societal breakdown could commence.In all seriousness, investors should be encouraged by Exxon Mobil's response to the oil market downturn. They and the remaining survivors have revamped their operations and rid themselves of unproductive assets. Today, XOM and the oil community are leaner, meaner, and better prepared for whatever lies ahead.In other words, XOM has proven its resilience, adding another 5.5% since the beginning of the year. As a conservative investor, you can buy that 4.8% yield with confidence. Duke Energy (DUK)Current Dividend Yield: 4%If you're a real numbers person, you'll want to pay attention to Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK). Based on a quantitative model that our own Louis Navellier developed, DUK is one of the best dividend stocks to buy. Mixing in commonly-used metrics (ie. earnings momentum) as well propriety methods, DUK appears primed for a stellar new year.Source: Shutterstock I prefer to keep it simple if there's no real need to complicate things. Here's what I'm looking at: Since the tech bubble and the 2008 financial crisis, DUK has steadily rewarded investors with few hiccups. This year, DUK is set to return more than 13% if its yield and price stay at their current levels for the rest of 2019.All indications suggest that Duke Energy can keep the good times flowing into next year. As it stands, the company is the seventh-largest electric utility company in the U.S. Furthermore, management has retired many of its coal power plants, focusing instead on natural gas and cleaner energy sources. * 10 Battered Tech Stocks to Buy Now Currently, DUK stock yields 4%. Although slightly riskier than your conservative dividend play, Duke Energy has the right balance between stability and income. AT&T (T)Current Dividend Yield: 5.3%I have to say that AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) disappointed me this year in the capital markets. Typically, AT&T is like clockwork, more often than not, you know what you're getting. This year was the anomaly.Source: Mike Mozart via FlickrT stock dropped like a rock last year but managed to recover its losses and then some, adding nearly 36% so far this year.Keep in mind that between 1984 through 2016, AT&T's annual returns average more than 13%. During this time, T stock has only lost eight times out of 33. AT&T has been a winner almost 75% of the time.Like the aforementioned JNJ, at this rate, T stock is practically a sure thing. The only difference is the reward. AT&T offers a whopping 5.3% dividend yield! Welltower Inc (WELL)Current Dividend Yield: 3.97%It's always a little amusing to see a generation come of age. The news flash that everyone else knows instinctively is that time stops for no one; "youth is wasted on the young."Source: sima dimitric via FlickrWith that harsh reality in mind, I bring to you Welltower (NYSE:WELL). WELL stock is a real estate investment trust specializing in senior care and facilities. Even if you're one of the young millennials who see no use for Welltower, you still might put your parents into one of their centers. * 10 Battered Tech Stocks to Buy Now Joking aside, I can think of no other business where revenues are virtually guaranteed, save for a funeral home. Although Welltower's market performance has been a little choppy, in the long haul, Welltower has been a steady investment.Of course, we can't forget the dividend yields, which for WELL stands at nearly 4%. Blackstone Group (BX)Current Dividend Yield: 4.1%Moving on to the speculative side of dividend stocks, we have Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX). If you were to simply assess BX based on this year's performance alone, Blackstone wouldn't seem at all risky. In 2019, BX has gained 69% (excluding dividends) making it a solid performer.Source: Shutterstock Typically, strong capital returns and high yields don't go together. With a dividend yield of 4%, Blackstone's passive income is right around the same as an average mutual fund. So what gives?Let's just say that BX will probably never make the list of best "feel good" stocks. The financial firm has been involved in a number of controversies, ranging from scandalous real-estate practices to shadow banking. It's really one of those profit-at-all-costs kind of companies. But hey, who said Wall Street was a friendly place? Kimco Realty Corp (KIM)Current Dividend Yield: 5.55%I will tell you straight up that anything involving brick-and-mortar retail is a risky game. Earlier this year, I cautioned my readers about investing in retail REITs. With overall declining foot-traffic, the physical retail space doesn't have the appeal it once did. Of course, the most important factor is e-commerce. Why sit in traffic and wait in lines when you can shop conveniently at Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN)?Source: Shutterstock The flip side to this argument is that there are some retail sectors that Amazon has trouble ousting. For instance, most people find it more convenient to size their clothing at a physical apparel shop than guessing online.In addition, some store brands offer better pricing or a better experience than Amazon. Think Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), Costco (NASDAQ:COST) and Best Buy (NYSE:BBY). * 10 Battered Tech Stocks to Buy Now A retail REIT that focuses on strong brands just might have a chance, hence Kimco (NYSE:KIM). KIM features multiple properties running highly demanded store brands. Moreover, a good chunk of their properties are located in lucrative markets.Will it be enough to overcome the risk to the entire sector? I'm not so sure, which helps explain Kimco's 5.55% dividend yield. If you're a believer, KIM stock gives you a solid opportunity. Sotherly Hotels Inc (SOHO)Current Dividend Yield: 7.77%Thanks to the abundance of consumer-level technologies, traditional industries face obsolescence. A decade ago, if you needed to go to the airport, you essentially had to call a cab. Now, with ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, you can request a similar service conveniently through your smartphone.Source: Anders Jilden via UnsplashA similar upheaval may occur in the hotel industry, thanks to apps like Airbnb. To survive in this rough-and-tumble sector, you need a fresh approach. Sotherly Hotels (NASDAQ:SOHO) just might have the magic formula. Centered largely in the southern region of the U.S., SOHO provides an authentic, unique experience for its guests.Apparently, most millennials want brands to be more authentic, and that fits SOHO to a T. Visit any of their locations, and you feel like a welcomed member of a community, not some room number. Plus, former NFL star Herschel Walker sits on the board of directors. That's just downright awesome!But will any of this matter for investors? Again, it's a tough call given so many changes in the hospitality and services sector. Still, with a 7.77% dividend yield, SOHO is worth a second look.As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Battered Tech Stocks to Buy Now * 7 Strong-Buy Stocks Hedge Funds Are Buying Now * The 7 Best Penny Stocks to Buy The post 9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Every Investor appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- MarketWatch
Victims of the Equifax data breach won’t be eligible for $125 in settlement unless they meet these criteria
The $700 million settlement they’re owed comes with some strings attached, a settlement administrator said this month. The settlement, unveiled in July, offers the 147 million consumers affected by the massive 2017 breach a choice between 10 years of free credit monitoring or $125 in cash.
