Palo Alto Networks Stock Dives 5% Amid $25B CyberArk Acquisition Concerns
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) shares tumbled over 5% Thursday as investors balked at its $25 billion cash-and-stock purchase of identity security specialist CyberArk. The decline starkly outpaced the broader market's 0.4% slip, reflecting mounting skepticism about deal synergies and valuation.
Analysts swiftly downgraded the stock, with KeyBanc's Eric Heath leading criticism. Concerns center on integration challenges and potential customer preference for best-of-breed solutions over bundled offerings. The acquisition, approved by both boards, won't close until late 2026 - leaving ample time for scrutiny.