Earnings Live: Big Winners & Losers This Week
Earnings Live: Zscaler Stock Tanks 11%, Dell Rises on AI Surge, Deere Slides – Unpacking the Last Major Earnings Day This Week
- Zscaler’s Sharp Drop: Despite beating EPS estimates, Zscaler’s shares plunged over 11% post-earnings due to cautious guidance and market jitters in cybersecurity spending.
- Dell’s AI-Powered Rally: Dell Technologies soared 6% as strong AI server orders and raised forecasts highlighted robust demand, outshining a slight revenue miss.
- Deere’s Dismal Slide: John Deere beat Q4 estimates, but the stock tumbled 5% on lowered FY2026 outlook, reflecting ongoing agricultural sector headwinds.
- Market Movers This Week: This final big earnings day capped a volatile week, with tech resilience contrasting industrial slowdowns—watch for Fed signals next.
- Investor Tip: In earnings live chaos, focus on forward guidance over past beats; diversify across AI winners and defensive plays.
Introduction: The High-Stakes Drama of Earnings Season
Imagine this: It's late November 2025, the trading floor is buzzing like a beehive on steroids, and screens everywhere are flashing red and green arrows faster than you can sip your morning coffee. Earnings season—the Wall Street equivalent of the Super Bowl—is in full swing, and this week has been a rollercoaster that would make even the bravest thrill-seeker queasy. We're talking about the last major earnings day this week, where three titans of their industries dropped bombshells that sent stocks soaring, plunging, and everything in between. Zscaler, the cloud security darling, saw its stock tank like a lead balloon after what should have been a victory lap. Dell, the hardware heavyweight, bucked the trend and rose triumphantly on the wings of AI hype. And Deere, the green machine of American farming, slid into a ditch despite a decent quarter, dragged down by gloomy forecasts for the year ahead.
Why does any of this matter to you, the everyday investor scrolling through your phone between meetings? Because earnings live isn't just corporate jargon—it's the pulse of the economy, a crystal ball into where money is flowing and where it's fleeing. In a year where AI has been the golden child, inflation whispers are turning into shouts, and global supply chains are still playing catch-up post-pandemic, these reports aren't abstract numbers. They're signals. Zscaler's tumble warns of tightening belts in tech spending; Dell's climb screams "AI isn't a bubble—it's a boom"; and Deere's dip echoes the farmer's plight amid weather woes and trade tensions. This major earnings day this week wasn't just about balance sheets; it was a snapshot of resilience, risk, and recalibration in a world that's changing faster than ever.
Let's rewind a bit. Earnings season kicks off every quarter like clockwork, but Q4 2025 (or fiscal equivalents) has felt extra charged. The S&P 500 has been flirting with record highs, up about 22% year-to-date, fueled by tech giants and that insatiable hunger for anything stamped "AI." Yet beneath the gloss, cracks are showing. Consumer spending is wobbly, with retail sales growth slowing to 2.1% in October, and manufacturing PMI dipping below 50 for the third straight month. Enter our three protagonists: Zscaler (ZS), Dell Technologies (DELL), and John Deere (DE). Each represents a slice of the pie—cybersecurity for the digital age, servers for the cloud rush, and machinery for the heartland hustle.
Zscaler, valued at over $30 billion, has been a poster child for the zero-trust security wave. Founded in 2007, it rode the shift to cloud computing like a surfer on a perfect swell. But on November 25, 2025, after the bell, it unveiled Q1 FY2026 results that beat EPS expectations at $0.96 versus $0.86 forecasted. Revenue hit $558 million, up 28% year-over-year, smashing the $540 million estimate. Sounds like champagne time, right? Wrong. Guidance for Q2 came in softer than hoped—billings growth projected at 20-22%—sparking fears of enterprise slowdowns. Investors, ever the skittish bunch, hit the sell button. Shares tanked 11.1% in after-hours trading, wiping out $3.5 billion in market cap overnight. It’s a textbook “buy the rumour, sell the news” reaction, amplified by a touch of tech sector fatigue. Over the prior four weeks, ZS had already shed 24%, trading at a forward P/E of 65—pricey even for growth stocks.