- GlobeNewswire
Equifax Asks: Would you Fib on a Mortgage Application?
According to a recent Equifax survey on mortgage fraud, nearly 23 per cent of millennials believe it’s acceptable to inflate your annual income when applying for a mortgage. This is nearly double the percentage of the general population (12 per cent) that was asked the same question. Mortgage fraud is defined as when someone – you, a mortgage broker or agent, a real estate agent or a lawyer – misrepresents, lies or exaggerates information to obtain a mortgage that would not have been granted if the truth had been told.
- Zacks
Near-Term Prospects Look Bright for Consumer Loans Industry
Near-Term Prospects Look Bright for Consumer Loans Industry
- MarketWatch
Senator wants Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to potentially face prison term
“Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly lied to the American people about privacy. “He hurt a lot of people,” Wyden told Portland’s Willamette Weekly newspaper in an interview published last week. Wyden introduced a bill in 2018 that would give the Federal Trade Commission expanded powers to punish companies that violate consumers’ data privacy, including steep fines and potential prison time for executives.
- TechCrunch
Credit Sesame, a platform for managing loans and credit scores, picks up $43M en route to IPO
Now, one of the startups that's building tools to help consumers better cope with that is announcing a round of funding and plans for an IPO -- signs of the demand for its services, and its success to date. Credit Sesame -- which lets consumers check their credit scores and evaluate options to rebalance existing debts and loans to improve that score and thus their overall "financial health," in the words of CEO and founder Adrian Nazari -- has raised $43 million. With the company already profitable and growing revenues 90% each year for the last five, Nazari said that this round is likely to be the last round the company raises before it goes public.
- PR Newswire
Equifax Launches Core Credit™
ATLANTA, Aug. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax® (EFX) today launched Core Credit™, a product that enables consumers to receive their free Equifax credit report and free VantageScore® 3.0 credit score based on Equifax data each month. Core Credit is available to eligible U.S. consumers through myEquifax, an online portal initially launched in September 2018.
- TheStreet.com
10 Best Credit Monitoring Services of 2019
Monitoring your credit is important, but when you want to recruit a service to help, do you know which one to choose? Find out which credit monitoring services are the best in the industry in 2019.
- InvestorPlace
15 Cybersecurity Stocks to Watch as the Industry Heats Up
[Editor's note: This story was previously published in February 2019. It has since been updated and republished.]Another day, another hack, another reason to buy a cybersecurity stock. That has been my motto for the better part of the past few years, as a huge surge in digital data volume globally has been accompanied by an equally large surge in headline cyber attacks. The big one was the Equifax (NYSE:EFX) scandal back in mid-2017, but that incident is far from isolated. Everyone from Under Armour (NYSE:UAA) to Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) to Uber (NYSE:UBER) to Capital One and even United States universities have dealt with a cyber attack of some sort over the past several years.Concurrent to the rampant rise in cyber attacks, demand for cybersecurity solutions has burgeoned, and cybersecurity stocks have bounced. The Prime Cyber Security ETF (NYSEARCA:HACK) is up roughly 50% since early 2017, almost double the S&P 500's return of 30%.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 S&P 500 Dividend Stocks to Buy at Least Yielding 3% The pace of these attacks will only increase as more valuable data shifts online over the next several years. As such, demand for cybersecurity solutions will continue to grow and cybersecurity stocks will continue to outperform.With that in mind, here's a list of 15 cybersecurity stocks that investors should watch over the next several years. Indeed, I think a few of them could be huge winners. Palo Alto Networks (PANW)Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com When it comes to cybersecurity stocks, the cream of the crop is Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW)."Another day, another hack, another reason to buy a cybersecurity stock" could just as easily read "another day, another hack, another reason to buy Palo Alto Networks stock." In other words, Palo Alto Networks is so big and so good at what it does that the company may as well be a substitute for the entire cybersecurity space.This dominance has manifested itself in a long and steady track record of 20%-plus revenue growth and healthy operating margin expansion, the sum of which has powered an almost 150% rally in PANW stock over the past five years.PANW stock has sold off over the past few months. This selloff is an opportunity. The fundamentals remain strong (28% revenue growth last quarter). The outlook remains robust (27% revenue growth projected for this year). Analysts remain confident (consensus price target implies 30% upside). The secular drivers behind the cybersecurity industry remain vigorous.Thus, recent weakness is an opportunity, and nothing more. Fortinet (FTNT)Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com While Palo Alto Networks may be the cream of the crop in this industry, Fortinet (NASDAQ:FTNT) isn't too far behind.This is another really big, really strong cybersecurity company that has a strong track record of around 20% revenue growth and strong share price gains. Over the past five years, FTNT is up well over 200%.Revenue growth isn't slowing at all, implying that despite increased competition, Fortinet continues to ride secular tailwinds in cybersecurity to around 20% revenue growth. Thus, so long as cybersecurity tailwinds remain strong, FTNT stock should do well. * 10 Stocks to Buy That Could Be Takeover Targets Valuation was rich for a brief moment in time. That moment in time has now passed. With FTNT stock 15% off its recent highs, the forward price-to-earnings multiple has come down to 33, versus an all time high valuation of over 50 back in mid-2018. With the valuation now at much more reasonable levels, near-term upside looks compelling. As such, now looks like a good time to buy. Check Point (CHKP)Source: jejim / Shutterstock.com Another cybersecurity industry titan is Check Point (NASDAQ:CHKP). And, as an industry titan, CHKP stock is a likely winner if cybersecurity tailwinds stay strong.But, CHKP stock has struggled lately. CHKP hasn't gone anywhere in two years. A lot of this weakness in CHKP stock has to do with anemic revenue growth. Revenue growth was just 4% last quarter, an unusually low mark for a cybersecurity giant.Long story short, it looks like competition is weighing on CHKP stock. Thus, go-forward growth prospects -- while strong -- are muddied by competitive threats. Granted, CHKP stock sports a reasonable valuation at just a little less than 17 times forward earnings. But, that low valuation runs next to low growth, so the stock really isn't a bargain.Analysts aren't in love with this stock, and the chart isn't all that great, either. Thus, while CHKP should head higher in the long run thanks to industry tailwinds, the outlook for the stock in the near- to medium-term is much less promising than it is for FTNT or PANW. FireEye (FEYE)Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com I'd lump cybersecurity company FireEye (NASDAQ:FEYE) more into the Check Point pile than the Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet pile.This is a solid company with healthy industry drivers, but revenue growth isn't robust. In 2019, that's caught up with the stock, which has fallen just over 15% this year. The company is also barely profitable, and that hasn't helped investor sentiment amid sluggish revenue growth.As such, FEYE stock doesn't look like a huge winner in the big picture. * 6 Big Dividend Stocks to Buy as Yields Plunge That being said, there is an argument to buy FEYE stock in the near to medium term. Ever since the start of 2016, FEYE stock has been highly cyclical. In that cycle, the stock usually bottoms when the trailing sales multiple hits three. Right now, we are just above 3. Thus, further weakness in the stock should be expected, but could eventually turn into a medium-term buying opportunity. Proofpoint (PFPT)Source: II.studio / Shutterstock.com Proofpoint (NASDAQ:PFPT) is the nascent, hyper-growth player in the cybersecurity space -- and one of the more exciting cybersecurity stocks.The company isn't all that big (under $7 billion market cap). But, what this company lacks in size, it makes up for in growth, with a 25% year-over-year revenue growth rate reported last quarter, and 20%-plus revenue growth expected in each of the next two years.Because of this massive growth in a rapidly expanding industry, PFPT stock has done quite well. The stock is up about 200% over the past five years.Analysts think this stock heads higher. So do I. Growth rates are huge, the valuation is reasonable and the chart looks good. Okta (OKTA)Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com Hyper-growth cybersecurity company Okta (NASDAQ:OKTA) has been a Wall Street favorite for the past few quarters, and projects to remain one for the next few years, too.Okta has developed what the company calls the Identity Cloud. The Identity Cloud is basically just taking cybersecurity and building it for the individual, as opposed to for an ecosystem or service. The analogy I like to use is that if most cybersecurity solutions are a castle surrounding a company's data, then Okta's Identity Cloud is armor protecting each individual's data.The idea is that if everyone has armor, everyone's data is safe, and you don't need a castle -- which is ideal, because cybersecurity castles can be restricting and inconvenient. A lot of companies are buying into this idea. Okta has reported 50%-plus revenue growth in each of the past several quarters, alongside 30%-plus customer growth. All this growth is high-quality growth, too, since gross margins at the company run north of 70%. * 7 Bank Stocks to Leave in the Vault All in all, Okta has all the right ingredients for huge profit growth over the next few years. Sure, a lot of that profit growth is priced in today, and the stock is extremely expensive. But, in the low rate environment in which we find ourselves today, valuation takes a backseat to growth. So, for the foreseeable future, OKTA stock should run higher. CyberArk (CYBR)Source: photobyphm / Shutterstock.com Much like Proofpoint, CyberArk (NASDAQ:CYBR) is a cybersecurity company characterized by small scale but big growth.CyberArk is even smaller than Proofpoint (just a $4.4 billion market cap). But, growth is really big. Last quarter, revenues rose 29% year-over-year, and deferred revenue rose by more than 30%. Revenue growth is expected to be in the 20% range for the next several years, too.Also much like PFPT, CYBR stock has been a big winner due to its big growth. Over the past year, CYBR stock is almost 70%.Analysts think this run will continue, albeit at a slower rate. That seems reasonable to me. This stock is slightly more expensive than PFPT, but growing at a slower rate, so if you are searching for growth in the cybersecurity space, I'd pick PFPT over CYBR. Nonetheless, secular cybersecurity tailwinds and big growth potential will push CYBR stock higher, too. Cisco (CSCO)Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com One of the bigger companies on this list, Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO), is much more than just a cybersecurity company. But, a big part of this company's turnaround narrative is centered on cybersecurity.That part of the Cisco narrative is doing well, and is powering improved financial results. But, it's reasonable to believe that the cybersecurity-led turnaround will slow going forward, as the laps get tougher and as the revenue growth trajectory flattens out again. * 7 Stocks to Buy for Monster Growth That being said, CSCO stock is pretty cheap at just 13.3 times forward earnings, and