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NOW vs PANW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? ServiceNow (NOW) vs. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ServiceNow (NOW) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) both operate in the enterprise software space, with NOW focused on IT service management and PANW on cybersecurity platforms.
- In recent weeks, both stocks rallied on positive sector sentiment following strong earnings from peers like Salesforce and CrowdStrike, with NOW gaining approximately 10% on August 28, 2026, and PANW advancing nearly 10-12% on August 27, 2026.
- ServiceNow (NOW) reported second-quarter results in July 2026 that beat estimates, with subscription revenue growth reaccelerating to 23% in constant currency and AI annual contract value (ACV) surpassing $1 billion.
- Palo Alto Networks (PANW) has delivered stronger year-to-date performance, with gains exceeding 100%, positioning it near its 52-week high amid robust cybersecurity demand.
- ServiceNow (NOW) carries a lower valuation multiple relative to Palo Alto Networks (PANW) but faces higher debt levels, while PANW maintains a larger market capitalization and benefits from next-generation security growth.
- Market sentiment for both has improved with easing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) disruption in enterprise software and continued spending on cybersecurity infrastructure.
Introduction
ServiceNow (NOW) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) represent two prominent technology companies in the enterprise software sector, with overlapping exposure to digital transformation and security needs. ServiceNow (NOW) provides cloud-based platforms for IT service management, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) specializes in cybersecurity solutions. This comparison appeals to institutional investors, growth-oriented traders, and portfolio managers seeking to evaluate relative performance, valuation, and positioning within the information technology sector amid evolving artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity trends. The analysis draws on recent market activity to highlight contrasts in momentum and fundamentals.
NOW Overview and Recent Performance
ServiceNow (NOW) delivers workflow automation and digital transformation tools primarily for large enterprises. In recent market activity, the stock experienced a notable rebound following its second-quarter 2026 earnings release in July, where it reported revenue of approximately $3.99 billion and subscription growth of 23% in constant currency. Key catalysts included AI annual contract value (ACV) exceeding $1 billion and an upward revision to full-year subscription revenue guidance. Sentiment improved further in late August as peer results alleviated broader concerns about AI displacing traditional software platforms. The shares advanced around 10% on August 28, 2026, closing near $144.71, though they remain below the 52-week high of $194.73. Analysts maintain a strong buy consensus, supported by expanding AI-related offerings and high renewal rates.
PANW Overview and Recent Performance
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) offers a comprehensive cybersecurity platform encompassing network, cloud, and endpoint security. Recent market activity has reflected sustained demand for advanced threat protection, with the stock benefiting from sector-wide strength in late August. Shares rose nearly 10-12% on August 27, 2026, following positive results from cybersecurity peer CrowdStrike, reaching levels near $372 before consolidating. Year-to-date gains have exceeded 100%, placing the stock close to its 52-week high around $398-399. The company continues to emphasize next-generation security and AI-driven capabilities ahead of its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings expected on September 1, 2026. Market capitalization stands at approximately $303 billion, reflecting investor confidence in its growth trajectory within the cybersecurity space.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ServiceNow (NOW) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) differ in core business focus, with NOW emphasizing IT operations and workflow automation while PANW centers on cybersecurity infrastructure. Growth drivers for ServiceNow (NOW) include accelerating AI monetization and subscription renewals, whereas Palo Alto Networks (PANW) benefits from rising enterprise spending on threat detection and zero-trust architectures. Recent momentum has favored Palo Alto Networks (PANW) on a year-to-date basis with gains over 100%, compared with ServiceNow (NOW)’s more modest recovery from earlier lows. Risk factors include elevated valuations for both, though ServiceNow (NOW) carries higher debt relative to its cash position. Sector exposure overlaps in technology but diverges in application, with PANW more directly tied to cybersecurity cycles and NOW to broader digital transformation budgets. Market sentiment has turned constructive for both amid easing AI disruption fears and sustained technology investment.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including recent trend consistency and sector positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a slight edge to Palo Alto Networks (PANW) due to stronger year-to-date momentum and cybersecurity demand tailwinds. ServiceNow (NOW) shows improving stability following its earnings beat and AI contract value milestones, though its path has exhibited greater volatility. The assessment remains probabilistic and subject to shifts in broader market conditions or upcoming earnings results.