Flip the script to Dell, and you've got a tale of redemption. The Round Rock, Texas-based behemoth, once the PC kingpin that Michael Dell bootstrapped from his dorm room in 1984, has reinvented itself as an AI enabler. On the same earnings live evening, Dell dropped Q3 FY2026 numbers that were a mixed bag on paper but pure gold in spirit. Adjusted EPS clocked in at $2.59, topping the $2.48 whisper number by 4.4%. Revenue? A whisker short at $27.01 billion against $27.19 billion expected, up 11% from last year but dragged by slumping consumer PCs. But here's the kicker: AI servers. Orders hit a record $12.3 billion, shipments $5.6 billion, and backlog ballooned to $18.4 billion. Dell jacked up its full-year AI server shipment forecast to $25 billion from $20 billion, signaling that the generative AI frenzy is far from fizzling. Shares? They rose 5.8% the next day, adding $10 billion to the company's $100 billion-plus valuation. Analysts like those at Goldman Sachs are buzzing, calling it a "key inflection point" in the AI cycle.
Then there's Deere, the 188-year-old icon synonymous with John Deere tractors chugging across amber waves of grain. It's not just farming; it's construction and forestry too, a $50 billion revenue machine that's weathered depressions and dust bowls. November 26, 2025, brought Q4 FY2025 results that beat on the surface: EPS $3.93 versus $3.83 expected, net sales $12.4 billion, smashing the $9.8 billion forecast. Full-year net income? $5.027 billion, down from $7.1 billion in FY2024, but still profitable in a tough ag year marked by high input costs and bumper crops flooding markets. So why the slide? Guidance. Deere slashed its FY2026 net income outlook to $4.75-$5.25 billion, citing persistent weakness in large ag equipment demand. Shares nosedived 5.3%, erasing $8 billion in value and extending a three-month skid. It's a stark reminder that while tech dreams big, the real economy—farmers facing 15% input cost hikes and El Niño floods—grinds slower.
This earnings live frenzy capped a week where over 100 S&P 500 firms reported, with 78% beating estimates but only 62% topping revenue. Tech held up, industrials lagged, and the Nasdaq notched its best November since 2023. But as we head into December, eyes are on the Fed's rate cut odds (now 75% for a 25bps trim) and PCE inflation data. For investors, it's a lesson in nuance: Earnings aren't black-and-white. Zscaler's tank underscores cybersecurity's vulnerability to budget cuts; Dell's rise validates AI as a $1 trillion market by 2030; Deere's slide highlights ag's cyclical blues, with global grain prices down 10% YTD.
Diving deeper, let's consider the human side. At Zscaler, CEO Jay Chaudhry has built an empire on "zero trust," but even fortresses crack under economic siege. Enterprises, squeezed by 5% IT budget hikes versus 20% inflation in energy costs, are pausing deals. Dell's Jeff Clarke, in the earnings call, gushed about "hyperscalers" like AWS snapping up GPU-laden servers—Nvidia's best bud, essentially. And Deere's John May, facing dealer inventories up 25%, is pivoting to precision ag tech, like autonomous tractors that could cut labor 30%.
As we unpack this major earnings day this week, remember: Volatility is the price of admission. Whether you're a day trader riding Zscaler's waves or a long-term holder eyeing Dell's AI moat, these moves shape portfolios. Stick around as we break it down section by section—because in earnings live, knowledge is your best hedge.
To flesh this out, think about a hypothetical investor named Alex. Alex poured $10,000 into Zscaler last summer, chasing 40% YOY growth. Post-earnings tank, that's a $1,100 paper loss. Heartbreaking? Sure. But Alex checks the filings: Free cash flow up 50% to $150 million, customer count at 7,800, with 40% of Fortune 500. It's a dip, not a dive. In contrast to Sarah, Dell is faithful. Her stake jumped $580 overnight, validating her bet on AI infrastructure. And Tom, the Deere die-hard farmer from Iowa, shrugs off the slide—his local co-op's seeing demand for electric models rise 15% amid green subsidies.
Broader context: This week aligned with Black Friday data showing e-commerce up 8%, but brick-and-mortar flat—mirroring Dell's PC woes and Deere's equipment deferrals. Globally, China's stimulus talks boosted commodity plays, but U.S. ag exports fell 12% on trade spats. Earnings live like this remind us markets are interconnected webs, not isolated events.
Zscaler Stock Tanks: What Went Wrong in the Cybersecurity Giant’s Latest Report?
The Earnings Breakdown: Beats on Paper, Misses in Spirit
Zscaler’s Q1 FY2026 earnings, released on November 25, 2025, looked solid at first glance. Revenue soared to $558.2 million, a 28.3% jump from last year and above the $540.4 million Street consensus. Calculated billings hit $682 million, up 34%, while the all-important annual recurring revenue (ARR) climbed 23% to $2.2 billion. EPS? A non-GAAP $0.96, crushing the $0.86 forecast by 11.6%. Gross margins held steady at 80.4%, and operating cash flow surged 60% to $180 million. By any historical measure, this was Zscaler delivering its 12th straight revenue beat.
But markets don't grade on curves; they punish perceptions. Guidance stole the show, with Q2 revenue pegged at $565-$567 million (23-24% growth) and billings at a tepid $700-$710 million. Analysts had hoped for more zip, especially with cybersecurity threats up 25% YOY per IBM reports. CEO Jay Chaudhry cited "macro headwinds" in the call, pointing to elongated sales cycles—enterprises taking 120 days to close versus 90 last quarter. In a world where ransomware attacks cost $20 billion annually, why the hesitation? Budget scrutiny, plain and simple. IT leaders, per Gartner, are prioritizing cost over coverage, with 45% planning flat spends in 2026.
Why the Stock Tanked: Investor Panic and Broader Tech Fatigue
The immediate aftermath? Zscaler stock tanks 11.1% in extended trading, closing the week down 15% from pre-report levels. Volume spiked to 20 million shares, triple the average, as options traders piled in with puts. This wasn't isolated; it capped a 24% four-week slide, pushing ZS to $145, its lowest since June. Valuation? Still nosebleed at 18x sales, but peers like Palo Alto (PANW) trade at 12x amid similar growth.
Digging into X (formerly Twitter), sentiment soured fast. Posts lamented "overhyped zero-trust bubble bursting," with one viral thread from @StockLensNow noting, "Zscaler earnings beat, but guidance whispers weakness—tech tank incoming." Counterpoints emerged: Goldman Sachs reiterated a Buy, forecasting 15% upside to $170, citing the Red Canary acquisition adding $50 million in ARR.
Practical tips for navigating this:
- Monitor Billings Closely: It's the leading indicator—watch for >30% growth as a green light.
- Diversify Defenses: Pair ZS with value plays like CrowdStrike (CRWD) for balanced cyber exposure.
- Long-Term Lens: At 40% Global 2000 penetration, Zscaler's moat is wide; dips like this are buy zones for patient holders.
In essence, Zscaler's tank reflects not company frailty, but sector indigestion. As one analyst quipped, "It's not the earnings; it's the economy, stupid."
Historical Context and Future Outlook for Zscaler Investors
Zscaler's journey from IPO in 2018 (popping 70% on day one) to 2025's $40 billion peak has been meteoric, but volatile. Post-earnings reactions average -0.3% over two weeks historically, but this 11% drop is the worst since Q4 2023's guidance flub. Stats paint a resilient picture: Customer dollar-based net expansion at 115%, meaning users spend 15% more yearly. Yet, with U.S. enterprise IT budgets forecasted to grow just 4.5% in 2026 (IDC), headwinds persist.
Looking ahead, Q2 could rebound if the Fed cuts ease borrowing costs—Zscaler's sales are 60% U.S.-centric. External link: For deeper dives, check Zscaler's IR page here. Internal suggestion: Read our post on Top Cybersecurity Stocks for 2026 to see how ZS stacks up.
Dell Rises: AI Servers Fuel a Comeback Story in Hardware
Earnings Highlights: A Slight Miss, Massive AI Wins
Dell Technologies' Q3 FY2026 report on November 25, 2025, was the anti-Zscaler. Revenue edged up 11% to $27.01 billion, missing the $27.19 billion mark by 0.7%—blame it on consumer PC softness, down 5% as hybrid work fades. But EPS dazzled at $2.59 adjusted, a 4.4% beat on $2.48 expected. Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), home to servers, jumped 28% to $14.11 billion, with servers/networking up 37% to $10.13 billion.
The star? AI. Orders doubled quarter-over-quarter to $12.3 billion, validating CEO Michael Dell's "once-in-a-generation" rhetoric. Backlog hit $18.4 billion, and full-year shipments guidance leaped to $25 billion—125% above FY2025. Client Solutions (CSG) lagged at $12.48 billion, but commercial PCs rose 3% on enterprise refreshes.
Stock Reaction: Why Dell Rises Amid Market Skepticism
Unlike Zscaler's tank, Dell's shares rose 5.8% to $130, bucking a flat Nasdaq. Premarket gapped up 3.2%, with volume at 15 million shares. X chatter exploded: @DividendUsa hailed "revenues rise Y/Y, shares up," while @owxwivd4973987 tied it to AI peers like MU. Analysts upgraded: Barclays to Overweight, citing "AI tailwinds through 2030."
Guidance fueled the fire—Q4 revenue $31-32 billion (14% above consensus), full-year $111.2-112.2 billion. Margins expanded to 6.5%, thanks to AI's 40% gross rates.
Tips for investors:
- Bet on Backlog: $18B signals multi-quarter visibility—rare in hardware.
- Watch PC Cycle: If Windows 11 upgrades accelerate, CSG could add $2B.
- Hedge with Peers: Pair DELL with HPE for diversified AI exposure.
External: Dell's earnings transcript here. Internal: Our AI Hardware Guide.
Dell's Strategic Pivot: From PCs to AI Powerhouse
Dell's rise isn't luck; it's strategy. Post-2018 EMC buy ($67B), it bet big on data centers. Now, 50% of revenue is enterprise, with AI contributing 20% of ISG. Stats: Global AI server market to $150B by 2028 (IDC), Dell at 15% share. Challenges? Supply chain—GPU shortages cap growth at 50% next year.
Yet, as @ViktorFrux noted on X, "Dell’s outlook impresses" amid rate cut bets. For 2026, expect EPS $9.92, up 20%.
Deere Slides: Agricultural Headwinds Eclipse a Solid Quarter
Q4 Results: Beats Galore, But Guidance Bites
John Deere's November 26, 2025, release showed resilience. Q4 net sales $12.4 billion, 26% above $9.8B estimates; EPS $3.93 vs. $3.83. FY2025 income $5.027, down 29% but $1.5B better than feared. Equipment sales up 8% in large ag, driven by precision tech adoption (40% of fleet now connected).
Financial services revenue rose 12% to $1.2B on recovering sales.
The Slide Explained: Weak Outlook in a Tough Sector
Stock slid 5.3% to $380, despite beats, on FY2026 guidance: Income $4.75-5.25B, implying 10% sales drop. Reasons? Ag prices down 8%, inventories up 20%, weather hits (U.S. corn yield -5%). X: @StockLensNow called it a "slide in last major earnings day."
| Metric | Q4 FY2025 Actual | Consensus | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales | $12.4B | $9.8B | +5% |
| EPS | $3.93 | $3.83 | -22% |
| Net Income | $1.02B | N/A | -35% |
Tips:
- Focus on Tech: Autonomous vehicles could boost margins 5%.
- Global Diversify: Brazil/India growth offsets U.S. woes.
- Value Play: At 12x earnings, DE is cheap vs. 18x historical.
External: Deere PDF release here. Internal: Ag Stocks Outlook 2026.
Deere's Challenges and Opportunities in Precision Farming
Deere's slide ties to macro: Farm income down 20% since 2022 peak. But innovations like See & Spray (reduces herbicide by 77%) position it for green ag boom, $500B market by 2030. Outlook: Rebound if commodities rally 10%.
Broader Market Implications: What This Major Earnings Day Means for Investors
This earnings live wrap-up from the last major day this week highlights divergence: Tech's AI lifeline versus industrials' drag. S&P earnings growth 13.4% Q3, but guidance mixed. X trends: AI optimism (#DellRises) vs. ag gloom (#DeereSlide).
Table: Stock Reactions
| Company | Pre-Earnings Price | Post-Earnings % Change | Market Cap Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zscaler | $165 | -11.1% | -$3.5B |
| Dell | $122 | +5.8% | +$10B |
| Deere | $402 | -5.3% | -$8B |
Implications: Rotate to AI (DELL buys), trim cyclicals (DE). Week ahead: CRM, SNOW earnings.
Practical: Use the earnings calendars on Nasdaq. Internal: Weekly Earnings Recap.
Conclusion: Navigating Earnings Volatility Like a Pro
In this earnings live whirlwind—Zscaler stock tanks on caution, Dell rises on AI fire, Deere slides on ag blues—the lesson is clear: Guidance trumps history. As December dawns with Fed watches and holiday spending, stay nimble. Diversify, dig into calls, and remember: Dips are where fortunes form.
Ready to act? Subscribe for weekly earnings alerts, or drop a comment: Which stock are you buying post-dip? Let's chat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What caused Zscaler stock to tank after earnings?
Guidance disappointed amid macro pressures, despite EPS beats—sales cycles lengthened to 120 days.
Why did Dell's stock rise despite missing revenue?
AI server orders hit $12.3B, with raised $25B FY guidance overshadowing the minor miss.
Is Deere's slide a buy opportunity?
At 12x earnings, yes for long-term ag tech believers; short-term, wait for commodity rebound.
Trending: How will AI impact 2026 earnings?
Users on X ask: Expect 30% growth in servers; Dell-like winners to shine, per Gartner forecasts.
What's next after this major earnings week?
Fed PCE Dec 1, CRM/SNOW reports—watch for rate cut clues boosting cyclicals.
Current Trends: Zscaler vs. Competitors?
Trending query: ZS lags PANW short-term but leads in cloud-native; 23% ARR growth edges peers.
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