Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

QCOM leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. logo
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
$190.56B
$279.62Technology
QUALCOMM Incorporated logo
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$223.15B
$211.72Technology

Total return — PANW vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 14y
PANW +3059.5%QCOM +262.3%PANW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002015201820212024$3,160$362
PANW QCOM

PANW vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • •QCOM is the larger company ($223.15B vs $190.56B market cap).
  • •QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 243.15 P/E).
  • •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 7.95% net margin).
  • •PANW grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.62% vs 8.63% CAGR).
  • •QCOM pays a dividend (1.70% yield) while PANW does not currently pay one.

Which is better, PANW or QCOM?

Metric tally: PANW 7 · QCOM 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthPANW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityQCOM(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPANWQCOM
P/E ratio243.1522.72●
Forward P/E68.6219.72●
P/S ratio19.615.10●
P/B ratio7.52●8.32
PEG ratio3.50●3.96
EV / EBITDA117.4616.71●
FCF yield2.06%5.51%●

Profitability

MetricPANWQCOM
Gross margin71.94%●54.80%
Operating margin9.65%25.52%●
Net margin7.95%22.31%●
ROE3.05%36.38%●
ROIC5.67%13.15%●

Dividends

MetricPANWQCOM
Dividend yield—1.70%
Payout ratio—70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPANWQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)21.62%●8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)69.46%●5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)25.30%●9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)35.59%●11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PANW or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: PANW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: QCOM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 9 to 7.
Is PANW or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: PANW trades at a 243.15 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, PANW or QCOM?
Over the past five years, PANW grew revenue faster — PANW at a 21.62% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does PANW or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
QCOM pays a dividend (1.70% yield) while PANW does not currently pay one.
Is PANW or QCOM more profitable?
QCOM runs the higher net margin — PANW at 7.95% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, PANW or QCOM?
Over the past 10-year, PANW delivered the higher annualized total return — PANW at 29.01% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full PANW analysisFull QCOM analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Palo Alto Networks P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioPalo Alto Networks dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldPalo Alto Networks ROEQUALCOMM ROEPalo Alto Networks operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginPalo Alto Networks revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthPalo Alto Networks free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow

Palo Alto Networks & QUALCOMM appear in these rankings

Fastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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 14, 2026.