the chart looks pretty good (outside of the recent trade war inspired collapse).Big picture, CSCO stock is low risk, low reward. It is a low-risk, low-volatility investment with a cheap valuation. But, it also lacks big-time growth drivers to unlock huge share price appreciation in the long term. Carbonite (CARB)Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com Although it is one of the smaller names on this list, Carbonite (NASDAQ:CARB) has one of the better growth narratives in all of cybersecurity.This is a company that is positioning itself as a data protection company. Considering the volume of digital data is exploding higher right now on a global scale, data protection is the right niche to dominate over the next several years.Carbonite's numbers haven't been great as of late. The company has reported continued robust revenue growth. But, those same big growth numbers have fallen shy of the big growth estimates put forth by Wall Street. As such, CARB stock has struggled this year, and is down 69% over the past 52 weeks.The valuation isn't all that bad at six times forward earnings. But, the stock has a ton of downward momentum right now. I'd wait for this momentum to ease up before buying into this falling knife. Qualys (QLYS)Source: Shutterstock The next cybersecurity stock to watch over the next several years is Qualys (NASDAQ:QLYS).The value proposition of Qualys is getting enterprise customers to sign onto their platform, consolidate their security and compliance stacks and cut IT spending. That is a pretty promising value prop, and a lot of customers are buying into it.Last quarter, revenues at Qualys rose more than 15% year-over-year. Gross margins aren't soaring higher, but operating margins are moving higher as big revenue growth is driving operating expense leverage. * 7 Safe Stocks to Buy for Anxious Investors From a valuation perspective, this hyper-growth cybersecurity stock looks fully valued at over 11 times trailing sales. That is about as big as it gets in this industry. But, Qualys isn't the biggest grower in the space. Thus, going forward, valuation will likely weigh on share price performance. Symantec (SYMC)Source: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com Of all the stocks on this list, Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC) is the one that has been struggling the most in the long term.SYMC stock essentially hasn't gone anywhere in five years, mostly thanks to slowing revenue growth, which turned negative in fiscal 2019. Considering competition in this space is only intensifying, it is discouraging to see revenue growth dip into negative territory.That being said, SYMC stock is about as cheap as it gets in this sector. The stock trades at 3.4 times trailing sales and just under 13 times forward earnings. Those are pretty cheap multiples for exposure to cyber defense. Revenue growth has also bounced back into positive territory in fiscal 2020, and is expected to remain in positive territory for the next few years.If the growth trajectory for this company continues to improve, SYMC stock could soar higher. Right now, it looks like that will indeed happen. As such, SYMC stock could run higher over the next few quarters as growth comes back into the picture. Akamai (AKAM)Source: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com One cybersecurity stock with a very attractive and multi-faceted growth narrative is Akamai (NASDAQ:AKAM).The Akamai growth narrative is really quite broad. On one end, the company's fastest-growing segment is its Cloud Security solutions. Revenues in this segment are consistently growing around 25% to 35% year-over-year each quarter, and momentum is strong due to the security portfolio including new products.On the other end, Akamai provides solutions that enable the shift from linear content to internet content. This shift is only gaining momentum, and as such, Akamai's growth narrative and numbers are only getting better. * 7 High-Yield REITs to Buy (Even When the Market Tanks) Valuation is a concern for this stock. But, the fundamentals are pretty good. Thus, while I don't think AKAM stock has another 20%-plus upside in its tank over the next 12 months, I do see this stock heading higher in a multi-year window. Splunk (SPLK)Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com Another high-growth name in this space is Splunk (NASDAQ:SPLK).Splunk essentially operates in the world of turning data into actionable insights. This is a good place to be. It puts Splunk at the heart of a $55 billion addressable market, and that market has a ton of tailwinds. Revenues currently sit around $2 billion on a trailing 12 month basis, so there is clearly a long runway for big growth. Indeed, in the long run, SPLK stock should run significantly higher.But, valuation is a concern. Specifically, it appears that investors quickly recognized Splunk as a long-term winner, and all rushed into SPLK stock. That caused the valuation to sprint ahead of the fundamentals. As such, over the past year, SPLK stock hasn't really gone anywhere -- despite continued huge revenue growth -- because the fundamentals are trying to catch up with the valuation.Eventually, they will. When they do, SPLK stock will be ready to take a another meaningful leg higher, and another one after that, too. Long term, this stock is going higher. F5 Networks (FFIV)Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com F5 Networks (NASDAQ:FFIV) has fallen upon hard times. But, that could change soon. Over the past year, the stock is down over 30%, while most of its peers are up over the past 52 weeks.Why the big drop? A few bad quarters with revenue misses and light guides, the sum of which have implied to investors that the growth story here is slowing.Having said that, the valuation on FFIV stock is now very attractive. FFIV projects as a sub-10% earnings growth company over the next several years. At one point in time, this was a 20 times forward earnings multiple stock. That's too big for sub-10% profit growth. Today, though, the forward earnings multiple is down around 12. That's much more in-line with sub-10% profit growth. * 7 Strong Buy Stocks With Over 20% Upside Perhaps that is why the consensus price target on FFIV stock is 20% above the current price tag. I think the analysts are right on this one. Near-term valuation-driven upside in FFIV stock is compelling. Zscaler (ZS)Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com Freshly public and relatively small, Zscaler (NASDAQ:ZS) is one of the most exciting and risky cybersecurity stocks on this list.Zscaler went public at $16 per share in March 2018. The IPO was a huge success. ZS stock doubled in its first day of trading, closing at $33. The momentum hasn't really stopped. Today, ZS stock is in the $70 range.The hype makes sense. Zscaler is a cloud security company that is growing very, very quickly with very high gross margins and a ton of visibility to produce huge profits at scale. The company is disrupting a huge, nearly $20 billion cloud and mobility market, and revenues over the past 12 months amount to less than $300 million.Thus, the long-term growth narrative supporting ZS stock is quite promising. But, this is a $9 billion company that is expected to do around $400 million in sales next year, so the stock is trading at a rather huge 22.5X forward one year sales multiple. That isn't a risk-free investment. As such, ZS is the high-risk, high-reward name in this cybersecurity bunch.As of this writing, Luke Lango was long HACK, PANW, FTNT, OKTA, PFPT and SPLK. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Hot Stocks Leading the Market's Blitz Higher * 7 Strong Buy Stocks With Over 20% Upside * 5 Growthy Stocks Trading Below 15X Earnings The post 15 Cybersecurity Stocks to Watch as the Industry Heats Up appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- Zacks
Why Is Equifax (EFX) Up 4.6% Since Last Earnings Report?
Equifax (EFX) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock? We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues.
- Benzinga
The Pros And Cons Of Freezing Your Credit
After big data breaches like Equifax (NYSE: EFX), you might have heard the term “credit freeze” thrown around. A credit freeze allows you to take control of your financial credit report by stopping potential lenders from seeing it. Without that information, lenders will usually not allow you or anyone claiming to be you to open a line of credit.
- Zacks
FLT or EFX: Which Financial Services Firm is Better Placed?
Although a faster share price rally on a year-to-date basis leads to a rich valuation for both stocks compared with the benchmark index, Equifax (EFX) is cheaper than FLEETCOR (FLT).
- American City Business Journals
Atlanta-based franchise group reveals data breach at Moe's Southwest Grill, two other brands
Focus Brands said it detected a data breach at an unspecified number of locations of Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's.
- Simply Wall St.
Dividend Investors: Don't Be Too Quick To Buy Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX) For Its Upcoming Dividend
Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 4 days time. You can purchase shares before the 22nd of...
- InvestorPlace
Think Amazon Will Save Rite Aid Stock? Think Again.
If you're thinking of shopping for Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD) stock on its much-hyped, package pick-up collaboration with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), be prepared to buy some Tylenol or Pepto Bismol for home delivery at the same time. Let me explain.Source: Shutterstock Chipotle (NYSE:CMG), Equifax (NYSE:EFX) or Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) -- each brand has bounced back in recent years from high profile wrongdoings. The thing is, scandals can be sorted out and time helps in healing those past wounds. Too bad, that's not the problem with RAD stock.Rite Aid's problem is the same one many once-great brick-and-mortar shops are going through or have bowed to already. More and more buying is transacted online with those goods being dropped straight to your doorstep. And chances are, Amazon has been a key player in this bearish market dynamic, even for a storefront like RAD stock.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsSure, Amazon has backed away from entering the prescription business. But Amazon already sells a line of over-the-counter private-label medicines. Its Basic Care line offers a range of products from ibuprofen to allergy medicine. Amazon is also pursuing the medical community to purchase common and disposable items from rubber gloves, syringes to gauze from its Amazon Business site. And that's certainly at the expense of RAD stock.RAD stock has another big problem too. Rite Aid isn't a store known to attract foot traffic from the all-important millennial demographic. Sorry … Rite Aid just isn't "cool." And sadly, even the population Rite Aid has captured is getting older and less likely to be hopping in the car or walking to Rite Aid to pick up stockings, Certs and a prescription. * 10 Real Estate Investments to Ride Out the Current Storm But before I pronounce RAD stock as being D.O.A., could Amazon be both a villain and savior for RAD stock? There are investors who believe the new Amazon Counter pick-up option for Amazon purchases at Rite Aid stores could be a prescription for success.The bull case rests on the hypothesis that influential millennials flush with cash, who otherwise wouldn't be caught stepping foot in a Rite Aid store, will now be waiting in line by the dozens and invariably be making additional impulse purchases from Rite Aid before exiting. RAD Stock Monthly ChartOn the surface, the deal sounds kind of interesting. But don't hold your breath on RAD stock. Most Amazon packages aren't going to be dropped off at Rite Aid. And for those few packages that aren't received at one's doorstep, office or neighbor's house, consumers have a choice of where they want to pick the delivery up from. And guess what? That's probably bad news for Rite Aid's service.The fact is for those few boxes, packages and envelopes which don't go to the doorstep, there's already options for picking up merchandise. Consumers have a choice of Amazon Lockers at various convenience stores and even