ACN vs. PANW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACN and PANW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ACN | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Accenture plc | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
| Country | Ireland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 158.86 billion USD | 123.19 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 19, 2001 | July 20, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACN and PANW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.61% | 6.27% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -20.14% | -5.08% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -34.52% | -8.64% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -22.58% | 7.43% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.51% | 6.24% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -27.50% | 1.36% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.84M | 13.58M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.64M | 6.85M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.16% | 36.24% |
| Beta | 1.30 | 0.97 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ACN
27.11%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 16.98%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 7.93%
- Min
- -3.97%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, ACN’s Return on Equity of 27.11% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PANW
16.59%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
PANW’s Return on Equity of 16.59% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ACN
11.61%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.82%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 3.61%
- Min
- -4.62%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.61% places ACN in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
PANW
12.30%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
PANW’s Net Profit Margin of 12.30% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ACN
15.38%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 21.69%
- Q3
- 14.50%
- Median
- 10.06%
- Q1
- 6.98%
- Min
- 0.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.38% places ACN in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
PANW
13.48%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
PANW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.48% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 27.11% | 16.59% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.30% | 5.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.61% | 12.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.38% | 13.48% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.07% | 73.41% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ACN
1.46
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.42
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.44
ACN’s Current Ratio of 1.46 aligns with the median group of the IT Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
PANW
0.94
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
PANW’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ACN
0.17
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
ACN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.17 is typical for the IT Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
PANW
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
PANW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ACN
4,205.92
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 144.50
- Q3
- 84.49
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 2.59
- Min
- -28.13
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 4,205.92, ACN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the IT Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
PANW
532.90
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 532.90, PANW demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.46 | 0.94 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.46 | 0.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.17 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4,205.92 | 532.90 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ACN
2.24%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.74%
- Median
- 0.62%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.24%, ACN offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
PANW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PANW currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ACN
45.12%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 147.75%
- Q3
- 63.58%
- Median
- 24.63%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.12% is within the typical range for the IT Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PANW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PANW has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.24% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.12% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ACN
20.18
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 41.55
- Q3
- 31.54
- Median
- 23.25
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 6.57
ACN’s P/E Ratio of 20.18 is within the middle range for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
PANW
106.88
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
A P/E Ratio of 106.88 places PANW in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ACN
2.34
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 6.61
- Q3
- 4.37
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.19
ACN’s P/S Ratio of 2.34 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
PANW
13.14
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
PANW’s P/S Ratio of 13.14 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ACN
6.44
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 11.19
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.47
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.96
ACN’s P/B Ratio of 6.44 is in the upper tier for the IT Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
PANW
14.79
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
PANW’s P/B Ratio of 14.79 is within the conventional range for the Software industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.18 | 106.88 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.34 | 13.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.44 | 14.79 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 15.66 | 40.39 |