NOW vs. PANW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 8, 2025

Here’s a clear look at NOW and PANW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	NOW	PANW
Company Name	ServiceNow, Inc.	Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Software	Software
Market Capitalization	189.32 billion USD	115.48 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	June 29, 2012	July 20, 2012
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NOW 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.

NOW vs. PANW: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	PANW
5-Day Price Return	-3.27%	-0.41%
13-Week Price Return	-6.72%	-8.10%
26-Week Price Return	-9.92%	-7.75%
52-Week Price Return	16.77%	17.54%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.27%	-0.41%
Year-to-Date Return	-13.94%	-4.98%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.76M	14.02M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.60M	6.19M
3-Month Volatility	26.06%	34.42%
Beta	0.94	0.98

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NOW

16.62%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

NOW’s Return on Equity of 16.62% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

PANW

20.06%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

PANW’s Return on Equity of 20.06% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NOW

13.78%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

NOW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.78% 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.

PANW

13.95%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

PANW’s Net Profit Margin of 13.95% 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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NOW

13.28%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

NOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.28% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

PANW

11.09%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

PANW’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.09% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	PANW
Return on Equity (TTM)	16.62%	20.06%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.12%	5.94%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.78%	13.95%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.28%	11.09%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	78.52%	73.56%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NOW

1.09

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

NOW’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

PANW

0.90

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

PANW’s Current Ratio of 0.90 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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Software industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NOW

0.14

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

NOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.14 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.

PANW

0.05

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

PANW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Software industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NOW

32.13

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

NOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.13 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

PANW

-19.72

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

PANW has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -19.72. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	PANW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	0.90
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	0.83
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.14	0.05
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	32.13	-19.72

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOW vs. PANW: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

NOW vs. PANW: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOW 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: 0.08%
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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NOW

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOW 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: 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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	PANW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NOW

113.34

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

A P/E Ratio of 113.34 places NOW 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.

PANW

91.18

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

PANW’s P/E Ratio of 91.18 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NOW

15.61

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

NOW’s P/S Ratio of 15.61 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.

PANW

12.72

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

PANW’s P/S Ratio of 12.72 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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Software industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NOW

19.48

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

NOW’s P/B Ratio of 19.48 is in the upper tier for the Software 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

17.12

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

PANW’s P/B Ratio of 17.12 is in the upper tier for the Software 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.

NOW vs. PANW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Software industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOW	PANW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	113.34	91.18
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	15.61	12.72
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	19.48	17.12
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	49.48	37.61