Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Competitors

CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and media sentiment.

Do analysts prefer CRWD or PANW?

CrowdStrike presently has a consensus price target of $460.10, suggesting a potential upside of 5.50%. Palo Alto Networks has a consensus price target of $211.68, suggesting a potential upside of 7.84%. Given Palo Alto Networks' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Palo Alto Networks is more favorable than CrowdStrike.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
CrowdStrike	0 Sell rating(s)	19 Hold rating(s)	24 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.59
Palo Alto Networks	2 Sell rating(s)	11 Hold rating(s)	28 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.63

Is CRWD or PANW more profitable?

Palo Alto Networks has a net margin of 12.30% compared to CrowdStrike's net margin of -6.84%. Palo Alto Networks' return on equity of 17.66% beat CrowdStrike's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
CrowdStrike	-6.84%	-1.53%	-0.61%
Palo Alto Networks	12.30%	17.66%	5.56%

Does the media favor CRWD or PANW?

In the previous week, CrowdStrike had 16 more articles in the media than Palo Alto Networks. MarketBeat recorded 65 mentions for CrowdStrike and 49 mentions for Palo Alto Networks. Palo Alto Networks' average media sentiment score of 1.57 beat CrowdStrike's score of 1.22 indicating that Palo Alto Networks is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
CrowdStrike	50 Very Positive mention(s)	5 Positive mention(s)	7 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	1 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Palo Alto Networks	44 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Very Positive

Which has more volatility and risk, CRWD or PANW?

CrowdStrike has a beta of 1.12, indicating that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Palo Alto Networks has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Which has better valuation & earnings, CRWD or PANW?

Palo Alto Networks has higher revenue and earnings than CrowdStrike. CrowdStrike 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
CrowdStrike	$3.95B	27.68	-$19.27M	-$1.19	-366.47
Palo Alto Networks	$9.22B	14.24	$1.13B	$1.60	122.68

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of CRWD or PANW?

71.2% of CrowdStrike shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.8% of Palo Alto Networks shares are held by institutional investors. 3.3% of CrowdStrike shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of Palo Alto Networks shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Palo Alto Networks beats CrowdStrike on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.