NetScout Systems Past Earnings Performance
Past criteria checks 3/6
NetScout Systems's earnings have been declining at an average annual rate of -27.8%, while the Communications industry saw earnings growing at 2.2% annually. Revenues have been declining at an average rate of 0.7% per year. NetScout Systems's return on equity is 5.8%, and it has net margins of 11.1%.
Key information
-27.79%
Earnings growth rate
-27.76%
EPS growth rate
| Communications Industry Growth | 31.77% |
| Revenue growth rate | -0.67% |
| Return on equity | 5.79% |
| Net Margin | 11.12% |
| Last Earnings Update | 31 Mar 2026 |
Recent past performance updates
Recent updates
Seeking Alpha • 23h
NetScout: Becoming Positive On Q4 Surprise And Favorable FY27 Prospects (Upgrade)
Summary I revise my rating for NetScout Systems from 'Hold' to 'Buy' following my evaluation of its results and outlook. The company's 4QFY2026 bottom-line represented a 14.3% beat, thanks to strong demand for AI-related threat solutions and the stability of its government client base's expenditures. NTCT is guiding for a 10% EPS growth in FY27, supported by its latest M&A and new AI product rollouts. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update • May 05
NTCT: Future Returns Will Rely On AI Data Monetization And Capital Discipline
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for NetScout Systems from $31.09 to $33.71, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, and a lower future P/E multiple as key drivers of the new price target. What's in the News NetScout extended its Omnis AI Insights solution to communications service providers to help turn raw network data into AI ready smart data for customer experience and network operations, including 5G, RAN, Core, MEC, and Transport domains (Key Developments).
Narrative Update • Apr 04
NTCT: Ongoing AI And Observability Expansion Will Likely Limit Share Price Upside
Analysts have kept their $27.27 price target on NetScout Systems broadly steady, citing relatively unchanged assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E in their updated models. What's in the News NetScout extended its Omnis AI Insights solution to communications service providers to turn raw network data into AI ready smart data for customer experience, predictive maintenance, and network security use cases, with real time curated data across 5G, RAN, Core, MEC, and Transport.Narrative Update • Mar 21
NTCT: Stable Assumptions Will Limit Upside Despite Ongoing Product Expansion
Analysts have kept their $27.27 price target for NetScout Systems unchanged, citing relatively stable assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E as the basis for maintaining their view. What's in the News NetScout extended its Omnis AI Insights solution to communications service providers to help turn raw network data into AI ready inputs for customer experience, predictive maintenance, and network security use cases (Product related announcement).Narrative Update • Mar 06
NTCT: Slower Revenue Outlook Will Outweigh Margin Gains And Share Repurchases
Analysts kept their price target for NetScout Systems steady at $27.27, citing only small tweaks to assumptions such as a slightly higher discount rate, more moderate expectations for revenue growth, a modestly higher profit margin, and a similar forward P/E outlook. What's in the News NetScout extended its Omnis AI Insights solution to communications service providers, aiming to turn raw network data into AI ready inputs for customer experience, predictive maintenance, and security use cases, with features such as a unified network view and curated, real time smart data streams (Product related announcement).
Narrative Update • Feb 20
NTCT: Expanded AI Network Capabilities And Raised Outlook Will Support Bullish Repricing
Analysts have maintained their $35.00 price target for NetScout Systems, citing only modest adjustments in their underlying assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E that they believe largely offset one another. What's in the News NetScout extended its Omnis AI Insights solution to communications service providers, aiming to turn raw network data into AI ready data for customer experience, predictive maintenance, and network security use cases, including 5G and other complex network domains (Product related announcement).Narrative Update • Feb 06
NTCT: Steady Outlook Will Balance Modest Guidance Shift And Margin Caution
Analysts have kept their fair value estimate for NetScout Systems steady at US$27.27, citing offsetting adjustments to revenue growth, profit margin expectations, and the future P/E multiple that together leave their overall price target unchanged. What's in the News Revised fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to a range of US$835 million to US$870 million, with midpoint commentary indicating implied year over year growth of 3.6% compared with the prior range of US$830 million to US$870 million (company guidance).Narrative Update • Jan 23
NTCT: Raised Outlook And Ongoing Buybacks Will Support Bullish Repricing
Narrative Update Analysts have raised their price target on NetScout Systems to $35 from $33, reflecting updated views on the company’s outlook following the recent fiscal Q2 report. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts see the new US$35 price target as a sign that the latest fiscal Q2 report supports a higher valuation range for NetScout Systems than previously assumed.Narrative Update • Jan 09
NTCT: Higher Margin Outlook And Buyback Activity Will Support Bullish Repricing
Analysts have lifted their price target on NetScout Systems to US$35 from US$33, pointing to updated assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E after the latest fiscal Q2 report. Analyst Commentary Following the fiscal Q2 report, bullish analysts are signaling increased confidence in NetScout Systems by lifting their fair value assumptions, reflected in the price target move to US$35 from US$33.Narrative Update • Dec 21
NTCT: Future Profitability And New Offerings Will Balance Execution Risks
Analysts have raised their price target on NetScout Systems from $21.00 to approximately $27.27, citing the latest Street research that reflects improved profitability expectations, despite more modest revenue growth assumptions. Analyst Commentary While some on the Street have turned incrementally positive on NetScout Systems, the overall tone of recent research remains mixed, with several bearish analysts highlighting ongoing risks to the investment case.Narrative Update • Dec 06
NTCT: Future Returns Will Depend On AI And Cloud Execution
Analysts have raised their price target on NetScout Systems to $35.00 from $33.00. This reflects increased confidence following the latest fiscal Q2 report, while key valuation inputs such as fair value and growth assumptions remain largely unchanged.Narrative Update • Nov 22
NTCT: Future Performance Will Depend On AI Market Execution
NetScout Systems' analyst price target has increased from $33.00 to $35.00. This reflects analysts' confidence in the company's positioning within key growth markets and its improving profit margin outlook.Narrative Update • Nov 08
NTCT: Future Performance Will Depend On Execution Amid AI Demand Trends
Analysts have increased their price target for NetScout Systems from $33 to $35, citing the company's positive momentum following its recent fiscal Q2 report and ongoing opportunities in growing technology markets. Analyst Commentary Analysts have recently weighed in on NetScout Systems, providing insight into both positive drivers and ongoing considerations regarding the company's outlook and valuation.Narrative Update • Oct 25
Artificial Intelligence Momentum Will Drive Renewed Interest In Cybersecurity
NetScout Systems’ analyst price target has been raised from $27.09 to $28.76 per share. This reflects analysts’ increased optimism due to the company’s positioning in attractive growth markets and its potential to benefit from advancements in artificial intelligence.Narrative Update • Oct 10
Overoptimistic Cybersecurity Trends Will Exacerbate Valuation Risks
Analysts have increased NetScout Systems' price target from $25.82 to $27.09, citing improved profit margin outlook, higher projected revenue growth, and confidence in the company's positioning within emerging artificial intelligence markets. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts highlight NetScout's strategic position within the growing artificial intelligence space.Narrative Update • Aug 27
Overoptimistic Cybersecurity Trends Will Exacerbate Valuation Risks
Analysts have raised NetScout Systems’ price target from $22.22 to $25.82, citing the company’s advantageous exposure to fast-growing AI-driven markets and a recent share price pullback that presents an attractive entry point. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts cite NetScout's exposure to two attractive growth markets as a key driver for upside potential.Analysis Article • Jul 08
Risks To Shareholder Returns Are Elevated At These Prices For NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT)
With a median price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of close to 2.1x in the Communications industry in the United States, you...Analysis Article • Apr 16
Investors Will Want NetScout Systems' (NASDAQ:NTCT) Growth In ROCE To Persist
If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Ideally, a business will show two...Analysis Article • Mar 25
Is NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT) Trading At A 43% Discount?
Key Insights The projected fair value for NetScout Systems is US$38.59 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity...
New Narrative • Mar 23
Investments In AI And Partnerships With Palo Alto Networks Will Strengthen Edge Cybersecurity Solutions
Increased demand for service assurance and cybersecurity products, along with AI investments, could drive revenue growth and improve margins.Analysis Article • Mar 04
NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Could Easily Take On More Debt
David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the...Analysis Article • Feb 11
Some Shareholders Feeling Restless Over NetScout Systems, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:NTCT) P/S Ratio
When you see that almost half of the companies in the Communications industry in the United States have price-to-sales...Seeking Alpha • Feb 10
NetScout: The Numbers And Outlook Suggest A Buy
Summary NetScout Systems, Inc. is undervalued despite its strong positioning in network performance, cybersecurity, and cloud services. The company's revenue diversification, particularly in high-margin cybersecurity and cloud services, positions it well for future growth despite telecom sector headwinds. NetScout's financial health is robust, with impressive product revenue growth, improving profit margins, and a solid foundation for future cash flow from deferred revenue. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Dec 19
An Intrinsic Calculation For NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT) Suggests It's 48% Undervalued
Key Insights The projected fair value for NetScout Systems is US$41.22 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity...Analysis Article • Nov 21
Does NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Have A Healthy Balance Sheet?
The external fund manager backed by Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger, Li Lu, makes no bones about it when he says...Analysis Article • Sep 09
NetScout Systems, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:NTCT) Shareholders Might Be Looking For Exit
When you see that almost half of the companies in the Communications industry in the United States have price-to-sales...Analysis Article • Aug 14
Investors Will Want NetScout Systems' (NASDAQ:NTCT) Growth In ROCE To Persist
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an...Seeking Alpha • Jul 26
NetScout: Mixed Read Throughs From Earnings Beat And Guidance Miss
Summary NetScout is rated as a Hold, taking into account its Q1 FY 2025 earnings beat and its below-expected top-line guidance for Q2 and the full year. NTCT's first quarter EPS was better than what the market had anticipated, thanks to successful cost control. But the company's revenue outlook for both the second quarter and FY 2025 was a disappointment, as its service assurance business is expected to earn less revenue from its telecommunications services provider clients. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Jul 17
NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Has A Pretty Healthy Balance Sheet
Some say volatility, rather than debt, is the best way to think about risk as an investor, but Warren Buffett famously...Analysis Article • May 08
NetScout Systems, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:NTCT) Price Is Out Of Tune With Revenues
NetScout Systems, Inc.'s ( NASDAQ:NTCT ) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 1.7x may not look like an appealing...Analysis Article • Apr 08
NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Seems To Use Debt Quite Sensibly
Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it seems the smart money knows that...Analysis Article • Mar 12
NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT) Shares Could Be 50% Below Their Intrinsic Value Estimate
Key Insights NetScout Systems' estimated fair value is US$47.21 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity NetScout...Seeking Alpha • Feb 26
NetScout Systems: Long-Term Issues Remain A Concern
Summary Sales are declining again in fiscal 2024 as customers are reducing their spending. The company remains profitable as cash from operations is significantly higher than capital expenditures and interest expenses are reaching zero. The balance sheet is very strong thanks to very high cash and short-term investments and negative net debt. Long-term issues remain a concern as increasing competition has impacted revenues since fiscal 2018. While I don't think it's a bad idea to invest in NetScout to achieve potential capital returns, I believe that there are currently much better options in the market regarding companies with better long-term prospects. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Jan 29
NetScout Systems, Inc. Just Beat Revenue Estimates By 10%
Investors in NetScout Systems, Inc. ( NASDAQ:NTCT ) had a good week, as its shares rose 3.5% to close at US$22.48...Analysis Article • Jan 26
NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Might Have The Makings Of A Multi-Bagger
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. One common approach is to try and...Analysis Article • Dec 07
NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT) Shares Could Be 44% Below Their Intrinsic Value Estimate
Key Insights NetScout Systems' estimated fair value is US$37.47 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity NetScout...Analysis Article • Nov 08
NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Seems To Use Debt Rather Sparingly
Legendary fund manager Li Lu (who Charlie Munger backed) once said, 'The biggest investment risk is not the volatility...Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
How NetScout Systems makes and spends money. Based on latest reported earnings, on an LTM basis.
