Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) EVP Lee Klarich Sells 62,904 Shares

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) EVP Lee Klarich sold 62,904 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $258.65, for a total value of $16,270,119.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 235,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $61,037,002.95. The trade was a 21.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Palo Alto Networks Stock Performance

Shares of PANW stock opened at $248.47 on Thursday. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. has a 52-week low of $139.57 and a 52-week high of $261.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $202.75 billion, a PE ratio of 137.28, a PEG ratio of 9.26 and a beta of 0.77. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $188.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $182.95.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on PANW shares. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $220.00 price target (up from $200.00) on shares of Palo Alto Networks in a research note on Monday, May 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $225.00 to $200.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $209.00 price target on shares of Palo Alto Networks and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Loop Capital decreased their price target on shares of Palo Alto Networks from $190.00 to $160.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Palo Alto Networks in a research note on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-five have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Palo Alto Networks currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $234.28.

More Palo Alto Networks News

Here are the key news stories impacting Palo Alto Networks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Benchmark raised its price target on Palo Alto Networks to $270 from $200 and kept a Buy rating, reinforcing the view that the stock still has meaningful upside. Benchmark price target increase
• Positive Sentiment: Wedbush also lifted its target sharply, to $300 from $225, while reiterating an Outperform rating, signaling continued confidence in Palo Alto Networks’ growth outlook. Wedbush price target increase
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reiterated a Buy rating with a $285 target, and earlier coverage from other firms also pointed to higher targets, adding to the bullish analyst momentum around PANW. Wells Fargo reiterates Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Media coverage continues to frame Palo Alto Networks as a potential beneficiary of AI-driven cybersecurity demand, which supports the long-term investment story but is not an immediate catalyst. AI security supercycle article
• Negative Sentiment: Shares have also faced some sector-wide selling after weak guidance from a peer, Zscaler, which dragged on sentiment across cybersecurity stocks. Cybersecurity gloom article
• Negative Sentiment: EVP Lee Klarich sold 62,904 shares at an average price of $258.65, a transaction investors may view cautiously, although the executive still retains a sizable stake. Insider sale filing

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Palo Alto Networks

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PANW. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Palo Alto Networks in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Knuff & Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of Palo Alto Networks in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Steph & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Palo Alto Networks by 88.2% in the 4th quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 143 shares of the network technology company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Sittner & Nelson LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Palo Alto Networks by 73.8% in the 4th quarter. Sittner & Nelson LLC now owns 146 shares of the network technology company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Finally, Winch Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Palo Alto Networks by 96.1% in the 3rd quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 149 shares of the network technology company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. 79.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) is a cybersecurity company founded in 2005 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The firm develops a broad suite of security products and services designed to prevent successful cyberattacks and protect enterprise networks, clouds, and endpoints. Built around a platform strategy, its offerings target threat prevention, detection, response and governance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

The company’s product portfolio includes next‑generation firewalls as a core on‑premises capability, alongside cloud‑delivered security services and software for securing public and private clouds.