standalone Amazon storefronts to pick up items from. Further, with the partnership just underway and starting with 100 Rite Aid stores but promising 1,500 by year end, it's still going to be a tough proposition to get Millennials, let alone anyone else that normally wouldn't be in a Rite Aid already, into a Rite Aid store and make an actual difference in RAD stock's bottom line. * 7 Stocks the Insiders Are Buying on Sale Think about this as well, what's to stop Amazon from opening up its Counter distribution network into other retailers and hindering Rite Aid's chances even more? And finally, let's be real … given today's existing and more discreet options where communication is minimized and hassle free from checkout lines, the choices for millennials to pick up packages were already in place before Rite Aid's Amazon Counter.So, before you consider investing in Rite Aid stock, take a look at the stock chart and note that while the ginormous bottoming pattern certainly holds the allure of something special, you need to be smart. Think long and hard about today's message, the obvious, existing problems the company faces and RAD's nearly 30% in short interest as fair warning.Disclosure: Investment accounts under Christopher Tyler's management do not currently own positions in any securities mentioned in this article. The information offered is based upon Christopher Tyler's observations and strictly intended for educational purposes only; the use of which is the responsibility of the individual. For additional options-based strategies, related musings or to ask a question, you can find and follow Chris on Twitter @Options_CAT and StockTwits. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Real Estate Investments to Ride Out the Current Storm * 7 Marijuana Penny Stocks to Consider for Those Who Can Handle Risk * 7 Safe Dividend Stocks for Investors to Buy Right Now The post Think Amazon Will Save Rite Aid Stock? Think Again. appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- PR Newswire
Equifax Data-Driven Marketing Digital Customer Insights Now Available Through the Eyeota Audience Marketplace
Relevant, estimated data on household economics helps marketers to target the best online audiences at scale ATLANTA , Aug. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax Data-driven Marketing, the marketing data, analytics ...
- Moody's
Equifax Inc. -- Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Equifax Inc.
Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Equifax Inc. New York, August 12, 2019 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Equifax Inc. and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers.
- Motley Fool
Is the Capital One Data Breach a Game-Changer for Investors?
Let’s take a step back and put it into perspective.
- PR Newswire
Equifax Board of Directors declares quarterly dividend
ATLANTA , Aug. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) today announced that the Equifax Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share, payable on September 13, 2019 , to ...
- Morningstar
6 Ways to Protect Yourself From a Data Breach
The recent data breach at Capital One didn't follow the plotline of a usual cybercrime. The data breach wasn't small--it affected 100 million customers. Very sensitive personal financial information was stolen from these customers, including Social Security numbers, linked bank account information, credit scores, credit limits, balances, payment history, and transaction history.
- Bloomberg
Cybersecurity Pros Name Their Price as Hacker Attacks Swell
(Bloomberg) -- It took a $650,000 salary for Matt Comyns to entice a seasoned cybersecurity expert to join one of America’s largest companies as chief information security officer in 2012. At the time, it was among the most lucrative offers out there.This year, the company had to pay $2.5 million to fill the same role.“It’s a full-on war for cyber talent,” said Comyns, a managing partner at executive search firm Caldwell Partners who specializes in information security. “CEOs know that, so they play hardball. Everyone’s throwing money at this.”The threat of digital breaches -- and the fines, lawsuits and occasional executive resignations that sometimes follow -- has left companies scrambling to scoop up scarce security experts. The growing compensation packages and broadened responsibilities are a dramatic shift for a group of workers who once confined to obscure IT departments, little more than an afterthought to senior management.Unfilled JobsIn the 12 months ended August 2018, there were more than 300,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S., according to CyberSeek, a project supported by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education. Globally, the shortage is estimated to exceed 1 million in coming years, studies have shown.That’s coincided with increased frequency and sophistication of digital attacks, which range from disruption of computer systems to extortion and theft of sensitive personal information.In April, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon told shareholders that cybersecurity “may very well be the biggest threat to the U.S. financial system.” His counterpart at Bank of America Corp., Brian Moynihan, said previously that the lender’s cybersecurity unit operates with an unlimited budget.Just last week, Capital One Financial Corp. disclosed that personal data of about 100 million customers had been illegally accessed by a Seattle woman, possibly one of the largest breaches affecting a U.S. bank. The firm’s shares have fallen 8.9% since the intrusion was revealed.Equifax SettlementIn late July, credit reporting firm Equifax Inc. agreed to pay up to $700 million to settle federal and state investigations into a 2017 hack that compromised sensitive information of more than 140 million people and led to the resignation of the firm’s long-time CEO Rick Smith.High-profile breaches aside, myriad U.S. companies and employees are the subject of hacker attacks each day. Industry insiders joke that there are two types of companies: Those that have been hacked, and those that haven’t yet discovered that they’ve been hacked.