WallStSmart

Shift4 Payments Inc (FOUR)vsFortinet Inc (FTNT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Fortinet Inc generates 60% more annual revenue ($7.11B vs $4.45B). FTNT leads profitability with a 27.5% profit margin vs 2.6%. FOUR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.30. FTNT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).

FOUR

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 5.0Value: 8.0Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.84

FTNT

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 8.0Profit: 9.5Value: 4.7Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.50
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

FOURUndervalued (+41.6%)

Margin of Safety

+41.6%

Fair Value

$100.66

Current Price

$38.08

$62.58 discount

UndervaluedFair: $100.66Overvalued
FTNTUndervalued (+45.4%)

Margin of Safety

+45.4%

Fair Value

$265.15

Current Price

$149.67

$115.48 discount

UndervaluedFair: $265.15Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

FOUR2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.3010/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Revenue GrowthGrowth
32.2%10/10

Revenue surging 32.2% year-over-year

FTNT6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
197.5%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 197 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
31.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 31.3%

Market CapQuality
$109.06B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
27.5%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
20.1%8/10

Revenue surging 20.1% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
28.6%8/10

Earnings expanding 28.6% YoY

Areas to Watch

FOUR4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.2%3/10

ROE of 6.2% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
2.6%3/10

2.6% margin — thin

P/E RatioValuation
47.3x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

EPS GrowthGrowth
-72.2%2/10

Earnings declined 72.2%

FTNT4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.504/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

PEG RatioValuation
3.322/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
57.7x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
110.9x2/10

Trading at 110.9x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : FOUR

The strongest argument for FOUR centers on PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 32.2% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.30 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : FTNT

The strongest argument for FTNT centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.5% and operating margin at 31.3%. Revenue growth of 20.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : FOUR

The primary concerns for FOUR are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 47.3x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 2.77 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : FTNT

The primary concerns for FTNT are Altman Z-Score, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 57.7x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

FOUR profiles as a hypergrowth stock while FTNT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

FOUR carries more volatility with a beta of 1.42 — expect wider price swings.

FOUR is growing revenue faster at 32.2% — sustainability is the question.

FTNT generates stronger free cash flow (1.0B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

FTNT scores higher overall (67/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 27.5% margins and 20.1% revenue growth. FOUR offers better value entry with a 41.6% 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.

Shift4 Payments Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Shift4 Payments, Inc. provides integrated payment processing and technology solutions in the United States. The company is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

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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