Avast antivirus-owner Gen Digital forecasts upbeat 2026 on strong demand

Summary

Gen Digital, the company behind popular antivirus software like Avast, Avira, and Norton, has projected a strong performance for 2026, expecting annual revenue and profit to exceed analyst estimates due to heightened demand for cybersecurity tools. Following this announcement, shares surged by about 4%. The increasing frequency of cyberattacks and online scams has driven organisations to strengthen their cybersecurity measures, even amid economic uncertainties that may constrain budgets.

Source: Daily Mail

Key Points

  • Gen Digital expects 2026 revenue between $4.70 billion and $4.80 billion, surpassing the analyst average of $4.13 billion.
  • Adjusted per-share profit forecasts are between $2.46 to $2.54, beating analysts’ estimate of $2.43.
  • The firm reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.01 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $997 million.
  • Increased enterprise spending on cybersecurity is largely driven by rising cyber threats.
  • Strong demand remains for advanced security solutions, partly due to AI-related hacking techniques.

Why should I read this?

If you’re interested in cybersecurity trends or investing in tech, this article is a must-read! Gen Digital’s projections are a sign of how critical cybersecurity is becoming in the current digital landscape. With hackers becoming more sophisticated, knowing where companies like Gen Digital are headed could give you a competitive edge in understanding market dynamics.