Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) vs Western Digital Corporation (WDC)
WDC leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. and Western Digital Corporation 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).
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
$279.62Technology
WDC
Western Digital Corporation
$562.92Technology
Total return — PANW vs WDC
growth of $100 · last 14yPANW +3059.5%WDC +2223.3%PANW compounded faster
PANW WDC
PANW vs WDC: by the numbers
- •WDC is the larger company ($194.03B vs $190.56B market cap).
- •WDC trades at the lower earnings multiple (32.96 vs 243.15 P/E).
- •WDC converts more revenue to profit (55.07% vs 7.95% net margin).
- •PANW grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.62% vs -6.28% CAGR).
- •WDC pays a dividend (0.09% yield) while PANW does not currently pay one.
Which is better, PANW or WDC?
Metric tally: PANW 5 · WDC 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueWDC(lower P/E)
GrowthPANW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityWDC(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | PANW | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 243.15 | 32.96● |
| Forward P/E | 68.62 | 32.14● |
| P/S ratio | 19.61 | 17.97● |
| P/B ratio | 7.52● | 21.87 |
| PEG ratio | 3.50 | 2.55● |
| EV / EBITDA | 117.46 | 28.04● |
| FCF yield | 2.06%● | 1.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | PANW | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 71.94%● | 45.43% |
| Operating margin | 9.65% | 30.78%● |
| Net margin | 7.95% | 55.07%● |
| ROE | 3.05% | 67.00%● |
| ROIC | 5.67% | 21.53%● |
Dividends
| Metric | PANW | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 0.09% |
| Payout ratio | — | 9.42% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PANW | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 21.62%● | -6.28% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 69.46%● | 12.92% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 25.30% | 78.08%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.59% | 58.48%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PANW or WDC?
- It depends on your goal. value: WDC (lower P/E); growth: PANW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: WDC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, WDC leads 11 to 5.
- Is PANW or WDC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, WDC is cheaper: PANW trades at a 243.15 P/E and WDC at 32.96.
- Which has grown faster, PANW or WDC?
- Over the past five years, PANW grew revenue faster — PANW at a 21.62% CAGR versus WDC at -6.28%.
- Does PANW or WDC pay a bigger dividend?
- WDC pays a dividend (0.09% yield) while PANW does not currently pay one.
- Is PANW or WDC more profitable?
- WDC runs the higher net margin — PANW at 7.95% versus WDC at 55.07%.
- Which has been the better investment, PANW or WDC?
- Over the past 10-year, WDC delivered the higher annualized total return — PANW at 29.01% versus WDC at 33.71%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Palo Alto Networks P/E ratioWestern Digital P/E ratioPalo Alto Networks dividend yieldWestern Digital dividend yieldPalo Alto Networks ROEWestern Digital ROEPalo Alto Networks operating marginWestern Digital operating marginPalo Alto Networks revenue growthWestern Digital revenue growthPalo Alto Networks free cash flowWestern Digital free cash flow
Palo Alto Networks & Western Digital 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.