How This Security Expert Bucks the Trend

Data-security specialist Check Point Software Technologies (Nasdaq: CHKP  ) is bucking the trend today. On a gloomy market day with few bright spots, Check Point's second-quarter report stands out as a reason for optimism, sending shares up by nearly 3% even as direct competitors Allot Communications (Nasdaq: ALLT  ) , Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO  ) , and Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT  ) all followed the general market down. Check Point's gains are clearly seen as the company's own and not as a sign of better times for the sector as a whole.

Earnings of $0.68 per share on $301 million in revenue beat analyst expectations on both counts, albeit by small margins. Management credits the outperformance to strong sales of software-based security and system-control plugins for its line of hardware appliances.

Check Point's management doesn't like to claim wins over a struggling Cisco, because the networking giant's security sales tend to go straight into existing Cisco-based networks. There's not much overlap there. So pinning this strong quarter on Cisco's troubles would be a mistake.

No, Check Point is sniffing at 10-year highs because it makes best-of-breed security products and outsells the competition based on quality. This stock has rewarded Rule Breakers subscribers with a market-crushing 140% return in just over two years and looks likely to continue its 10-quarter streak of strong reports -- unless a larger competitor decides to buy it out first. Either way, shareholders win. You'd be wise to keep a close eye on this company, and we have just the tool to help you do it -- add Check Point to your Foolish watchlist.