SentinelOne Gears Up to Post Q1 Earnings: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - SentinelOne is positioned for stable growth in fiscal 2026, with expected revenue of $228 million for the first quarter, reflecting a 22% year-over-year increase, despite some near-term challenges related to the retirement of a legacy product [5][12][19]. Financial Performance - Fiscal 2025 ended strongly for SentinelOne, with Q4 revenue rising 29% year-over-year to$ 225.5 million, surpassing expectations [1][2]. - The company achieved a net new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of $60 million, bringing total ARR to$ 920 million, a 27% increase year-over-year [2]. - Gross margin for Q4 was robust, and operating margin exceeded guidance by over 400 basis points due to effective cost management [2][13]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 fiscal 2026 EPS remains at 2 cents per share, with revenue expectations set at $228 million, indicating a 22.4% year-over-year growth [5][12]. - For fiscal 2026, revenue growth is projected at 22.7%, with a significant 280% year-over-year improvement in the bottom line anticipated [6][7]. Market Position and Strategy - SentinelOne is leveraging AI-driven solutions, with over 300 deals signed in the last quarter, indicating strong market traction [11][20]. - More than 40% of large enterprise customers are now utilizing three or more modules of the Singularity platform, showcasing effective cross-selling and customer engagement [11][20]. Valuation and Stock Performance - The company's stock has underperformed compared to industry peers, with a 2.8% decline over the past three months, while the broader industry saw an 8.3% increase [14][15]. - Currently, SentinelOne trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 6.04X, slightly above the sector average of 6.12X, but below its three-year average [18]. Long-term Outlook - Despite short-term headwinds, the long-term investment case for SentinelOne remains strong, driven by sustained platform adoption, AI differentiation, and improving margins [21][22]. - The company is on track to exceed$ 1 billion in revenues and ARR this fiscal year, supported by innovation and operational discipline [21][22].