AKAM vs. PANW: Akamai vs. Palo Alto Networks Stock Comparison
How do Akamai (AKAM) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Akamai (AKAM) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) both fall under the Software & Services industry group, but AKAM is classified in IT Services while PANW is classified in Software.
| Profile Item | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Akamai Technologies, Inc. | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Internet Services & Infrastructure | Systems Software |
| Market Capitalization | 11.94 billion USD | 256.86 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | October 29, 1999 | July 20, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -2.77% | 53.99% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -9.48% | 39.16% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -5.72% | 30.80% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 62.11% | 51.34% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.69 | 1.00 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -51.69% | -36.01% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 4.75M | 6.03M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.11 | 0.97 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.17 | 1.49 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Akamai (AKAM) at 7.85% and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 1.74% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
7.85%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- AKAM
- 7.85%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
PANW
Software & Services industry group
1.74%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- PANW
- 1.74%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Akamai (AKAM) at 8.84% and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 2.67% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
8.84%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- AKAM
- 8.84%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
PANW
Software & Services industry group
2.67%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- PANW
- 2.67%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Akamai (AKAM) at 9.88% and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 5.40% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
9.88%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- AKAM
- 9.88%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
PANW
Software & Services industry group
5.40%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- PANW
- 5.40%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 7.85% | 1.74% |
| ROA (TTM) | 2.18% | 1.40% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 8.84% | 2.67% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 9.88% | 5.40% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 56.39% | 70.38% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 24.50% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Akamai (AKAM) at 5.44% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Akamai (AKAM) at -6.12% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at -75.00% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 5.44% | 24.50% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.18% | 18.54% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -6.12% | -75.00% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -1.98% | -14.50% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Akamai (AKAM) at 2.13 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 0.87 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for PANW.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
2.13
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- AKAM
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
PANW
Software & Services industry group
0.87
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- PANW
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 0.09 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Akamai (AKAM) at 1.84 uses more debt funding than most peers.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
1.84
- Max
- 2.52
- AKAM
- 1.84
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.00
PANW
Software & Services industry group
0.09
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- PANW
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.13 | 0.87 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.84 | 0.09 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 5.78 | -0.32 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Akamai (AKAM) nor Palo Alto Networks (PANW) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- AKAM
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PANW
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PANW
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Akamai (AKAM) nor Palo Alto Networks (PANW) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- AKAM
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PANW
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PANW
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Akamai (AKAM) at 32.33 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 784.60 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for PANW’s trailing earnings.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
32.33
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- AKAM
- 32.33
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
PANW
Software & Services industry group
784.60
- PANW
- 784.60
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Akamai (AKAM) at 2.72 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 22.37 clears its benchmark range — PANW looks notably rich on sales.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
2.72
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- AKAM
- 2.72
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
PANW
Software & Services industry group
22.37
- PANW
- 22.37
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Akamai (AKAM) at 2.32 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 9.30 carries an above-peer premium to book — PANW is pricier on assets.
AKAM
Software & Services industry group
2.32
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- AKAM
- 2.32
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
PANW
Software & Services industry group
9.30
- Max
- 16.63
- PANW
- 9.30
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AKAM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 32.33 | 784.60 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.72 | 22.37 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.32 | 9.30 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.51% | 1.65% |