C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW)
PANW leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and Palo Alto Networks, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AI vs PANW
growth of $100 · last 6yAI -88.2%PANW +455.2%PANW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AI PANW
AI vs PANW: by the numbers
- •PANW is the larger company ($190.56B vs $1.55B market cap).
- •PANW is profitable (7.95% net margin) while AI runs a net loss (-187.95%).
- •PANW grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.62% vs 6.44% CAGR).
Which is better, AI or PANW?
Metric tally: AI 2 · PANW 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthPANW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPANW(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AI | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 243.15 |
| Forward P/E | — | 68.62 |
| P/S ratio | 6.37● | 19.61 |
| P/B ratio | 2.44● | 7.52 |
| PEG ratio | — | 3.50 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 117.46 |
| FCF yield | — | 2.06% |
Profitability
| Metric | AI | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.92% | 71.94%● |
| Operating margin | -194.86% | 9.65%● |
| Net margin | -187.95% | 7.95%● |
| ROE | -71.95% | 3.05%● |
| ROIC | -68.71% | 5.67%● |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AI | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.44% | 21.62%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | — | 69.46% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | 25.30% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -29.02% | 35.59%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AI or PANW?
- It depends on your goal. growth: PANW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PANW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PANW leads 7 to 2.
- Which has grown faster, AI or PANW?
- Over the past five years, PANW grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus PANW at 21.62%.
- Is AI or PANW more profitable?
- PANW runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus PANW at 7.95%.
- Which has been the better investment, AI or PANW?
- Over the past 5-year, PANW delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus PANW at 29.01%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
C3.ai P/E ratioPalo Alto Networks P/E ratioC3.ai dividend yieldPalo Alto Networks dividend yieldC3.ai ROEPalo Alto Networks ROEC3.ai operating marginPalo Alto Networks operating marginC3.ai revenue growthPalo Alto Networks revenue growthC3.ai free cash flowPalo Alto Networks free cash flow
C3.ai & Palo Alto Networks appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.