PANW vs. QBTS: Palo Alto Networks vs. D-Wave Quantum Stock Comparison
How do Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) 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
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) both belong to the Software industry, though PANW is classified under Systems Software while QBTS falls under Application Software.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is a mega-cap company at 256.86 billion USD, while D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) is mid-cap at 4.05 billion USD — a noticeably different scale category that can shape how their valuation multiples are read.
| Profile Item | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. | D-Wave Quantum Inc. |
| 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 | 256.86 billion USD | 4.05 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 20, 2012 | December 11, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 53.99% | -61.09% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 39.16% | 152.63% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 30.80% | 3.13% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) carries a highly aggressive beta of 2.31, indicating much higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, whereas Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is closer to market-like at 1.00 — a noticeable difference in market-sensitivity profile.
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 51.34% | 104.32% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.00 | 2.31 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -36.01% | -96.67% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 6.03M | 15.15M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.97 | -0.63 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.49 | -1.00 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) reports a negative ROE of -27.99%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Palo Alto Networks (PANW) reports 1.74%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
-27.99%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- QBTS
- -27.99%
- Min
- -50.52%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 2.67% and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 0.00% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
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%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- QBTS
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) reports a negative operating margin of -1,732.06%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Palo Alto Networks (PANW) reports 5.40%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
-1,732.06%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
- QBTS
- -1,732.06%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 1.74% | -27.99% |
| ROA (TTM) | 1.40% | -10.65% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 2.67% | 0.00% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 5.40% | -1,732.06% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 70.38% | 64.19% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 178.54% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 24.50%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Palo Alto Networks (PANW) reports EPS growth of -75.00%, ranked against its industry; D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 24.50% | 178.54% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 18.54% | 50.78% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -75.00% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -14.50% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 20.55 carries current ratio above its industry’s typical mid-range, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 0.87 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — different working-capital profiles, both worth examining.
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
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
20.55
- QBTS
- 20.55
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 0.04 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 0.09 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
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
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.04
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- QBTS
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | 20.55 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.09 | 0.04 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -0.32 | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Palo Alto Networks (PANW) nor D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
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%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- QBTS
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Palo Alto Networks (PANW) nor D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
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%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- QBTS
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Palo Alto Networks (PANW) trades at 784.60 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) has no P/E ratio this period.
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
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
--
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
- QBTS
- --
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Investors are paying well above the peer range per dollar of sales for both Palo Alto Networks (PANW) at 22.37 and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 326.31 — each P/S ratio clears its industry’s benchmark range.
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
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
326.31
- QBTS
- 326.31
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 3.67 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.
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
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
3.67
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- QBTS
- 3.67
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | PANW | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 784.60 | -- |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 22.37 | 326.31 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 9.30 | 3.67 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.65% | -1.81% |