SCHEDULE 13G/A: BlackRock, Inc. Discloses 14.0% Stake in Qualys, Inc. Common Stock

BlackRock, Inc. has filed an amended Schedule 13G, reporting a 14.0% beneficial ownership stake in Qualys, Inc.'s common stock as of March 31, 2025.

Summary

• BlackRock, Inc. filed an Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13G regarding its beneficial ownership in Qualys, Inc.
• As of March 31, 2025, BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owns an aggregate of 5,090,379 shares of Qualys, Inc. common stock.
• This ownership represents 14.0% of the class of Qualys, Inc. common stock.
• BlackRock, Inc. holds sole voting power over 5,042,201 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,090,379 shares.
• The securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and are not intended to change or influence the control of Qualys, Inc.
• BlackRock Fund Advisors, a subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., is identified as an entity that beneficially owns 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of the security class.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: Neutral to slightly positive. It's a routine disclosure of a significant passive stake by a major institutional investor, indicating continued confidence without any negative implications.

Positives

• BlackRock, a major institutional investor, maintains a significant 14.0% stake in Qualys, Inc., indicating continued confidence in the company.
• The filing explicitly states that the shares are held for investment purposes in the ordinary course of business, not for activist intentions, which can provide stability.

Future Outlook

This Schedule 13G filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance regarding Qualys, Inc.'s future performance or BlackRock's investment strategy beyond the statement that shares are held in the ordinary course of business.

Management Comments

• "The securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities."

Industry Context

This filing reflects a routine disclosure by a major institutional asset manager, BlackRock, Inc., regarding its passive investment stake in Qualys, Inc., a cybersecurity and compliance cloud solutions provider. Such disclosures are common for large funds that cross ownership thresholds and typically indicate a long-term, non-activist investment approach.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• As a Schedule 13G filing, this document primarily serves as a disclosure of a significant passive ownership stake by an institutional investor. It does not provide performance metrics for Qualys, Inc. that would allow for direct comparison to industry standards or competitors like CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, or Zscaler.
• The 14.0% stake held by BlackRock is a substantial position for an institutional investor in a publicly traded company, demonstrating a significant allocation of capital to Qualys, Inc.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Provides transparency on a significant institutional holder's stake, potentially reinforcing confidence due to BlackRock's continued passive investment.
• Management: Confirms that BlackRock's stake is for investment purposes and not intended to influence control, reducing potential concerns about activist pressure.

Next Steps

• BlackRock, Inc. will continue to file amendments to Schedule 13G if there are material changes to its beneficial ownership percentage in Qualys, Inc. (e.g., crossing a 1% threshold up or down, or changing its investment intent).

Key Dates

Keywords

BlackRock, Qualys, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Common Stock, Institutional Investor, SEC Filing, Investment Management