“If you’re not careful, you can get numb to it,” said Andrew Howard, who leads the enterprise security division of Kudelski Group.Equifax paid Jamil Farshchi $3.89 million in 2018 to take the job as chief information security officer. He joined from Home Depot, which had hired him in the wake of a 2014 breach that exposed credit-card information belonging to 56 million customers.Directly InvolvedWhile most U.S. firms don’t disclose compensation for top information-security executives, Comyns said big tech firms on the West Coast can pay as much as $6.5 million, most of it in stock. In some cases, direct reports can make around $1 million -- more than their bosses typically would have made just a few years ago.Aware of the challenges of replacing a security chief, many companies take unprecedented measures to keep them, with CEOs often getting involved in the negotiations. In one recent instance, Comyns said, a CISO who considered leaving was told to go home and write down 10 things that would change his decision. The list included a 50% increase in salary and bonus, more than doubling his long-term incentive award, a promotion and a new office. The CEO concurred, and the person stayed.Hefty raises can pale in comparison with the potential downside. The average cost of a breach for U.S. companies was about $8 million, according to a study from IBM Corp. and the Ponemon Institute. Equifax shows that the cost can be many multiples of that. This week, Marriott International Inc. reported they took a $126 million charge related to a 2018 breach of one of its reservations databases.Bigger PaychecksInsurance can cover financial expenses, but won’t help restore lost customer trust and a tarnished reputation, said James Lam, a director at E*Trade Financial Corp. who also advises companies on risk management, including cybersecurity.CEOs may be inclined to spend more because their own jobs and reputations could be on the line. Gregg Steinhafel resigned as CEO of Target Corp. in 2014 after a hacker attack that compromised 40 million credit card accounts rocked the already-struggling retailer.That episode “got everyone’s attention,” said Kudelski Group’s Howard, and led to scores of companies appointing people with cybersecurity expertise to their boards.It’s also pushed many companies to expand the responsibilities of information security staff, ensuring that their work spans the entire organization. To Comyns, that means their pay will continue to increase.“CEOs don’t know what it’s worth until it’s walking out the door,” Comyns said. “Then they stand in the door and say, ‘You’re not going anywhere.’”(Updates with Marriott breach in 15th paragraph.)To contact the reporter on this story: Anders Melin in New York at amelin3@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Pierre Paulden at ppaulden@bloomberg.net, Steven CrabillFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
- InvestorPlace
4 Cybersecurity Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Gains
Another day, another hack … another reason to buy cybersecurity stocks.Source: Shutterstock I've been saying that for a few years now, and over the past three years, cybersecurity stocks have indeed roared higher. The First Trust Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:CIBR) is up over 65% over the past three years. The S&P 500 is up just 38% over that same stretch.Why the huge out-performance in cybersecurity stocks? Because -- drawing back to the opening statement -- data hacks have simply kept happening … all the time … everywhere.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsIn 2016, personal and financial information on hundreds of millions of accounts were compromised thanks to data breaches at Adult Friend Finder, Yahoo and Uber (NYSE:UBER). In 2017, it was Equifax (NYSE:EFX) and Verizon (NASDAQ:VZ) that were hit hard by data breaches which similarly exposed information on hundreds of millions of accounts. Marriott (NASDAQ:MAR), Twitter (NYSE:TWTR), Under Armour (NYSE:UAA) and Chegg (NASDAQ:CHGG) were big hack victims in 2018. In 2019, the headline hack so far has been the Capital One (NYSE:COF) data breach, which exposed info on more than 100 million Capital One customers.As these hacks have kept happening, enterprises have increasingly doubled down on cybersecurity solutions, spending an arm and a leg on cybersecurity to make sure they protect customer info and data, which, for what it's worth, is an increasingly valuable asset in today's data economy.As such, the saying still rings true today. Another day, another hack, another reason to buy cybersecurity stocks. So long as this saying remains true, cybersecurity companies will stay in rally mode. * 10 Stocks to Buy on the Trade War Dip With that in mind, let's take a look at four cybersecurity stocks to buy to play this secular growth trend. Palo Alto Networks (PANW)Source: Shutterstock At the top of this list of cybersecurity stocks to buy, we have global cybersecurity leader, Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW).The saying "another day, another hack, another reason to buy cybersecurity stocks" could easily be substituted for the saying "another day, another hack, another reason to buy PANW stock".Palo Alto Networks is that big, that dominant, and that good.This company has been the leader of the cybersecurity industry for a long time. It has a long track record of 20%-plus revenue growth, and actually grew revenues at a 40% compounded annual growth rate between 2014 and 2018. It has an equally long and robust track record of customer growth, going from 4,000 customers at the end of 2011, to 54,000 customers by the end of 2018.At the same time, the business model is highly attractive. It's a software business, so gross margins are sky high. Above 75% to be exact. The opex rate has dropped consistently with scale, and operating margins have climbed from 11% in 2014, to above 20% last year. Further, the business generates a lot of cash because capex is so low, with 40%-plus free cash flow margins.Going forward, Palo Alto Network reasonably projects as a 15%-plus revenue grower with favorable margin drivers. That should drive