Earnings and Revenue History
| Date | Revenue | Earnings | G+A Expenses | R&D Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 26 | 859 | 96 | 368 | 159 |
| 31 Dec 25 | 861 | 96 | 369 | 156 |
| 30 Sep 25 | 863 | 90 | 373 | 155 |
| 30 Jun 25 | 835 | 73 | 366 | 150 |
| 31 Mar 25 | 823 | -367 | 365 | 153 |
| 31 Dec 24 | 821 | -418 | 362 | 160 |
| 30 Sep 24 | 787 | -599 | 361 | 159 |
| 30 Jun 24 | 793 | -587 | 360 | 158 |
| 31 Mar 24 | 829 | -148 | 371 | 161 |
| 31 Dec 23 | 834 | -119 | 378 | 164 |
| 30 Sep 23 | 886 | 67 | 378 | 169 |
| 30 Jun 23 | 917 | 63 | 386 | 178 |
| 31 Mar 23 | 915 | 60 | 380 | 176 |
| 31 Dec 22 | 898 | 54 | 379 | 172 |
| 30 Sep 22 | 890 | 50 | 376 | 171 |
| 30 Jun 22 | 874 | 40 | 373 | 172 |
| 31 Mar 22 | 856 | 36 | 361 | 171 |
| 31 Dec 21 | 878 | 56 | 348 | 172 |
| 30 Sep 21 | 844 | 37 | 341 | 175 |
| 30 Jun 21 | 838 | 25 | 333 | 177 |
| 31 Mar 21 | 831 | 19 | 329 | 179 |
| 31 Dec 20 | 847 | 15 | 338 | 182 |
| 30 Sep 20 | 879 | 23 | 348 | 186 |
| 30 Jun 20 | 890 | 9 | 365 | 190 |
| 31 Mar 20 | 892 | -3 | 377 | 188 |
| 31 Dec 19 | 897 | 9 | 374 | 185 |
| 30 Sep 19 | 883 | -31 | 379 | 186 |
| 30 Jun 19 | 891 | -40 | 377 | 192 |
| 31 Mar 19 | 910 | -73 | 385 | 204 |
| 31 Dec 18 | 910 | -76 | 398 | 215 |
| 30 Sep 18 | 933 | 18 | 400 | 209 |
| 30 Jun 18 | 966 | 42 | 411 | 211 |
| 31 Mar 18 | 987 | 80 | 422 | 215 |
| 31 Dec 17 | 1,070 | 85 | 437 | 215 |
| 30 Sep 17 | 1,104 | 17 | 448 | 228 |
| 30 Jun 17 | 1,119 | 18 | 450 | 231 |
| 31 Mar 17 | 1,162 | 33 | 447 | 233 |
| 31 Dec 16 | 1,129 | 7 | 452 | 239 |
| 30 Sep 16 | 1,135 | -38 | 463 | 246 |
| 30 Jun 16 | 1,124 | -45 | 475 | 251 |
| 31 Mar 16 | 955 | -28 | 411 | 209 |
| 31 Dec 15 | 789 | -4 | 337 | 167 |
| 30 Sep 15 | 604 | 38 | 265 | 121 |
| 30 Jun 15 | 447 | 57 | 186 | 74 |
Quality Earnings: NTCT has high quality earnings.
Growing Profit Margin: NTCT became profitable in the past.
Free Cash Flow vs Earnings Analysis
Past Earnings Growth Analysis
Earnings Trend: NTCT has become profitable over the past 5 years, growing earnings by -27.8% per year.
Accelerating Growth: NTCT has become profitable in the last year, making the earnings growth rate difficult to compare to its 5-year average.
Earnings vs Industry: NTCT has become profitable in the last year, making it difficult to compare its past year earnings growth to the Communications industry (20.5%).
Return on Equity
High ROE: NTCT's Return on Equity (5.8%) is considered low.
Return on Assets
Return on Capital Employed
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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/07 10:32 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/07 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
NetScout Systems, Inc. is covered by 15 analysts. 3 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Erik Suppiger | B. Riley Securities, Inc. |
| Steven Frankel | Colliers Securities |
| Mark Kelleher | Colliers Securities |