Arista Networks rises 4.1% as company schedules quarterly results after the close

What happened

Arista Networks (ANET) rose 4.1% on October 6, 2026, after saying it would report results for the quarter ended September 30 after U.S. markets close on November 3, 2026. The stock traded on volume 1.4 times its 20-day average, and the company announcement was the likely driver.

How big was the move

The stock closed at $215.36, a gain of 4.1% for the day and 6.2% over the last five sessions. Trading volume was 1.4 times its 20-day average, and the day's price swing amounted to 1.4 times a typical daily move for this stock. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% on the session, while the Technology sector median fell 0.1%, leaving the stock 4.2 percentage points better than the sector median. With a beta of 2.01, the stock tends to move more than the market.

The technical picture

The stock traded 10.5% above its 50-day moving average and 6.9% above its 20-day moving average, and it stood 34.8% above its 200-day moving average. The 50-day average is above the 200-day average, a sign of an established uptrend, and the stock has been above the 200-day average for 102 consecutive trading days. Momentum measures show gains across time frames: the stock rose 11.1% over one month, 19.0% over three months and 48.0% over one year. The Relative Strength Index (14 days) read 67, a neutral range, and the shares sat 0.3% below the 52-week high. The move was a large, mostly company-specific one: the stock moved far more than the market and its sector, and the company news was the likely driver.

Fundamentals and valuation

For the four quarters through June 30, 2026, Arista reported revenue of $10.54 billion, which grew 32.6% from a year earlier and compared with growth of 30.6% one quarter earlier. Diluted earnings per share were $3.17, which rose 24.8% from a year earlier. Gross margin was 63.0% (a year earlier: 64.2%), operating margin was 43.1% (a year earlier: 43.1%) and free-cash-flow margin was 48.9%. Return on invested capital read 21.8% and the balance sheet showed net cash of $2.29 billion. Share count over one year increased by 0.3%.

Valuation measures are elevated: the stock traded at 67.9 times trailing earnings, the highest reading of the past five years (five-year median: 42.3 times earnings), and at 52.4 times expected forward earnings. Free-cash-flow yield was 2.0%. Within the sector, PromtFinance scores show very weak Value at 24, strong Growth at 88, strong Quality at 83, exceptional Momentum at 90, positive Revisions at 73 and neutral Stability at 64. The premium multiple reflects strong growth and momentum relative to peers but leaves valuation stretched against its own five-year history.

Earnings and analyst expectations

Arista said it will release results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, after U.S. markets close on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with a press release and accompanying financial information posted on its Investor Relations website, an announcement reported by Business Wire. The last report, on August 4, 2026, showed earnings per share of $1.02 against $0.89 expected, 15.1% above estimates. That marked the fourteenth consecutive quarter beating estimates, and the average surprise over the last four reports was 8.9% above estimates. The typical two-day reaction after recent reports was a fall of 0.1%.

Fifty-three analysts cover the stock, with a consensus rating of Buy and 77% of those ratings in the Buy or equivalent category. The consensus price target was $226.64, 5.2% above the closing price on October 6.

What to watch

• November 3, 2026: Arista will post results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, after U.S. markets close, with financial information on its Investor Relations website.
• August 4, 2026: last reported EPS $1.02 versus $0.89 expected, 15.1% above estimates; typical two-day reaction after recent reports fell 0.1%.
• Current valuation: 67.9 times trailing earnings and 52.4 times forward earnings; five-year median trailing earnings multiple 42.3 times.
• Technical proximity: 0.3% below the 52-week high and 10.5% above its 50-day moving average.