WallStSmart

Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)vsePlus inc (PLUS)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Palo Alto Networks Inc generates 369% more annual revenue ($11.48B vs $2.45B). PLUS leads profitability with a 4.9% profit margin vs 2.7%. PLUS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.08. PLUS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 52/100 (C-).

PANW

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

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

PLUS

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 4.0Profit: 5.5Value: 6.0Quality: 7.3
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 3.73
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

PANWUndervalued (+34.1%)

Margin of Safety

+34.1%

Fair Value

$501.81

Current Price

$373.94

$127.87 discount

UndervaluedFair: $501.81Overvalued
PLUSUndervalued (+3.0%)

Margin of Safety

+3.0%

Fair Value

$86.51

Current Price

$92.24

$5.73 discount

UndervaluedFair: $86.51Overvalued

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

PLUS2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.7310/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Price/BookValuation
2.2x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

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

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
11.1x4/10

Trading at 11.1x 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

PLUS3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
1.0%4/10

1.0% revenue growth

Profit MarginProfitability
4.9%3/10

4.9% margin — thin

EPS GrowthGrowth
-28.0%2/10

Earnings declined 28.0%

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 : PLUS

The strongest argument for PLUS centers on Altman Z-Score, Price/Book. PEG of 1.08 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

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 : PLUS

The primary concerns for PLUS are Revenue Growth, Profit Margin, EPS Growth. Thin 4.9% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PANW profiles as a hypergrowth stock while PLUS is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

PLUS carries more volatility with a beta of 0.97 — 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

PLUS scores higher overall (52/100 vs 51/100). PANW offers better value entry with a 34.1% margin of safety. Both earn "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.

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.

ePlus inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

ePlus inc. The company is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.

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