In 2021, SentinelOne (NYSE: S) made a bold debut on the stock market, listing at $35 per share. Within months, it soared to an all-time high of $78.50. However, this remarkable ascent proved unsustainable, as the stock subsequently plummeted, shedding 82% of its value. Despite this dramatic decline, SentinelOne's stock has shown resilience, rebounding from its low point and garnering optimism for further recovery. Currently trading around 70% below its peak, the company has promising prospects for 2025, thanks to its innovative approach to AI-powered cybersecurity.
This blog delves into SentinelOne's trajectory, its cutting-edge technology, and why it could be a smart investment in 2025.
The Rising Need for Cybersecurity
The digital landscape is fraught with risk as cyberattacks grow in scale and sophistication. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is expected to cause $10.5 trillion in damages globally in 2025. This alarming figure underscores the escalating demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions.
In this environment, SentinelOne is uniquely positioned. The company's AI-driven cybersecurity software addresses a critical need: faster, more efficient, and automated responses to threats. As the frequency of attacks intensifies, businesses and institutions are increasingly turning to AI to protect their systems.
SentinelOne's AI Revolution: The Singularity Platform
Automation in Cybersecurity
SentinelOne believes that machines can respond to threats more effectively than humans. Its flagship Singularity platform embodies this philosophy, offering a comprehensive solution for protecting:
- Cloud networks
- Employee identities
- Endpoints (e.g., computers, mobile devices)
The Singularity platform leverages artificial intelligence to automate threat detection and response, significantly reducing the reliance on human intervention.
Achieving Excellence in MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations
In December 2024, SentinelOne excelled in the MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations, which assess the ability of cybersecurity platforms to detect and respond to threats. Key highlights from its performance include:
- 100% Detection Accuracy: The platform identified every single threat.
- Zero Detection Delays: Threats were detected in real-time, enabling immediate neutralization.
- Reduced Alert Fatigue: It generated 88% fewer alerts than the median competitor, easing the burden on human cybersecurity managers.
The ability to minimize false positives is a game-changer. Many enterprises grapple with alert fatigue, as they face over 1,000 cybersecurity alerts daily. Singularity's efficiency allows managers to focus on critical incidents without being overwhelmed by extraneous signals.
Innovative Features: Storyline and Purple AI
Two standout features of the Singularity platform are Storyline and Purple AI, which further streamline cybersecurity operations:
- Storyline: Automatically creates a timeline of security events, helping managers quickly trace incidents back to their origins.
- Purple AI: A virtual assistant that can dig deeper into incidents, summarize key details, and even proactively hunt for specific threats across an organization’s digital infrastructure.
By integrating these AI-powered tools, SentinelOne enhances both the speed and accuracy of cybersecurity efforts.
Financial Performance: Signs of a Turnaround
Record Revenue Growth
SentinelOne posted record-breaking revenue of $211 million in Q3 of its fiscal year 2025 (ended Oct. 31), marking a 28% year-over-year increase. For the full fiscal year (ending January 2025), the company is on track to achieve $818 million in revenue, another all-time high.
Enterprise Adoption on the Rise
The company’s growth is being fueled by a surge in enterprise adoption:
- At the end of Q3, 1,310 customers had annual contracts worth over $100,000, a record increase of 250 customers from the prior year.
- The number of customers spending over $1 million annually on SentinelOne's solutions also hit an all-time high.
Reducing Losses and Turning Profitable
While SentinelOne has historically operated at a loss, it is making progress toward profitability:
- Through the first three quarters of fiscal 2025, losses totaled $217 million, an 18% improvement from the $266 million loss in the prior year.
- On a non-GAAP basis (excluding one-off and non-cash expenses), SentinelOne delivered a modest profit of $2.9 million, indicating it could achieve its first-ever profitable year on this metric.
SentinelOne Stock: A Bargain Compared to Peers
At its 2021 peak, SentinelOne's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio exceeded 100, making it one of the most expensive tech stocks. The subsequent decline has brought its P/S ratio down to 9.1, a far more reasonable level. By comparison:
- CrowdStrike: 17.3 P/S ratio
- Palo Alto Networks: 11.6 P/S ratio
- Zscaler: 17.4 P/S ratio
Despite a slight lag in revenue growth compared to CrowdStrike (28% vs. 29%), SentinelOne's growth significantly outpaces that of Palo Alto Networks (14%) and is on par with Zscaler (26%).
Why the Discount?
SentinelOne's smaller revenue base compared to its competitors likely explains its valuation discount. However, with Gartner predicting 15% growth in global cybersecurity spending to $212 billion in 2025, there’s ample room for SentinelOne to expand its market share.
Why SentinelOne Could Be a Smart Buy in 2025
Several factors position SentinelOne for success in 2025 and beyond:
- AI Leadership: The company’s cutting-edge technology is at the forefront of the AI revolution in cybersecurity.
- Strong Customer Growth: Record numbers of enterprise clients indicate growing trust in its platform.
- Improving Financials: SentinelOne is moving closer to sustained profitability, reducing risks for investors.
- Reasonable Valuation: Its P/S ratio offers an attractive entry point compared to peers, given its growth trajectory.
Challenges and Risks
Sustained Losses
Despite progress, SentinelOne continues to post GAAP losses, which could remain a concern for risk-averse investors.
Competitive Landscape
The cybersecurity market is crowded, with formidable players like CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, and Zscaler. Maintaining differentiation through innovation will be crucial for SentinelOne.
Conclusion: A Stock to Watch
SentinelOne’s journey from a hyped IPO to a sharp decline and eventual rebound reflects the volatility of tech stocks. However, the company’s focus on AI-driven cybersecurity, its ability to attract large enterprise customers, and its improving financial performance make it an exciting prospect for 2025.
While challenges remain, the global need for advanced cybersecurity solutions provides a significant tailwind. For investors seeking exposure to the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, SentinelOne could be a hidden gem poised for growth. Buying on the dip might just be the opportunity to capitalize on its long-term potential.