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 NOW is a Buy and PANW is a Hold.
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 undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
NOW’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whilePANW’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- NOW’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- PANW’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
NOW’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PANW’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- NOW’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- PANW’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
NOW (@Packaged Software) experienced а -2.38% price change this week, while PANW (@Computer Communications) price change was -10.32% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Packaged Software industry was -3.96%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.40%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.47%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Computer Communications industry was -1.84%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.07%, and the average quarterly price growth was +15.21%.
Reported Earning Dates
NOW is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
PANW is expected to report earnings on Nov 12, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Packaged Software (-3.96% weekly)Packaged software comprises multiple software programs bundled together and sold as a group. For example, Microsoft Office includes multiple applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. In some cases, buying a bundled product is cheaper than purchasing each item individually[s20] . Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corp. and Adobe are some major American packaged software makers.
@Computer Communications (-1.84% 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.
| NOW | PANW | NOW / PANW | |
| Capitalization | 146B | 272B | 54% |
| EBITDA | 3.5B | 1.99B | 176% |
| Gain YTD | -7.788 | 80.923 | -10% |
| P/E Ratio | 88.29 | 289.79 | 30% |
| Revenue | 14.7B | 10.6B | 139% |
| Total Cash | 4.66B | 3.11B | 150% |
| Total Debt | 8.45B | 2.07B | 408% |
NOW | PANW | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 81 Overvalued | 91 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 88 | 7 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 58 | 83 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 42 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 72 | 6 | |
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.
NOW's Valuation (81) in the Information Technology Services industry is in the same range as PANW (91) in the Computer Communications industry. This means that NOW’s stock grew similarly to PANW’s over the last 12 months.
PANW's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Computer Communications industry is significantly better than the same rating for NOW (88) in the Information Technology Services industry. This means that PANW’s stock grew significantly faster than NOW’s over the last 12 months.
NOW's SMR Rating (58) in the Information Technology Services industry is in the same range as PANW (83) in the Computer Communications industry. This means that NOW’s stock grew similarly to PANW’s over the last 12 months.
PANW's Price Growth Rating (38) in the Computer Communications industry is in the same range as NOW (42) in the Information Technology Services industry. This means that PANW’s stock grew similarly to NOW’s over the last 12 months.
PANW's P/E Growth Rating (6) in the Computer Communications industry is significantly better than the same rating for NOW (72) in the Information Technology Services industry. This means that PANW’s stock grew significantly faster than NOW’s over the last 12 months.
| NOW | PANW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 72% | 4 days ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 72% | 4 days ago 70% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 71% | 4 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 70% | 6 days ago 66% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 4 days ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | N/A |
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NOW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NOW has been closely correlated with CRM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 78% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NOW jumps, then CRM could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NOW | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOW | 100% | -2.97% | ||
| CRM - NOW | 78% Closely correlated | -1.97% | ||
| HUBS - NOW | 71% Closely correlated | -2.95% | ||
| SAP - NOW | 70% Closely correlated | -0.88% | ||
| ASAN - NOW | 69% Closely correlated | -12.69% | ||
| CRWD - NOW | 68% Closely correlated | -0.87% | ||
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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% | +0.40% | ||
| CRWD - PANW | 82% Closely correlated | -0.87% | ||
| FTNT - PANW | 74% Closely correlated | -0.04% | ||
| OKTA - PANW | 68% Closely correlated | +0.11% | ||
| NOW - PANW | 62% Loosely correlated | -2.97% | ||
| TENB - PANW | 61% Loosely correlated | -0.70% | ||
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