WallStSmart

Fortinet Inc (FTNT)vsStoneCo Ltd (STNE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

StoneCo Ltd generates 90% more annual revenue ($13.54B vs $7.11B). FTNT leads profitability with a 27.5% profit margin vs 26.0%. STNE trades at a lower P/E of 4.2x. STNE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 77/100 (B+).

FTNT

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

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

STNE

Strong Buy

77

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 9.0Value: 8.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.89
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

FTNTUndervalued (+45.3%)

Margin of Safety

+45.3%

Fair Value

$264.55

Current Price

$148.00

$116.55 discount

UndervaluedFair: $264.55Overvalued
STNEUndervalued (+79.4%)

Margin of Safety

+79.4%

Fair Value

$85.94

Current Price

$10.74

$75.20 discount

UndervaluedFair: $85.94Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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
$109.52B9/10

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

STNE6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
P/E RatioValuation
4.2x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.1x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
44.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 44.3%

EPS GrowthGrowth
273.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 273.8% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
28.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 28 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
26.0%9/10

Keeps 26 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Areas to Watch

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

Distress zone — elevated risk

PEG RatioValuation
3.372/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
57.7x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
109.6x2/10

Trading at 109.6x book value

STNE3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.3%4/10

4.3% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.293/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.892/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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.

Bull Case : STNE

The strongest argument for STNE centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.0% and operating margin at 44.3%.

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.

Bear Case : STNE

The primary concerns for STNE are Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

STNE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.59 — expect wider price swings.

FTNT is growing revenue faster at 20.1% — sustainability is the question.

STNE generates stronger free cash flow (3.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

STNE scores higher overall (77/100 vs 67/100), backed by strong 26.0% margins. FTNT offers better value entry with a 45.3% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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.

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.

StoneCo Ltd

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

StoneCo Ltd. provides fintech solutions to merchants and integrated partners to conduct e-commerce through store, online and mobile channels in Brazil.

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