International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vs Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW)
A side-by-side comparison of International Business Machines Corporation and Palo Alto Networks, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation
$221.65TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 12:45 PM EDT
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
$320.39TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 12:45 PM EDT
Total return — IBM vs PANW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yIBM +115.7%PANW +3449.7%PANW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
IBM PANW
IBM vs PANW: by the numbers
- •PANW is the larger company ($261.11B vs $208.82B market cap).
- •IBM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.04 vs 273.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •IBM converts more revenue to profit (15.52% vs 7.95% net margin).
- •PANW grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.62% vs 1.13% CAGR).
- •IBM pays a dividend (2.97% yield), while PANW has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IBM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.04 | 273.17 |
| Forward P/E | 18.36 | 83.25 |
| P/S ratio | 3.12 | 22.04 |
| P/B ratio | 6.26 | 8.45 |
| PEG ratio | 0.35 | 3.93 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.91 | 122.54 |
| FCF yield | 6.76% | 1.84% |
Profitability
| Metric | IBM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 58.43% | 71.94% |
| Operating margin | 17.86% | 9.65% |
| Net margin | 15.52% | 7.95% |
| ROE | 31.13% | 3.05% |
| ROIC | 10.37% | 5.67% |
Dividends
| Metric | IBM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.97% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 59.24% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IBM | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 1.13% | 21.62% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 12.59% | 69.46% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.01% | 25.30% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.24% | 36.42% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, IBM or PANW?
- IBM has the lower trailing P/E: IBM trades at 20.04 and PANW at 273.17. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, IBM or PANW?
- Over the past five years, PANW grew revenue faster — IBM at a 1.13% CAGR versus PANW at 21.62%.
- Does IBM or PANW pay a bigger dividend?
- IBM pays a dividend (2.97% yield), while PANW has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is IBM or PANW more profitable?
- IBM runs the higher net margin — IBM at 15.52% versus PANW at 7.95%.
- How have IBM and PANW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, IBM delivered 8.41% and PANW delivered 30.58% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Business Machines P/E ratioPalo Alto Networks P/E ratioInternational Business Machines dividend yieldPalo Alto Networks dividend yieldInternational Business Machines ROEPalo Alto Networks ROEInternational Business Machines operating marginPalo Alto Networks operating marginInternational Business Machines revenue growthPalo Alto Networks revenue growthInternational Business Machines free cash flowPalo Alto Networks free cash flow
International Business Machines & 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 July 30, 2026.