ZS

We rate Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) as Avoid with a composite score of 39.8/100 at a current price of $149.62. The stock falls in the bottom quintile of our universe across key quantitative factors, and the multi-factor weakness suggests a high probability of continued underperformance.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in stability (61th percentile) and momentum (43th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in investment (29th percentile) and quality (37th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a No Moat rating (35/100), Very High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation.

Key items to watch: balance sheet deleveraging progress; sustainability of the current growth rate; the path to profitability. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

Zscaler, Inc. holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Services sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 39.8/100 places it at rank #3566 in our full 7,333-stock universe. With a $52.4B market capitalization, Zscaler, Inc. operates at meaningful scale within the Services sector, providing competitive advantages in distribution, procurement, and customer reach.

Revenue is growing at 42%, though momentum at the 43th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 77% (+17.5pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of -5% (-8.4pp vs sector) and net margins of -1.3%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of -2%. The significant margin erosion from gross to net suggests elevated operating expenses, high interest costs, or other structural drags that warrant monitoring.

At a current price of $149.62, Zscaler, Inc. is trading at a premium to fundamental value. Our value factor score of 40/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. The premium valuation implies the market is pricing in significant future growth or quality improvements that are not yet fully reflected in current fundamentals.

The stock currently trades at EV/EBITDA of 261.6x (at a premium), P/B of 12.8x, P/S of 9.3x. We evaluate these multiples in the context of both absolute levels and sector-relative positioning to form our valuation view.

We assign a Very High uncertainty rating to Zscaler, Inc.. The stock exhibits multiple compounding risk factors: significant leverage (228% debt-to-equity), current negative profitability (net margin -1.3%), the combination of leverage (228% D/E) and thin margins (-1.3% net) amplifies downside risk. The extreme uncertainty around future cash flows makes precise valuation difficult, and the range of outcomes is exceptionally wide. Only investors with high risk tolerance and extended time horizons should consider this name.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: significant leverage (228% debt-to-equity); current negative profitability (net margin -1.3%); the combination of leverage (228% D/E) and thin margins (-1.3% net) amplifies downside risk. Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 61th percentile and quality factor at the 37th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 77% provide a buffer against cost pressures; above-average stability (61th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics; large-cap scale ($52.4B) provides resilience. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile warrants caution and disciplined position management.

We rate Zscaler, Inc.'s capital allocation as Poor. Key concerns include low returns on equity (-1.8%), elevated leverage (228% D/E), negative profitability, weak asset returns (ROA -0.5%). Exemplary capital allocators generate ROE above 20% and maintain conservative leverage — Zscaler, Inc. significantly underperforms these benchmarks, raising questions about management's ability to create shareholder value.

Investors should scrutinize management's reinvestment decisions and balance sheet trajectory before committing capital. Poor capital allocation often compounds over time: overlevered balance sheets limit strategic flexibility, while low returns on capital destroy shareholder value. We would need to see sustained improvement in profitability metrics and balance sheet discipline before considering an upgrade.

In summary, Zscaler, Inc. receives a Avoid rating with a composite score of 39.8/100 (rank #3566 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a No Moat (35/100, trend: stable), Very High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 42/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on Zscaler, Inc. at this time. The combination of limited competitive advantages, very high uncertainty, and poor capital allocation suggests unfavorable risk-reward at current levels. We recommend investors avoid new positions and existing holders consider reducing exposure.