Nomura Instinet analyst Jeffrey Kvaal upgraded F5 Networks to Buy from Neutral and raised his price target for the shares to $180 from $155. "Long an out-of-favor name," F5 shares are now ~25% below their 2018 peak following the acquisition of Nginx, Kvaal tells investors in a research note. However, the analyst's work indicates the company's "security story is resonating," physical application delivery controller revenue declines are contained, and that new launches should boost F5's share in virtual ADCs. He believes the company's "rapidly rising mix of software" will allow its multiple to rise.