Cybersecurity Company Qualys Is Said to Explore Sale (1)

Qualys Inc. is exploring options including a potential sale after receiving takeover interest, people familiar with the matter said, as consolidation is expected to accelerate in the cybersecurity sector. The stock rose as much as 33%.

The security software company is working with advisers as it weighs options, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information.

Qualys was up 27% to $164.67 at 2:18 p.m. in New York trading Wednesday after rising as much as 33%, giving it a market value of about $6 billion. That was its biggest intraday gain since going public in ...