WallStSmart

Arista Networks (ANET)vsPalo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Palo Alto Networks Inc generates 9% more annual revenue ($11.48B vs $10.54B). ANET leads profitability with a 38.4% profit margin vs 2.7%. ANET appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.44. ANET earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

ANET

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 10.0Profit: 9.5Value: 6.0Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 3.59

PANW

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 9.3Profit: 4.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 1/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ANETUndervalued (+66.3%)

Margin of Safety

+66.3%

Fair Value

$592.77

Current Price

$199.39

$393.38 discount

UndervaluedFair: $592.77Overvalued
PANWUndervalued (+27.4%)

Margin of Safety

+27.4%

Fair Value

$500.75

Current Price

$363.58

$137.17 discount

UndervaluedFair: $500.75Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ANET6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$238.36B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
38.4%10/10

Keeps 38 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
45.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 45.4%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
37.7%10/10

Revenue surging 37.7% year-over-year

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.5910/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
27.3%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 27 in profit

PANW5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$270.47B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Revenue GrowthGrowth
34.4%10/10

Revenue surging 34.4% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
60.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 60.5% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0910/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.27B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

ANET3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
17.0x4/10

Trading at 17.0x book value

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
61.0x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

PANW4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.734/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
10.8x4/10

Trading at 10.8x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
1.1%3/10

ROE of 1.1% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
2.7%3/10

2.7% margin — thin

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ANET

The strongest argument for ANET centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 38.4% and operating margin at 45.4%. Revenue growth of 37.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : PANW

The strongest argument for PANW centers on Market Cap, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 34.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ANET

The primary concerns for ANET are Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 61.0x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : PANW

The primary concerns for PANW are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Return on Equity. A P/E of 295.2x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 2.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ANET profiles as a growth stock while PANW is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

ANET carries more volatility with a beta of 1.62 — expect wider price swings.

ANET is growing revenue faster at 37.7% — sustainability is the question.

PANW generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ANET scores higher overall (78/100 vs 51/100), backed by strong 38.4% margins and 37.7% revenue growth. PANW offers better value entry with a 27.4% 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.

Arista Networks

TECHNOLOGY · COMPUTER HARDWARE · USA

Arista Networks (formerly Arastra) is an American computer networking company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The company designs and sells multilayer network switches to deliver software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for large datacenter, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and high-frequency trading environments.

Visit Website →

Palo Alto Networks Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity platform solutions globally. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?