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FTNT vs PANW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Fortinet (FTNT) vs. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both FTNT and PANW operate in the cybersecurity sector and have benefited from rising demand for AI-enhanced security solutions in recent market activity.
- FTNT reported strong product revenue growth of 52% year-over-year in its Q2 2026 results, alongside billings expansion of 33%.
- PANW delivered fiscal Q4 2026 revenue of $3.41 billion, up 34% year-over-year, with next-generation security annual recurring revenue showing robust gains.
- FTNT received recognition as a leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Hybrid Mesh Firewall, while PANW completed the acquisition of Console to advance AI-native capabilities.
- Recent stock performance has shown FTNT with notable year-to-date gains exceeding 95% in some measures, compared to significant but more variable momentum for PANW.
- Valuation and growth profiles differ, with FTNT often trading at comparatively lower forward multiples amid sustained execution.
Introduction
Fortinet (FTNT) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) represent two prominent players in the cybersecurity industry, each offering platforms that address network security, threat detection, and increasingly AI-related risks. This comparison examines their business models, recent financial results, and market positioning to provide context for traders and investors evaluating relative performance in the current environment. The analysis focuses on verifiable developments and observable metrics that may interest those assessing sector exposure or portfolio allocation within technology and security equities.
FTNT Overview and Recent Performance
Fortinet provides a range of cybersecurity solutions centered on its FortiGate platform, emphasizing integrated hardware and software for secure networking. In recent market activity, the company reported Q2 2026 revenue of $2.05 billion, reflecting 26% year-over-year growth, with product revenue surging 52% driven by demand for high-performance solutions and AI infrastructure needs. Billings rose 33% to $2.37 billion, and management raised full-year guidance. The stock has demonstrated strong longer-term momentum, with one-year gains approaching 96% amid broader sector interest in AI security. Recent developments include leadership positioning in industry reports and ongoing focus on subscription models and margin discipline, contributing to positive sentiment in recent weeks.
PANW Overview and Recent Performance
Palo Alto Networks delivers a broad enterprise security platform encompassing network, cloud, and identity solutions, with emphasis on next-generation security offerings. In its fiscal Q4 2026 results, the company reported revenue of $3.41 billion, up 34% year-over-year, exceeding expectations, alongside next-generation security annual recurring revenue growth of approximately 63%. Full-year fiscal 2026 revenue reached $11.5 billion, up 24%. The stock experienced a pullback following the earnings release despite the beat, amid focus on margins and outlook. Recent activity includes the September 2026 acquisition of Console to enhance AI-driven capabilities and continued platformization efforts, supporting positioning in a market with elevated AI-related security considerations.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks both focus on cybersecurity but differ in scale and approach. FTNT emphasizes hardware-accelerated solutions and has shown accelerated product revenue growth in recent periods, while PANW operates a larger platform with substantial subscription and recurring revenue streams, evidenced by its multi-billion-dollar annual recurring revenue figures. Growth drivers for both include AI-related security demand, though FTNT has highlighted product-specific surges and PANW has pursued acquisitions to expand capabilities. Recent momentum favors FTNT in certain performance measures, while PANW maintains a larger market capitalization and analyst target premiums. Risk factors include execution on guidance for both, with FTNT facing some recent analyst rating adjustments and PANW navigating integration and margin considerations. Sector exposure remains comparable, centered on enterprise and network security.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent trend consistency in product and billings growth, margin performance, and relative positioning amid AI demand, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to FTNT for potential stability in execution. This assessment draws from documented quarterly results and market activity without implying certainty or future outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FTNT is a Hold and PANW is a Buy.
FTNT | PANW | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 92 Overvalued | 99 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 11 | 5 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 12 | 89 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 8 | 7 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 9 | 2 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
FTNT's Valuation (92) in the Computer Communications industry is in the same range as PANW (99). This means that FTNT’s stock grew similarly to PANW’s over the last 12 months.
PANW's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Computer Communications industry is in the same range as FTNT (11). This means that PANW’s stock grew similarly to FTNT’s over the last 12 months.
FTNT's SMR Rating (12) in the Computer Communications industry is significantly better than the same rating for PANW (89). This means that FTNT’s stock grew significantly faster than PANW’s over the last 12 months.
PANW's Price Growth Rating (7) in the Computer Communications industry is in the same range as FTNT (8). This means that PANW’s stock grew similarly to FTNT’s over the last 12 months.
PANW's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Computer Communications industry is in the same range as FTNT (9). This means that PANW’s stock grew similarly to FTNT’s over the last 12 months.
| FTNT | PANW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 68% | 3 days ago 71% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 73% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 68% | 3 days ago 78% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 74% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 70% | 5 days ago 77% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 63% | 3 days ago 68% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 65% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
FTNT’s FA Score shows that 4 FA rating(s) are green while PANW’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- FTNT’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- PANW’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
FTNT’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PANW’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- FTNT’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- PANW’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
FTNT (@Computer Communications) experienced а +2.13% price change this week, while PANW (@Computer Communications) price change was +3.07% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Computer Communications industry was +0.26%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.59%, and the average quarterly price growth was +26.61%.
Reported Earning Dates
FTNT is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
PANW is expected to report earnings on Nov 12, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Computer Communications (+0.26% weekly)Computer communications industry develops technology that allows computing devices to exchange data with each other using connections/data links between nodes. Common types of computer network include Cloud (IAN), Internet, Wide (WAN, Local (LAN)/Wireless(WLAN) etc. The industry is an ever-more important part of technology, and is set to become even bigger as the Internet of Things (IoT) rapidly forays into the various aspects of our lives. Cisco Systems, Inc., Palo Alto Networks, Inc. and Arista Networks, Inc., Fortinet, Inc. are some of the major computer communications companies.
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PANW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PANW has been closely correlated with CRWD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 82% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if PANW jumps, then CRWD could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To PANW | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANW | 100% | -3.89% | ||
| CRWD - PANW | 82% Closely correlated | -2.90% | ||
| FTNT - PANW | 76% Closely correlated | -2.92% | ||
| OKTA - PANW | 69% Closely correlated | -5.54% | ||
| RBRK - PANW | 63% Loosely correlated | -3.73% | ||
| S - PANW | 62% Loosely correlated | -6.67% | ||
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