WallStSmart

Shift4 Payments Inc (FOUR)vsFortinet Inc (FTNT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Fortinet Inc generates 57% more annual revenue ($7.53B vs $4.78B). FTNT leads profitability with a 28.2% profit margin vs 2.2%. FOUR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.34. FTNT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

FOUR

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 5.0Value: 7.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.84

FTNT

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.3Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.50
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

FOURUndervalued (+44.1%)

Margin of Safety

+44.1%

Fair Value

$105.03

Current Price

$45.05

$59.98 discount

UndervaluedFair: $105.03Overvalued
FTNTUndervalued (+43.5%)

Margin of Safety

+43.5%

Fair Value

$276.16

Current Price

$156.07

$120.09 discount

UndervaluedFair: $276.16Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

FOUR2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.3410/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Revenue GrowthGrowth
34.1%10/10

Revenue surging 34.1% year-over-year

FTNT6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
136.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 137 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
33.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 33.6%

Market CapQuality
$114.51B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
28.2%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
25.6%8/10

Revenue surging 25.6% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
43.9%8/10

Earnings expanding 43.9% YoY

Areas to Watch

FOUR4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.2%3/10

ROE of 6.2% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
2.2%3/10

2.2% margin — thin

P/E RatioValuation
66.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

EPS GrowthGrowth
-75.4%2/10

Earnings declined 75.4%

FTNT4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.744/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.504/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

P/E RatioValuation
56.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
74.0x2/10

Trading at 74.0x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : FOUR

The strongest argument for FOUR centers on PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 34.1% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.34 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : FTNT

The strongest argument for FTNT centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.2% and operating margin at 33.6%. Revenue growth of 25.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : FOUR

The primary concerns for FOUR are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 66.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 2.82 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : FTNT

The primary concerns for FTNT are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 56.1x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

FOUR profiles as a hypergrowth stock while FTNT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

FOUR carries more volatility with a beta of 1.38 — expect wider price swings.

FOUR is growing revenue faster at 34.1% — sustainability is the question.

FTNT generates stronger free cash flow (966M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

FTNT scores higher overall (73/100 vs 60/100), backed by strong 28.2% margins and 25.6% revenue growth. FOUR offers better value entry with a 44.1% 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.

Shift4 Payments Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Shift4 Payments, Inc. provides integrated payment processing and technology solutions in the United States. The company is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Fortinet Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. It develops and sells cybersecurity solutions, including but not limited to physical products such as firewalls, plus software and services such as anti-virus protection, intrusion prevention systems and endpoint security components.

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