Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Competitors

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) and Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, risk and community ranking.

Which has stronger valuation and earnings, PANW or CSCO?

Cisco Systems has higher revenue and earnings than Palo Alto Networks. Cisco Systems is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Palo Alto Networks, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Palo Alto Networks	$8.57B	13.00	$2.58B	$1.77	95.10
Cisco Systems	$54.18B	4.08	$10.32B	$2.29	24.29

Is PANW or CSCO more profitable?

Cisco Systems has a net margin of 16.96% compared to Palo Alto Networks' net margin of 14.64%. Cisco Systems' return on equity of 26.08% beat Palo Alto Networks' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Palo Alto Networks	14.64%	21.93%	6.07%
Cisco Systems	16.96%	26.08%	9.65%

Does the media favor PANW or CSCO?

In the previous week, Palo Alto Networks had 23 more articles in the media than Cisco Systems. MarketBeat recorded 72 mentions for Palo Alto Networks and 49 mentions for Cisco Systems. Palo Alto Networks' average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat Cisco Systems' score of 1.16 indicating that Palo Alto Networks is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Palo Alto Networks	58 Very Positive mention(s)	4 Positive mention(s)	7 Neutral mention(s)	2 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Cisco Systems	36 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	3 Negative mention(s)	1 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Which has more volatility & risk, PANW or CSCO?

Palo Alto Networks has a beta of 1.07, indicating that its stock price is 7% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cisco Systems has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Does the MarketBeat Community favor PANW or CSCO?

Cisco Systems received 222 more outperform votes than Palo Alto Networks when rated by MarketBeat users. However, 78.54% of users gave Palo Alto Networks an outperform vote while only 73.04% of users gave Cisco Systems an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
Palo Alto Networks	Outperform Votes 2222 78.54%	Underperform Votes 607 21.46%
Cisco Systems	Outperform Votes 2444 73.04%	Underperform Votes 902 26.96%

Do institutionals & insiders believe in PANW or CSCO?

79.8% of Palo Alto Networks shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.3% of Cisco Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 2.5% of Palo Alto Networks shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Cisco Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Do analysts rate PANW or CSCO?

Palo Alto Networks presently has a consensus price target of $203.06, suggesting a potential upside of 20.64%. Cisco Systems has a consensus price target of $64.68, suggesting a potential upside of 16.29%. Given Palo Alto Networks' higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Palo Alto Networks is more favorable than Cisco Systems.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Palo Alto Networks	2 Sell rating(s)	12 Hold rating(s)	28 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.68
Cisco Systems	0 Sell rating(s)	7 Hold rating(s)	14 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.78

Summary

Palo Alto Networks beats Cisco Systems on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.