NEW YORK, Jan 3, 2026, 11:38 ET — Market closed
- CrowdStrike (CRWD) fell in the first trading session of 2026, lagging a modestly firmer U.S. stock market.
- Cybersecurity peers also slipped, pointing to sector-wide pressure rather than a single headline.
- Next catalysts: key U.S. data next week and CrowdStrike’s upcoming earnings timeline.
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. shares fell 3.2% on Friday, the first trading day of 2026, closing at $453.58 — down about $15 on the day. The stock traded between $449.49 and $477.25, with roughly 3.3 million shares changing hands.
The move matters because investors are starting the year trimming exposure to high-valuation software names — shares priced at rich multiples of sales — that often swing harder when interest-rate expectations shift.
Rates are back in the frame. “There may be a scenario where the Federal Reserve does not end up cutting rates in 2026,” Alex Guiliano, chief investment strategist at Resonate Wealth Partners, said in a Reuters interview. 1
CrowdStrike’s slide came even as broader U.S. stocks edged higher on Friday. The S&P 500 rose about 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite was little changed, according to the Associated Press. 2
Other cybersecurity names also slipped. Palo Alto Networks fell 2.6% and Fortinet lost 1.9% on Friday, MarketWatch data showed, pointing to soft demand for the group even with the broader tape steady. 3
For CrowdStrike, the last major company catalyst came in early December, when the Austin, Texas-based firm forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $1.29 billion to $1.30 billion and raised its full-year revenue outlook, citing growing adoption of AI across its product suite. 4
That keeps the spotlight on whether CrowdStrike can sustain growth while defending its valuation premium. Investors will watch subscription momentum, including annual recurring revenue — the yearly value of contracted subscription sales — and free cash flow, cash left after expenses and capital spending.
CrowdStrike has not announced the date for its next earnings report; Zacks Investment Research currently expects results around March 3. 5
Before Monday’s open, traders will take their cue from fresh U.S. data. The Institute for Supply Management is set to publish its manufacturing PMI at 10 a.m. ET on Jan. 5 and its services PMI at 10 a.m. ET on Jan. 7; PMI is a monthly survey that signals expansion when above 50 and contraction when below.
The week also brings the U.S. employment report for December 2025 on Jan. 9 at 8:30 a.m. ET, the Bureau of Labor Statistics calendar shows. The agency cautioned that release dates are subject to change due to a lapse in government services.
Technically, Friday’s low near $450 is a near-term level to watch. On the upside, the $475–$480 area marks the latest resistance — a zone where the stock recently struggled to push higher.
Until CrowdStrike delivers its next update on demand and guidance, traders are likely to treat CRWD as a high-beta cybersecurity name tied to rate expectations and broader software sentiment, alongside moves in peers such as Palo Alto and Fortinet.
