Okta CEO on Q4 earnings beat and what's driving business: EXCLUSIVE

Cybersecurity player Okta (OKTA) is ending its reporting year on a high note. Fourth-quarter sales rose 13% from the prior year amid healthy demand for cybersecurity services. Adjusted earnings beat analyst estimates by four cents per share. For 2025, the company targets double-digit percentage profit growth despite economic pressures on small to medium-sized businesses. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi chats with Okta co-founder and CEO Todd McKinnon about the quarter and road ahead. McKinnon co-founded Okta in 2009 alongside Frederic Kerrest. Today, the company’s market cap stands at more than $15 billion. The company has ambitious innovation goals in identity management, a key plank in corporate tech stacks as AI agents begin to run amok. McKinnon reveals his plans to keep companies safe in the age of AI, and a host of leadership lessons some 16 years into his CEO journey. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. 00:00-Todd McKinnon on Opening Bid 02:30-Why AI might create problems in cyber security 07:00-Diving into earnings 9:45-First quarter outlook 14:50-Building Okta's culture 17:30-Going to battle: talking competitors 20:00-HOT TAKE Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky. Todd McKinnon is the Co-founder and CEO of cloud security company Okta, previously serving as a vice president at Salesforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices