WallStSmart

ACI Worldwide Inc (ACIW)vsFortinet Inc (FTNT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Fortinet Inc generates 314% more annual revenue ($7.53B vs $1.82B). FTNT leads profitability with a 28.2% profit margin vs 12.4%. FTNT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.74. FTNT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

ACIW

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.0Value: 6.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 2.50

FTNT

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.3Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.50
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ACIWUndervalued (+45.9%)

Margin of Safety

+45.9%

Fair Value

$74.55

Current Price

$52.09

$22.46 discount

UndervaluedFair: $74.55Overvalued
FTNTUndervalued (+43.5%)

Margin of Safety

+43.5%

Fair Value

$276.16

Current Price

$156.07

$120.09 discount

UndervaluedFair: $276.16Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ACIW1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
165.2%10/10

Earnings expanding 165.2% YoY

FTNT6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
136.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 137 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
33.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 33.6%

Market CapQuality
$114.51B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
28.2%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
25.6%8/10

Revenue surging 25.6% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
43.9%8/10

Earnings expanding 43.9% YoY

Areas to Watch

ACIW1 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.784/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

FTNT4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.744/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.504/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

P/E RatioValuation
56.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
74.0x2/10

Trading at 74.0x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ACIW

The strongest argument for ACIW centers on EPS Growth.

Bull Case : FTNT

The strongest argument for FTNT centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.2% and operating margin at 33.6%. Revenue growth of 25.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ACIW

The primary concerns for ACIW are PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : FTNT

The primary concerns for FTNT are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 56.1x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ACIW profiles as a value stock while FTNT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

FTNT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.06 — expect wider price swings.

FTNT is growing revenue faster at 25.6% — sustainability is the question.

FTNT generates stronger free cash flow (966M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

FTNT scores higher overall (73/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 28.2% margins and 25.6% revenue growth. ACIW offers better value entry with a 45.9% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

ACI Worldwide Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

ACI Worldwide, Inc., a software company, develops, markets, installs and supports a variety of software products and solutions to facilitate electronic payments to banks, financial intermediaries, merchants and invoice issuers globally. The company is headquartered in Naples, Florida.

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Fortinet Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. It develops and sells cybersecurity solutions, including but not limited to physical products such as firewalls, plus software and services such as anti-virus protection, intrusion prevention systems and endpoint security components.

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