PANW vs. PSTG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PANW and PSTG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | PANW | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. | Pure Storage, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 123.27 billion USD | 19.30 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 20, 2012 | October 6, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PANW and PSTG 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 | PANW | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.65% | 3.20% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.85% | 5.35% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -10.06% | -13.02% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 5.61% | -3.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.31% | -0.79% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.42% | -3.87% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.20M | 1.98M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.91M | 2.44M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.77% | 36.65% |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.19 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
PSTG
9.44%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
PSTG’s Return on Equity of 9.44% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
PSTG
3.93%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
PSTG’s Net Profit Margin of 3.93% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
PSTG
2.95%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
PSTG’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.95% is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | PANW | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.59% | 9.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.22% | 3.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.30% | 3.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.48% | 2.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 73.41% | 69.26% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
PSTG
1.61
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
PSTG’s Current Ratio of 1.61 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
PSTG
0.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, PSTG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
PSTG
-2.95
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
PSTG has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.95. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | PANW | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 1.61 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.00 | 0.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 532.90 | -2.95 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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)
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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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 | PANW | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
PSTG
142.37
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
At 142.37, PSTG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
PSTG
5.59
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 5.59, PSTG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
PSTG
12.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
PSTG’s P/B Ratio of 12.51 is in the upper tier for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | PANW | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 106.88 | 142.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 13.14 | 5.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.79 | 12.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 40.39 | 32.15 |