WallStSmart

Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)vsZoom Video Communications Inc (ZM)

VS
⚡

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Palo Alto Networks Inc generates 130% more annual revenue ($11.48B vs $4.99B). ZM leads profitability with a 65.2% profit margin vs 2.7%. PANW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.01. ZM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (B).

PANW

Hold

49

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 9.3Profit: 4.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 1.11

ZM

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.0Profit: 8.5Value: 5.7Quality: 9.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 5.15
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

PANWUndervalued (+21.7%)

Margin of Safety

+21.7%

Fair Value

$498.95

Current Price

$394.49

$104.46 discount

UndervaluedFair: $498.95Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for ZM.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PANW5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$279.76B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Revenue GrowthGrowth
34.5%10/10

Revenue surging 34.5% 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
$1.25B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

ZM6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
8.7x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
65.2%10/10

Keeps 65 of every $100 in revenue as profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
342.3%10/10

Earnings expanding 342.3% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0110/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
5.1510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
28.8%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit

Areas to Watch

PANW4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.014/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
11.7x4/10

Trading at 11.7x 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

ZM2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.9%4/10

4.9% revenue growth

PEG RatioValuation
2.522/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PANW

The strongest argument for PANW centers on Market Cap, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 34.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : ZM

The strongest argument for ZM centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 65.2% and operating margin at 24.6%.

Bear Case : PANW

The primary concerns for PANW are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Return on Equity. A P/E of 855.0x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 2.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : ZM

The primary concerns for ZM are Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

PANW profiles as a hypergrowth stock while ZM is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

ZM carries more volatility with a beta of 1.03 — expect wider price swings.

PANW is growing revenue faster at 34.5% — sustainability is the question.

PANW generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ZM scores higher overall (71/100 vs 49/100), backed by strong 65.2% margins. PANW offers better value entry with a 21.7% 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.

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.

Zoom Video Communications Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

Zoom Video Communications, Inc. provides a premier video communications platform in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?