FOUR vs. PANW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FOUR and PANW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FOUR | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Shift4 Payments, Inc. | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Financial Services | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 6.95 billion USD | 139.98 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 5, 2020 | July 20, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FOUR 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 | FOUR | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.36% | 2.27% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -21.91% | 4.67% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -10.20% | 18.55% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -11.90% | 21.01% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -14.41% | 1.56% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -25.42% | 13.65% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.51M | 6.00M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.68M | 7.05M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 40.59% | 32.43% |
| Beta | 1.72 | 0.78 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FOUR
21.96%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 18.88%
- Median
- 9.97%
- Q1
- 4.03%
- Min
- -10.25%
In the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry, FOUR’s Return on Equity of 21.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PANW
16.59%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
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)
FOUR
6.11%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 52.16%
- Q3
- 25.35%
- Median
- 12.68%
- Q1
- 6.11%
- Min
- -11.69%
FOUR’s Net Profit Margin of 6.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
PANW
12.30%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
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)
FOUR
7.53%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 75.57%
- Q3
- 37.78%
- Median
- 19.09%
- Q1
- 10.04%
- Min
- -19.42%
FOUR’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.53% is in the lower quartile for the Financial Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
PANW
13.48%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
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 | FOUR | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.96% | 16.59% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.99% | 5.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.11% | 12.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.53% | 13.48% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.55% | 73.41% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FOUR
2.53
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83
- Q3
- 2.70
- Median
- 1.44
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.01
For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
PANW
0.94
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
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)
FOUR
2.34
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 5.07
- Q3
- 2.14
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.
PANW
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- 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)
FOUR
14.17
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 136.23
- Q3
- 56.08
- Median
- 6.55
- Q1
- 2.01
- Min
- -33.27
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.
PANW
532.90
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
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 | FOUR | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.53 | 0.94 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.49 | 0.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.34 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 14.17 | 532.90 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FOUR
0.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 8.12%
- Q3
- 3.37%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FOUR 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.
PANW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- 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)
FOUR
0.00%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 132.10%
- Q3
- 64.32%
- Median
- 18.23%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FOUR 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.
PANW
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- 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 | FOUR | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FOUR
30.76
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 45.81
- Q3
- 30.21
- Median
- 16.29
- Q1
- 10.14
- Min
- 0.70
A P/E Ratio of 30.76 places FOUR in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
PANW
120.12
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
A P/E Ratio of 120.12 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)
FOUR
1.88
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 10.88
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 2.64
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.06
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.
PANW
14.77
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
PANW’s P/S Ratio of 14.77 is in the upper echelon for the Software industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FOUR
5.45
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.93
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.08
FOUR’s P/B Ratio of 5.45 is in the upper tier for the Financial 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
14.82
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
PANW’s P/B Ratio of 14.82 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 | FOUR | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.76 | 120.12 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.88 | 14.77 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.45 | 14.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.82 | 45.39 |