CrowdStrike headlines today center on a new strategic tie‑up with F5 to embed Falcon security directly into BIG‑IP appliances, a fresh Wall Street price‑target hike from RBC to $621, and reporting that CEO George Kurtz is in talks to acquire a minority slice of Mercedes‑AMG Petronas F1. Mid‑session, CRWD shares were modestly lower even as analysts cited platform momentum ahead of next month’s earnings.
What’s new today (Nov 12)
- F5 × CrowdStrike: Falcon + OverWatch come to BIG‑IP, free through Oct 14, 2026.
F5 and CrowdStrike announced a “first‑of‑its‑kind” integration that lets enterprises embed the Falcon Sensor and tap OverWatch managed threat hunting on BIG‑IP. The offer is immediately available for BIG‑IP Virtual Edition, with hardware support slated by year‑end, and is complimentary for eligible F5 customers until Oct. 14, 2026. The companies say more than 200 customers are already using Falcon for BIG‑IP. [1] - RBC raises CRWD price target to $621, reiterates Outperform.
Royal Bank of Canada boosted its target from $540 to $621 this morning while keeping an Outperform rating, citing ongoing platform strength. At today’s mid‑day price near $553, that implies roughly a low‑double‑digit upside. [2] - CEO George Kurtz reportedly in talks to buy ~5% of Mercedes F1 from Toto Wolff.
Reuters reports the potential deal would value the team around $6 billion; Mercedes says governance would remain unchanged. The cybersecurity company is already a team partner with branding on the car and kit. [3]
Why the F5 deal matters for customers and investors
- Security pushed deeper into the network path. Bringing Falcon telemetry and OverWatch hunting onto BIG‑IP extends CrowdStrike from endpoints into application delivery infrastructure—where high‑value traffic and API calls live—helping reduce blind spots and accelerate incident response. [4]
- Context: F5’s recent breach raised stakes. In October, F5 disclosed a nation‑state intrusion that accessed portions of BIG‑IP source code and other files, prompting US/UK government alerts. Today’s partnership—explicitly referenced by F5’s CEO in the release—aims to “raise the security bar” at the network edge. [5]
- Adoption incentive built in. Complimentary access through Oct 14, 2026 provides a long runway for trials and conversions, potentially expanding CrowdStrike’s footprint in network security while reinforcing F5’s platform value with AI‑driven detection and threat hunting. [6]
Wall Street view: Target to $621
RBC’s new $621 price target underscores continued confidence in CrowdStrike’s platform consolidation story and AI‑assisted detection. With shares around $552–$553 mid‑session, the target suggests room for further gains if execution stays on track. [7]
CRWD stock today (intraday)
As of 15:36 UTC, CRWD traded at $552.71, down 0.7% on the day (intraday high $566.44, low $551.50; open $562.97). Traders will be watching whether analyst optimism and the F5 integration headlines offset broader tech tape moves into the close.
Off the track, on the brand: the Mercedes F1 angle
Reports of George Kurtz exploring a ~5% stake in Mercedes‑AMG Petronas F1 align with CrowdStrike’s long‑running sponsorship of the team and Kurtz’s own credentials in endurance racing. While a personal investment, increased visibility in global sport can amplify brand reach and C‑suite access—intangible, but notable for a security vendor selling at board level. [8]
What to watch next
- Earnings date is set: CrowdStrike will report Q3 FY2026 (quarter ended Oct. 31, 2025) after market close on Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 (5:00 p.m. ET call). Expect questions on the F5 integration’s go‑to‑market, CoreWeave/AI partnerships, and progress converting 2024‑related customer concessions into durable multi‑module deals. [9]
Key takeaways
- CrowdStrike’s platform expansion continues—today into network appliances via F5 BIG‑IP—broadening telemetry and hunting coverage beyond endpoints. [10]
- RBC’s $621 target adds to a constructive analyst backdrop ahead of December earnings. [11]
- CEO George Kurtz’s potential Mercedes F1 stake keeps the brand in the spotlight, even if not a corporate transaction. [12]
Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.
References
1. www.businesswire.com, 2. www.marketscreener.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.businesswire.com, 5. www.securityweek.com, 6. www.businesswire.com, 7. www.marketscreener.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.businesswire.com, 10. www.businesswire.com, 11. www.marketscreener.com, 12. www.reuters.com
