WallStSmart

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

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Apple Inc. generates 3966% more annual revenue ($466.82B vs $11.48B). AAPL leads profitability with a 27.6% profit margin vs 2.7%. PANW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.73. 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

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 9.3Profit: 4.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 1/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for AAPL.

PANWUndervalued (+27.4%)

Margin of Safety

+27.4%

Fair Value

$500.75

Current Price

$371.76

$128.99 discount

UndervaluedFair: $500.75Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AAPL6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$4.85T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
119.9%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 120 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
32.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.6%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$31.91B10/10

Generating 31.9B in free cash flow

Profit MarginProfitability
27.6%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
16.4%8/10

16.4% revenue growth

PANW5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$270.47B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Revenue GrowthGrowth
34.4%10/10

Revenue surging 34.4% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
60.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 60.5% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0910/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.27B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

AAPL3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.484/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
37.5x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
46.1x2/10

Trading at 46.1x book value

PANW4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.734/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
11.0x4/10

Trading at 11.0x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
1.1%3/10

ROE of 1.1% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
2.7%3/10

2.7% margin — thin

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 27.6% and operating margin at 32.6%. Revenue growth of 16.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : PANW

The strongest argument for PANW centers on Market Cap, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 34.4% 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 PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Return on Equity. A P/E of 295.2x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 2.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

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 1.08 — expect wider price swings.

PANW is growing revenue faster at 34.4% — sustainability is the question.

AAPL generates stronger free cash flow (31.9B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AAPL scores higher overall (67/100 vs 51/100), backed by strong 27.6% margins and 16.4% revenue growth. PANW offers better value entry with a 27.4% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" 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.

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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.

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