somewhere between 20% and 25% profit growth over the next few years, which puts 2025 earnings-per-share somewhere around $16. Based on a software average multiple of 25-times forward earnings, that implies a long-term price target for PANW stock of $400, substantially higher than today's price tag.All in all, then, PANW stock looks like a solid long-term investment at current levels. Okta (OKTA)Next up, we have hyper-growth cybersecurity company Okta (NASDAQ:OKTA), whose unique approach to the cybersecurity problem has gained tremendous traction over the past few years.Okta has developed what it calls the Identity Cloud, which is essentially just a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that puts individual identity at the core of the solution. In so doing, Okta's solutions enable individuals in enterprises to seamlessly and securely adopt any new software, since the security is based on the individual identity, which doesn't change from app to app.This unique approach to cybersecurity has gained tremendous traction recently. Okta has consequently posted 50%-plus revenue growth rates in each of the past several quarters, alongside 30%-plus customer growth. Much like Palo Alto Networks, Okta also employs a highly attractive software business model which runs at 70%-plus gross margins. Revenue scale has also sparked continued and significant operating leverage.All in all, Okta has all the right ingredients for huge profit growth over the next few years as sustained big revenue growth drives significant operating leverage on top of huge gross margins, creating a visible pathway toward big operating margins on big revenues one day.From this perspective, I think this company could easily be a $5 billion-plus revenue business one day, with operating margins of 30% or higher. That combination could realistically output around $10 in EPS. Based on a 25 forward multiple, that equates to a long-term price target of $250. * 7 Stocks the Insiders Are Buying on Sale To be sure, it will take a while for Okta to get there. But, the long-term upside here is nonetheless compelling. Proofpoint (PFPT)Another cybersecurity name to buy for the long haul is Proofpoint (NASDAQ:PFPT).The narrative at Proofpoint is very healthy. Proofpoint is the leader in email security. Email is the No. 1 channel through which personal hacks happen. Yet, email security spend accounts for a very small piece of the total IT security spend. This disconnect implies secular growth potential in email security spend. Most of that spend will find its way into Proofpoint. As such, Proofpoint projects as a big revenue growth company for as long as cyber and email security tailwinds remain vigorous.The numbers here corroborate the healthy growth narrative. Proofpoint has grown SaaS revenues at a 35% compounded annual growth rate from 2012 to 2019 (projected). At the time of the company's IPO in 2012, Proofpoint had just 2,400 customers, only 2% of whom subscribed to three or more products. Today, the company has 6,100 customers (nearly triple), about half of whom subscribe to three or more products. Thus, Proofpoint has shown an impressive ability to both expand its market and cross-sell its current customers.On top of all this, Proofpoint -- like many of its cybersecurity peers -- operates at sky high 75%-plus gross margins, and has a rapidly retreating opex rate that is falling steadily with increasing scale.These dynamics will persist given secular tailwinds. As such, you're looking at a ~20% revenue growth company over the next several years, with considerable margin drivers. That should produce around 25-30% profit growth, which means EPS could get to around $7 by 2025. Based on a software average 25-times forward multiple, that equates to a 2024 price target of $175, which represents substantial upside from toady's levels. Splunk (SPLK)Source: Web Summit Via FlickrLast, but not least, on this list of cybersecurity stocks to buy is Splunk (NASDAQ:SPLK).Unlike the other companies on this list, Splunk is not inherently a cybersecurity company. Splunk is a data company first. Specifically, Splunk specializes in taking machine data, and turning that data into actionable insights for enterprises. This is a huge and growing business. Data is only becoming more abundant, more important, and more useful. Splunk is enabling companies to glean the most out of all this data, and in so doing, is providing a very necessary and valuable service in today's data economy.The volume of data globally will only continue to grow over the next several years. The usefulness of that data will also only continue to grow. As such, companies will continue to spend big on services like Splunk to produce valuable insights from that data.On the cybersecurity front, Splunk is relatively new to the cybersecurity game. But, the plunge into the market makes sense. Splunk has all this data, which it can easily leverage to produce data-driven cybersecurity solutions. That's exactly what it is doing. And with great success. Splunk continues to add several customers to its security business, with the most recent notable add being Slack (NYSE:WORK).Given its multi-faceted secular growth tailwinds, Splunk has been a 25%-plus revenue growth company for the past several years. Those same tailwinds will remain in play for the foreseeable future. As such, this company reasonably projects as a 20% sales grower over the next few years. Gross margins are high (above 80%), and operating margins will continue to move meaningfully higher as big revenue growth persists. * 10 Cyclical Stocks to Buy (or Sell) Now Net net, Splunk projects as 25-30% profit grower over the next few years. That profit growth trajectory makes $8 in EPS seem doable by 2025. Based on a 25-forward multiple, that implies a 2024 price target of $200.As of this writing, Luke Lango was long UBER, CHGG, PANW, OKTA and SPLK. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Cyclical Stocks to Buy (or Sell) Now * 7 Biotech ETFs That Should Remain Healthy * 7 of the Hottest AI Stocks to Buy Now The post 4 Cybersecurity Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Gains appeared first on InvestorPlace.
