FTNT vs. PLTR: Fortinet vs. Palantir Stock Comparison
How do Fortinet (FTNT) and Palantir (PLTR) 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
Fortinet (FTNT) and Palantir (PLTR) both belong to the Software industry, though FTNT is classified under Systems Software while PLTR falls under Application Software.
| Profile Item | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Fortinet, Inc. | Palantir Technologies Inc. Class A Common Stock |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Software | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Systems Software | Application Software |
| Market Capitalization | 87.31 billion USD | 386.44 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | November 18, 2009 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 49.91% | -4.94% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 35.15% | 109.97% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 11.92% | 47.47% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 49.03% | 60.50% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.07 | 1.63 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -38.98% | -75.26% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 4.68M | 27.20M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.93 | -0.15 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.37 | -0.24 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Fortinet (FTNT) at 153.08% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Palantir (PLTR) at 40.91% also sits in the top quartile.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
153.08%
- FTNT
- 153.08%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
40.91%
- Max
- 53.85%
- PLTR
- 40.91%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
Net Margin (TTM)
Palantir (PLTR) at 50.34% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Fortinet (FTNT) at 28.96% also retains a top-quartile share.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
28.96%
- Max
- 41.17%
- FTNT
- 28.96%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
50.34%
- PLTR
- 50.34%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Fortinet (FTNT) at 33.82% and Palantir (PLTR) at 46.89% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
33.82%
- Max
- 46.89%
- FTNT
- 33.82%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
46.89%
- PLTR
- 46.89%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 153.08% | 40.91% |
| ROA (TTM) | 15.22% | 19.31% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 28.96% | 50.34% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 33.82% | 46.89% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 79.75% | 84.74% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Palantir (PLTR) at 56.18% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than Fortinet (FTNT) at 14.17%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
EPS Growth
Palantir (PLTR) at 231.06% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than Fortinet (FTNT) at 7.08%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 14.17% | 56.18% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 15.46% | 32.92% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 7.08% | 231.06% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 31.68% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Fortinet (FTNT) at 1.40 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Palantir (PLTR) at 7.10 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
1.40
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- FTNT
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
7.10
- PLTR
- 7.10
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Palantir (PLTR) at 0.02 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Fortinet (FTNT) at 0.25 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
0.25
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- FTNT
- 0.25
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.02
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- PLTR
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.40 | 7.10 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.25 | 0.02 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -1.54 | -3.08 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Fortinet (FTNT) nor Palantir (PLTR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- FTNT
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PLTR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Fortinet (FTNT) nor Palantir (PLTR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- FTNT
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PLTR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Fortinet (FTNT) at 38.84 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Palantir (PLTR) at 112.94 sits in the richer quartile — PLTR needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
38.84
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- FTNT
- 38.84
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
112.94
- PLTR
- 112.94
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: Fortinet (FTNT) at 11.08 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Palantir (PLTR) at 53.02 prices even higher, above its industry range.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
11.08
- Max
- 17.91
- FTNT
- 11.08
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
53.02
- PLTR
- 53.02
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Measured against book value, both Fortinet (FTNT) at 38.85 and Palantir (PLTR) at 34.41 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.
FTNT
Software & Services industry group
38.85
- FTNT
- 38.85
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
34.41
- PLTR
- 34.41
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | FTNT | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 38.84 | 112.94 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 11.08 | 53.02 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 38.85 | 34.41 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.85% | 0.69% |