Keysight Taps Top IR Talent to Sharpen Its Growth Story

SANTA ROSA, CA – January 06, 2026 – Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) today announced a significant leadership addition, appointing veteran investor relations executive Liz Morali as its new Head of Investor Relations. The move is being interpreted by market watchers as a strategic effort to enhance communication and bolster investor confidence as the S&P 500 company navigates a period of rapid technological change and corporate expansion.

Morali steps into the role with a formidable reputation, most recently serving as the Vice President of Investor Relations at semiconductor giant Applied Materials. She will now spearhead Keysight's engagement with the global investor and analyst community, tasked with articulating the company’s strategy, financial performance, and long-term growth trajectory.

A Strategic Play for Enhanced Market Dialogue

The appointment is far more than a routine executive shuffle. It signals a deliberate push by Keysight to refine its narrative in an increasingly complex market. In the official announcement, Keysight’s Chief Financial Officer, Neil Dougherty, highlighted Morali’s value. “Liz brings deep expertise in investor relations, capital markets, and executive communications, along with a strong understanding of the technology and semiconductor landscape,” Dougherty stated. “She is a seasoned advisor and has a proven ability to build strong relationships with investors while elevating the clarity, discipline, and effectiveness of investor communications.”

This emphasis on “clarity, discipline, and effectiveness” is telling. During her tenure at Applied Materials, Morali was credited with expanding and diversifying the company's shareholder base and modernizing its core IR processes to improve speed and cross-functional collaboration. For Keysight, a company at the forefront of testing and measurement for cutting-edge industries, bringing in a leader with a proven ability to translate complex technical advantages into a compelling financial story is a calculated move. Her experience in the semiconductor sector is particularly relevant, as it is a key market for Keysight's design, emulation, and test solutions.

Navigating a Narrative of Strong Performance and High Expectations

Keysight enters this new chapter of investor communication from a position of strength. The company delivered a robust performance throughout fiscal year 2025, consistently beating analyst expectations. Its second-quarter results saw revenue hit $1.31 billion against a $1.28 billion forecast, and the year concluded with a powerful fourth quarter where orders grew 14% and revenue climbed 10%, causing a 14% premarket surge in its stock.

Despite these strong fundamentals, the company’s stock journey has had its nuances. Over the 52 weeks leading into late 2025, its stock gains modestly trailed the broader Nasdaq Composite, and while the consensus rating from analysts remained a firm “Buy,” some maintained “Hold” ratings, citing valuation concerns. This disconnect between operational excellence and full market appreciation is precisely the challenge a top-tier IR leader is hired to address. Morali’s task will be to bridge that gap, ensuring that Keysight's valuation more accurately reflects its strategic position and growth potential. This mission is amplified by the company's recent strategic activities, including a $1.5 billion share buyback authorization—a strong signal of management's confidence—and a series of high-profile acquisitions, most notably Spirent Communications.

The Art of Communicating a Future-Forward Vision

Modern investor relations is an art form that blends financial acumen with strategic storytelling. Morali's appointment underscores Keysight's recognition of this reality. The company's future growth is intrinsically linked to some of the world's most dynamic technology trends, including the development of 6G, the proliferation of artificial intelligence, sustained demand in the semiconductor industry, and expanding opportunities in the aerospace and defense sectors.

Communicating the synergy between these diverse growth drivers and the integration of major acquisitions like Spirent, along with assets from Synopsys and Ansys, requires a sophisticated and cohesive narrative. Morali's background suggests she is well-equipped for this challenge. Her experience at Applied Materials involved advising senior leadership on complex earnings strategies and shaping long-term investor messaging. At Keysight, she will be expected to do the same, weaving together the threads of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and market leadership into a clear and compelling vision for the future. The goal is to move beyond quarterly performance metrics and build a durable case for the company's long-term value proposition as a critical innovation partner across the global technology ecosystem.

Deepening Engagement and Aligning with Stakeholders

Beyond crafting the external message, Morali's role will also be pivotal in managing and deepening relationships with existing shareholders. In early 2025, Keysight actively engaged with stockholders representing over half of its outstanding shares. However, the company has also faced persistent shareholder proposals, such as a call for the annual election of all directors, which has received significant support in consecutive years without reaching the required threshold for adoption.

This indicates an opportunity to further align management with shareholder interests, an area where an experienced IR head can act as a crucial bridge. By fostering transparent and constructive dialogue, Morali can help address shareholder concerns and build stronger consensus around the company's governance and strategic direction. Her proven ability to strengthen relationships across the buy-side and sell-side communities will be invaluable as Keysight seeks to not only attract new investors but also solidify the confidence of its current stakeholder base. Her arrival marks a clear commitment from Keysight to master the critical discipline of financial communication as it powers the next wave of global innovation.