Palo Alto Networks (PANW)
NASDAQInformation TechnologySoftware - InfrastructureSnapshot 2026-11-04
$348.04-0.62%
Close 2026-11-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQInformation TechnologySoftware - InfrastructureSnapshot 2026-11-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · PANW
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within information technology on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-04.
The screen ranks PANW against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Information Technology names rated neutral grew net income 55% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=8515).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 0% of the last 5 guided quarters · -67.1% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
"The latest advancements in AI are elevating cybersecurity to the top of the CIO priority list, and will serve as durable tailwinds as we progress towards our $20 billion FY30 NGS ARR target."
Stated in 8 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “For the fiscal fourth quarter 2026, we expect: • Next-Generation Security ARR of $8.90 billion to $8.95 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 59% to 60%.” “"The latest advancements in AI are elevating cybersecurity to the top of the CIO priority list, and will serve as durable tailwinds as we progress towards our $20 billion FY30 NGS ARR target."” Revenue was $3.410 billion in 2026-Q4.
“"The latest advancements in AI are elevating cybersecurity to the top of the CIO priority list, and will serve as durable tailwinds as we progress towards our $20 billion FY30 NGS ARR target."”
“For the fiscal fourth quarter 2026, we expect: • Next-Generation Security ARR of $8.90 billion to $8.95 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 59% to 60%.”
“SANTA CLARA, Calif., February 11, 2026 —Palo Alto Networks ® (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today announced the completion of its acquisition of CyberArk, establishing Identity Secu…”
“"Our robust innovation engine, paired with the strategic acquisitions of CyberArk and Chronosphere, positions us as the data and security partner of choice in the AI era."”
“"We exited fiscal year 2025 with an acceleration in RPO, and surpassed the $10 billion revenue run-rate milestone, positioning ourselves well for sustained growth ahead."”
“"In Q3, we continued to make progress on our platformization strategy and achieved an important milestone in crossing $5 billion in Next-Gen Security ARR," said Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo…”
"Our profitable growth framework continues to scale effectively, reinforcing our confidence in achieving 40% adjusted free cash flow margin in FY28."
Stated in 6 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “We are executing ahead of our M&A integration plans and improving profitability across our businesses, which keeps us firmly on track to achieve 40% adjusted free cash flow margin in FY28," said Dipak Golechha, chief financial officer of Palo Alto Networks.” “• Adjusted free cash flow margin to be 37.5%.” Operating income was $172.000 million in 2026-Q4.
We are executing ahead of our M&A integration plans and improving profitability across our businesses, which keeps us firmly on track to achieve 40% adjusted free cash flow margin in FY28," said Dipa…
Stated in 3 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “SANTA CLARA, Calif., February 11, 2026, Palo Alto Networks ® (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today announced the completion of its acquisition of CyberArk, establishing Identity Security as a core pillar of its platformization strategy.” “In addition, integration is underway to infuse CyberArk’s best-in-class capabilities into the Palo Alto Networks security ecosystem.”
"The latest advancements in AI are elevating cybersecurity to the top of the CIO priority list, and will serve as durable tailwinds as we progress towards our $20 billion FY30 NGS ARR target."
Stated in 2 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “"The latest advancements in AI are elevating cybersecurity to the top of the CIO priority list, and will serve as durable tailwinds as we progress towards our $20 billion FY30 NGS ARR target."” “"Our robust innovation engine, paired with the strategic acquisitions of CyberArk and Chronosphere, positions us as the data and security partner of choice in the AI era."”
Pursue revenue growth through customer adoption of the company's security offerings, with FY2027 revenue guidance of $14.10 billion to $14.20 billion.
Over the trailing year it converted 4.72x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Information Technology names rated robust grew net income 62% of the time over the next year (vs 51% for the rest of the cohort, n=3136).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
19 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Information Technology names rated neutral grew net income 56% of the time over the next year (vs 55% for the rest of the cohort, n=8114).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-04.
“Our platformization approach integrates diverse security solutions into a unified, scalable platform, streamlining management and providing operational efficiencies with comprehensive protection.”
“"Our Q1 results reinforced our conviction in our differentiated platformization strategy," said Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks.”
“"Our profitable growth framework continues to scale effectively, reinforcing our confidence in achieving 40% adjusted free cash flow margin in FY28."”
“We are executing ahead of our M&A integration plans and improving profitability across our businesses, which keeps us firmly on track to achieve 40% adjusted free cash flow margin in FY28," said Dipa…”
“"This sustained profitable growth was reflected by another quarter of 30% plus operating margin and reinforces our confidence in achieving 40% plus adjusted free cash flow margin in FY’28."”
“"Our strong top-line results were complemented by continued operating efficiency and strong free cash flow generation, making us a ‘Rule-of-50’ company for the fifth consecutive year," said Dipak Gol…”
“"We again delivered strong top-line results within our profitable growth framework, as we continue to see our business scale well across the P&L," said Dipak Golechha, chief financial officer of Palo…”
“"Our platformization progress continued in Q1, driving strong financial results,” said Dipak Golechha, chief financial officer of Palo Alto Networks.”
“We are executing ahead of our M&A integration plans and improving profitability across our businesses, which keeps us firmly on track to achieve 40% adjusted free cash flow margin in FY28," said Dipa…”
“SANTA CLARA, Calif., February 11, 2026 —Palo Alto Networks ® (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today announced the completion of its acquisition of CyberArk, establishing Identity Secu…”
“"Our robust innovation engine, paired with the strategic acquisitions of CyberArk and Chronosphere, positions us as the data and security partner of choice in the AI era."”
“"The latest advancements in AI are elevating cybersecurity to the top of the CIO priority list, and will serve as durable tailwinds as we progress towards our $20 billion FY30 NGS ARR target."”
“"Our robust innovation engine, paired with the strategic acquisitions of CyberArk and Chronosphere, positions us as the data and security partner of choice in the AI era."”