WallStSmart

Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)vsPegasystems Inc (PEGA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Palo Alto Networks Inc generates 561% more annual revenue ($11.48B vs $1.74B). PEGA leads profitability with a 18.7% profit margin vs 2.7%. PANW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.73. PANW earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 51/100 (C-).

PANW

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 9.3Profit: 4.5Value: 5.3Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 1/9

PEGA

Hold

48

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 4.7Profit: 7.5Value: 6.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 2.77
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

PANWUndervalued (+34.1%)

Margin of Safety

+34.1%

Fair Value

$501.81

Current Price

$330.65

$171.16 discount

UndervaluedFair: $501.81Overvalued
PEGAUndervalued (+61.1%)

Margin of Safety

+61.1%

Fair Value

$97.56

Current Price

$36.24

$61.32 discount

UndervaluedFair: $97.56Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PANW4 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
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

PEGA2 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
48.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 48 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.109/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

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

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
9.8x4/10

Trading at 9.8x 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

PEGA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Price/BookValuation
10.6x4/10

Trading at 10.6x book value

Operating MarginProfitability
4.6%3/10

Operating margin of 4.6%

PEG RatioValuation
2.992/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-52.9%2/10

Earnings declined 52.9%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PANW

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

Bull Case : PEGA

The strongest argument for PEGA centers on Return on Equity, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.7% and operating margin at 4.6%.

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.

Bear Case : PEGA

The primary concerns for PEGA are Price/Book, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PANW profiles as a hypergrowth stock while PEGA is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

PANW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.91 — expect wider price swings.

PANW is growing revenue faster at 34.4% — sustainability is the question.

PANW generates stronger free cash flow (788M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PANW scores higher overall (51/100 vs 48/100) and 34.4% revenue growth. PEGA offers better value entry with a 61.1% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

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

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.

Pegasystems Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

Pegasystems Inc. develops, markets, licenses, hosts and supports business software applications in the United States, the rest of the Americas, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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