Vasco Data Security International (VDSI) early Tuesday spooked investors with a grain of caution that its revenue growth might slow down in the second half of 2015, but that did little to slow security software stocks’ roll of late. Vasco, in fact, posted Q4 earnings and revenue that beat analyst estimates, and its revenue guidance for this year was above Wall Street views — but just slightly. Frederick Ziegel, an analyst for Topeka Capital
With major hacking attacks on Sony (SNE) and other corporations top of mind lately, it’s little wonder that security software stocks are doing well. IBD’s Computer Software-Security group ranks No. 1 out of 197 industry groups, as it also did four weeks ago. IBD ranks industry groups based on six-month stock price performance. Besides Sony, other companies that hackers have targeted recently include Staples (SPLS), Target (TGT), Home Depot (HD) and JP Morgan Chase (JPM). Here are the top four computer security software stocks based on IBD’s SmartSelect Composite Ratings. Vasco Data Security International. (VDSI) has seen its shares rise nearly 280% since the start of the year. In afternoon trading, Vasco was up 1%, above 29, on the Stock Market Today. The company, based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., is No. 1 in providing two-factor authentication and electronic signature software to financial institutions. Qualys (QLYS) shares have risen 72% this
Vasco Data Security (VDSI) early Tuesday reported a double-digit jump in Q3 revenue and earnings and increased its guidance for the year, sending its stock to its highest levels since January 2008. The Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based company said earnings per share excluding items from continuing operations was 28 cents, up 65% from the year-earlier quarter. Revenue from continuing operations rose 34% to $52.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson