This Software Stock Is Up 23% After Earnings. What’s Behind the Move.

JFrog made its public trading debut in September 2020. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)

Key Points

• JFrog’s adjusted earnings reached 22 cents per share, exceeding analyst expectations of 16 cents.
• Total revenue for JFrog was $136.9 million, surpassing the FactSet consensus of $128.3 million.
• JFrog raised its full-year revenue forecast to between $523 million and $525 million, up from $507 million to $510 million.

JFrog stock surged on Friday after the software company posted solid third-quarter earnings and boosted its financial guidance.

Adjusted earnings came in at 22 cents a share, above the 16 cents analysts had expected. Total revenue came to $136.9 million, beating the $128.3 million consensus among analysts polled by FactSet. JFrog noted that cloud revenue was a particular driver of growth in the quarter, surging 50% to $63.4 million.

The company also raised its financial forecasts for the full year, calling for revenue between $523 million and $525 million, considerably higher than the range of $507 million to $510 million it predicted in the second quarter. The Street was looking for $521.7 million.

The company now expects adjusted earnings between 78 and 80 cents a share, up from 68 cents to 70 cents previously and above the 77 cents analysts expected.

Shares climbed 23% to $58.35 on Friday, putting JFrog on pace for its highest close since Feb. 24, 2021, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Counting Friday’s gains, shares have risen more than 98% this year.

JFrog specializes in services for the software development process. Like virtually every other tech player, the company has worked to integrate artificial intelligence into its product portfolio. At the start of September, JFrog released its AI Catalog, which it describes as a “centralized hub for all AI models and initiatives.”

JFrog made its trading debut on Sept. 16, 2020, when it opened 62% above its initial public offering price. It ended the session up 47% at $64.79. Since then, the stock has fallen 10%.

Write to Mackenzie Tatananni at mackenzie.tatananni@barrons.com