Palo Alto Networks Inc vs QUALCOMM, Inc. — how do they compare? Palo Alto Networks Inc trades at $336.61 (market cap $274.64B), while QUALCOMM, Inc. trades at $176.24 (market cap $185.94B). The key difference: Palo Alto Networks Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and QUALCOMM, Inc. pays a 2.11% dividend while Palo Alto Networks Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PANW | QCOM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $274.64B | $185.94B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $396.00 | $251.10 |
52-Week Low | $141.67 | $124.07 |
Enterprise Value | $273.60B | $192.90B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.11% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) trades at $336.98, up 1.12% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. Revenue grew to $9.22B in FY2025, with strong gross margins of 71.94%, but valuation ratios are elevated (P/E 293.03, P/S 23.39). The company is set to join the S&P 500, reflecting its leadership in AI cybersecurity, though rising costs and premium pricing pose challenges.
Outlook remains positive due to AI-driven security demand and platformization strategy, but high valuation and competitive pressures warrant caution. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $410.48 price target, yet near-term volatility may persist as the stock digests recent gains and faces execution risks in a dynamic cybersecurity landscape.
Qualcomm (QCOM) trades at $176.4, up 4.54% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and oscillators. The company reported revenue of $44.28B in 2025, with a net income margin of 21.01%. Recent earnings show mixed results, beating estimates in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 but missing in Q2 2026. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $200.56 price target, while news highlights AI and data center growth amid smartphone market challenges.
The outlook for QCOM is cautiously optimistic, driven by AI and data center expansion, but near-term risks include smartphone demand softness and margin pressures. Investment opportunity lies in diversification beyond handsets, though competition from Nvidia and Intel poses a threat. Earnings growth and execution on AI initiatives are key catalysts for upside.
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Latest headlines on both assets
Palo Alto Networks is a pure-play cybersecurity vendor that sells security appliances, subscriptions, and support into enterprises, government entities, and service providers. The company's product portfolio includes firewall appliances, virtual firewalls, endpoint protection, cloud security, and cybersecurity analytics. The Santa Clara, California, firm was established in 2005 and sells its products worldwide.
Read more on PANW →Qualcomm develops and licenses wireless technology and designs chips for smartphones. The company's key patents revolve around CDMA and OFDMA technologies, which are standards in wireless communications that are the backbone of all 3G and 4G networks. The firm is a leader in 5G network technology as well. Qualcomm's IP is licensed by virtually all wireless device makers. The firm is also the world's largest wireless chip vendor, supplying nearly every premier handset maker with leading-edge processors. Qualcomm also sells RF-front end modules into smartphones and chips into automotive and Internet of Things markets.
Read more on QCOM →