WallStSmart

Apple Inc (AAPL)vsPalo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Apple Inc generates 4156% more annual revenue ($451.44B vs $10.61B). AAPL leads profitability with a 27.2% profit margin vs 8.0%. AAPL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.40. AAPL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).

AAPL

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 10.0Value: 4.3Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 7/9Altman Z: 2.42

PANW

Hold

47

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 9.3Profit: 3.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 1.02
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for AAPL.

PANWUndervalued (+38.8%)

Margin of Safety

+38.8%

Fair Value

$470.35

Current Price

$285.26

$185.09 discount

UndervaluedFair: $470.35Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AAPL6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$4.35T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
115.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 115 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
32.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$26.73B10/10

Generating 26.7B in free cash flow

Profit MarginProfitability
27.2%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
16.6%8/10

16.6% revenue growth

PANW4 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Market CapQuality
$231.90B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Revenue GrowthGrowth
31.1%10/10

Revenue surging 31.1% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
60.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 60.5% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0710/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

AAPL3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.404/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
35.8x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
40.9x2/10

Trading at 40.9x book value

PANW4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
Price/BookValuation
8.4x4/10

Trading at 8.4x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
3.0%3/10

ROE of 3.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
8.0%3/10

8.0% margin — thin

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AAPL

The strongest argument for AAPL centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.2% and operating margin at 32.3%. Revenue growth of 16.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : PANW

The strongest argument for PANW centers on Market Cap, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 31.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : AAPL

The primary concerns for AAPL are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Bear Case : PANW

The primary concerns for PANW are Price/Book, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 247.4x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AAPL profiles as a growth stock while PANW is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

AAPL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.09 — expect wider price swings.

PANW is growing revenue faster at 31.1% — sustainability is the question.

AAPL generates stronger free cash flow (26.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AAPL scores higher overall (67/100 vs 47/100), backed by strong 27.2% margins and 16.6% revenue growth. PANW offers better value entry with a 38.8% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Apple Inc

TECHNOLOGY · CONSUMER ELECTRONICS · USA

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is the world's largest technology company by revenue (totalling $274.5 billion in 2020) and, since January 2021, the world's most valuable company. As of 2021, Apple is the world's fourth-largest PC vendor by unit sales, and fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer. It is one of the Big Five American information technology companies, along with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.

Visit Website →

Palo Alto Networks Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity platform solutions globally. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?