Aug 7 (Reuters) -

Antivirus software provider Gen Digital ( GEN ) raised its

annual revenue and profit targets on Thursday, benefiting from

strong demand for its cybersecurity tools.

A surge in high-profile digital breaches and a rise in

online scams have prompted companies to strengthen their

defenses against evolving threats, driving enterprise spending

on cybersecurity solutions-even amid broader economic

uncertainty.

Demand for advanced security tools has remained strong,

particularly as artificial intelligence enables increasingly

sophisticated hacking techniques.

Gen Digital ( GEN ), which owns well-known antivirus brands

including Avast, Avira, AVG and Norton, now expects fiscal 2026

revenue between $4.8 billion and $4.9 billion, compared with its

prior target of $4.7 billion to $4.8 billion.

The Tempe, Arizona-based company also topped estimates for

the quarter ended July 4, posting first-quarter revenue of $1.26

billion-beating analysts' average estimate of $1.19 billion,

according to data compiled by LSEG.

Shares of the company were up about 2% in extended

trading.

Adjusted earnings came in at 64 cents per share, above

the 60-cent estimate. The company now expects annual adjusted

earnings per share in the range of $2.49 to $2.56, compared with

its earlier guidance of $2.46 to $2.54.