WallStSmart

Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)vsScanSource Inc (SCSC)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Palo Alto Networks Inc generates 256% more annual revenue ($11.48B vs $3.23B). PANW leads profitability with a 2.7% profit margin vs 2.4%. SCSC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.83. SCSC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).

PANW

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 9.3Profit: 4.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 1.11

SCSC

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 5.0Value: 7.3Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 3.53
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

PANWUndervalued (+26.6%)

Margin of Safety

+26.6%

Fair Value

$498.68

Current Price

$314.67

$184.01 discount

UndervaluedFair: $498.68Overvalued
SCSCUndervalued (+9.0%)

Margin of Safety

+9.0%

Fair Value

$38.10

Current Price

$42.78

$4.68 discount

UndervaluedFair: $38.10Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PANW5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$299.44B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Revenue GrowthGrowth
34.5%10/10

Revenue surging 34.5% 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
$1.25B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

SCSC6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Price/BookValuation
0.9x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.5310/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Debt/EquityHealth
0.129/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

PEG RatioValuation
0.838/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
16.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Revenue GrowthGrowth
17.3%8/10

17.3% revenue growth

Areas to Watch

PANW4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.874/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
9.3x4/10

Trading at 9.3x 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

SCSC4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Market CapQuality
$1.23B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Profit MarginProfitability
2.4%3/10

2.4% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.5%3/10

Operating margin of 3.5%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-4.79M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PANW

The strongest argument for PANW centers on Market Cap, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 34.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : SCSC

The strongest argument for SCSC centers on Price/Book, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. Revenue growth of 17.3% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.83 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 914.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 2.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : SCSC

The primary concerns for SCSC are Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Thin 2.4% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

SCSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.25 — expect wider price swings.

PANW is growing revenue faster at 34.5% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

SCSC scores higher overall (66/100 vs 51/100) and 17.3% revenue growth. PANW offers better value entry with a 26.6% 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.

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.

ScanSource Inc

TECHNOLOGY · ELECTRONICS & COMPUTER DISTRIBUTION · USA

ScanSource, Inc. distributes technology products and solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.

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