GEN DIGITAL INC Stock Price, News & Analysis

Avast, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has revealed concerning statistics about cybercrime affecting older adults. According to their Safe Tech Report, 59% of older loved ones have fallen victim to cybercrime, with over 80% of cybercrime originating from scams and social engineering.

The report highlights that while 84% of adults have warned their older relatives about risky online behavior, only 53% heeded the advice. Notably, 47% of older adults still write passwords on paper. To address these challenges, Avast has introduced new resources and tools, promoting the "Safe Tech Talk" initiative with five best practices focusing on password security, scam awareness, and protective measures.

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Avast, part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has launched Scam Guardian, a free AI-powered scam protection service integrated into Avast Free Antivirus, alongside a premium version called Scam Guardian Pro. The launch comes as cybercrime statistics show alarming trends, with breached records increasing by 186% and phishing scams surging by 466% in Q1 2025.

The AI-powered solution includes features like Avast Assistant, providing 24/7 protection guidance, and Web Guard for detecting hidden scams. The Pro version adds Email Guard for advanced email protection. The company plans to expand Pro features later this year to include protection against SMS and phone call scams.

Gen's Q1/2025 Threat Report reveals alarming cybersecurity trends. Data breaches surged 186% in breached records and 36% in company breaches. Phishing scams skyrocketed 466%, comprising 32% of all scam reports. The company protected over 4 million users from Scam-Yourself Attacks, while fake browser update scams grew 17x compared to last quarter. Notably, cybercriminals are increasingly using AI-enhanced techniques, including deepfake influencers and AI-generated personas. Financial threats targeted mobile users through sophisticated banking trojans, while crypto scams linked to the US presidential inauguration resulted in $4 million stolen across 2,000 transactions. Gen continues to combat these evolving threats through its brands including Norton, Avast, and LifeLock.

Norton, a brand under Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has launched Norton Neo, the first AI-native browser in early access. This innovative browser combines artificial intelligence with Norton's security expertise to provide a safer and smarter internet experience. Neo features include a personal AI assistant that learns user preferences, unified search and chat capabilities, smart tab management, and built-in Norton WebShield protection against phishing and malware.

The browser comes with default ad blocking functionality and aims to increase productivity by up to 40% through AI-powered tools. Neo is designed for tech-forward consumers and AI enthusiasts, focusing on streamlining workflows and reducing repetitive tasks. The early access version is currently available in the United States through NeoToday.ai.

Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN) announced key changes to its Board of Directors. Peter Feld, who joined in 2018, is departing after playing a crucial role in transforming the company from Symantec to NortonLifeLock and through its merger with Avast. John Chrystal, former MoneyLion Board Chair, joins the Gen Board, bringing extensive fintech expertise as the company expands into financial wellness following its MoneyLion acquisition.

The transition marks Gen's strategic shift from purely Cyber Safety to include financial wellbeing solutions. Chrystal's appointment reinforces Gen's commitment to providing trust-based solutions for both digital and financial wellness, while building upon Feld's legacy in establishing Gen as a global consumer Cyber Safety leader.

Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN) reported strong Q4 and FY2025 financial results, with annual revenue reaching $3.935 billion, up 4% year-over-year. The company's FY2025 GAAP operating income increased 45% to $1.61 billion with a 41% operating margin. Following the successful acquisition of MoneyLion, Gen provided optimistic guidance for FY2026, projecting revenue between $4.7-4.8 billion. Q4 results showed revenue of $1.01 billion (up 5%) and operating income of $417 million. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, payable June 11, 2025. For Q1 FY2026, Gen expects revenue of $1.18-1.21 billion and EPS of $0.59-0.61.

Edison Partners has announced its exit from MoneyLion following the fintech company's acquisition by Gen Digital on April 10. As MoneyLion's first institutional investor since 2016, Edison Partners helped transform the company into a leading consumer finance super app serving 20 million users.

Under Edison's guidance, MoneyLion achieved several milestones:

• 700% membership growth to over 20 million customers
• NYSE public listing in 2021
• Development of MoneyLion Checkout marketplace
• Acquisition of Even Financial (now Engine by MoneyLion)

This marks Edison Partners' third major exit in 2025, following successful exits from Zelis (38x return) and RapidDeploy. MoneyLion has become a key platform for Americans making financial decisions, offering personalized financial products and embedded finance solutions through its unified user experience.

Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN) has completed the acquisition of MoneyLion for $82.00 per share in cash, representing a total transaction value of approximately $1 billion. The strategic acquisition aims to strengthen Gen's position in financial wellness by combining its Consumer Cyber Safety Platform with MoneyLion's financial ecosystem.

As part of the deal, MoneyLion shareholders will receive one contingent value right (CVR) per share, offering a potential additional payment of $23.00 in Gen common stock. This CVR payment is conditional on Gen's stock maintaining an average volume-average share price of at least $37.50 for over 30 consecutive trading days, or if Gen undergoes a change of control, prior to April 17, 2027. The CVRs will be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

MoneyLion (NYSE: ML) stockholders have approved the proposed acquisition by Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN). Under the agreement terms, each MoneyLion Class A common stock will be converted into:

• $82.00 in cash
• One contingent value right for 0.7546 Gen Digital shares if Gen's volume-weighted average share price reaches $37.50+ over 30 consecutive trading days between December 10, 2024, and 24 months post-closing

With all regulatory approvals secured, the acquisition is expected to complete on April 17, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Post-acquisition, MoneyLion will become a Gen Digital subsidiary and will be delisted from public markets.