Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know

In the latest close session, Palo Alto Networks (PANW) was up +1.56% at $206.80. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.34% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.42%. Heading into today, shares of the security software maker had gained 6.88% over the past month, lagging the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 8.07% and outpacing the S&P 500's gain of 3.54%.Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Palo Alto Networks in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $0.89, signifying a 14.10% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $2.46 billion, up 15.03% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $3.78 per share and a revenue of $10.43 billion, demonstrating changes of +13.17% and +13.06%, respectively, from the preceding year. Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Palo Alto Networks. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits. Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model. The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.21% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Right now, Palo Alto Networks possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Looking at valuation, Palo Alto Networks is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 53.88. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 67.84. Also, we should mention that PANW has a PEG ratio of 2.73. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Security industry held an average PEG ratio of 2.76. The Security industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 152, finds itself in the bottom 39% echelons of all 250+ industries. The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1. You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com. Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is HereThe AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.See "2nd Wave" AI stocks now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks