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Stock Comparison · Single-driver result

Guidewire Software vs Palo Alto Networks: Which Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?

Palo Alto Networks holds the cleaner structural position, with profitability as the main driver and growth adding further support. Guidewire Software still has the edge on growth, which keeps the comparison from looking entirely one-sided. Both sides have seen trend damage — neither carries a clear market edge right now. With both trends damaged, the structural comparison carries most of the weight here.

The comparison is based on similar long-term financial trajectories, not sector labels.

Updated 2026-04-05

The comparison is mainly decided in profitability, with the rest of the profile carrying less weight. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. leads by 10 points on the overall comparison score.

Trajectory Similarity
0.74
Similar
Peer-set rank: #14
within Guidewire Software, Inc.'s functional peer set

This pair is matched through long-term financial trajectory similarity within the selected peer universe.

This level of similarity signals a strong structural match, even though some dimensions still separate the two companies.

The strongest overlap appears in investment intensity and revenue stability.

Similarity drivers
investment intensityrevenue stability
How to read the score
0.85–1.00 · Very similar0.70–0.84 · Similar0.55–0.69 · Moderately similarbelow 0.55 · Loose match
Peer-Relative Score
GWRE
Guidewire Software, Inc.
44
Peer-Score
Signal qualityHigh
vs
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
54
Peer-Score
Signal qualityHigh

Scores reflect position relative to comparable companies with similar long-term financial trajectories.

The clearest separation appears in profitability.

Dimension spread: GWRE vs PANW Profitability 20 65 Stability 59 71 Valuation 29 25 Growth 90 63 GWRE PANW
Gap Ranking
#1 Profitability +45
#2 Growth +27
#3 Stability +12
#4 Valuation +4
Price Setup

Left means cheaper relative valuation. Higher means stronger structure.

Price setup map for GWRE and PANW Stronger + cheaper Stronger + richer Weaker + cheaper Weaker + richer GWREPANW Relative valuation Structural strength

The setup remains mixed because the stronger profile and the more supportive price setup do not sit on the same side.

Valuation position uses peer-relative PE percentile (idx_pct_pe) where available.

Relative Position vs Comparable Companies
Profitability
On profitability, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. ranks near the top of the group; Guidewire Software, Inc. sits in the weaker half.
Growth
On growth, the edge is clear — both rank well, but Guidewire Software, Inc. sits noticeably higher.
Profitability — Dominant Gap
GWRE
20
PANW
65
Gap+45in favour of PANW

Capital efficiency adds support, with a 10-point ROIC advantage.

What keeps the gap from being one-sided

A meaningful counterforce remains in growth, which keeps the comparison from looking completely one-sided.

What this means for the comparison

The profitability edge is decisive, even though current pricing and growth still lean somewhat toward Guidewire Software, Inc..

Explore full peer positioning in AssetNext

Break down the GWRE vs PANW comparison across all dimensions with the full interactive tool.

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Other comparisons with conflicting dimension signals

Explore how GWRE and PANW each compare against other companies in their peer groups.

Rule-based, descriptive analysis only. Derived from peer percentile dimensions. Not investment advice. Peer groups are determined algorithmically based on structural similarity — not by sector classification alone.

How AssetNext Peer Scores Work

AssetNext scores reflect each company's structural position within its functional peer group — not a ranking against all stocks simultaneously. Peers are identified by similarity across eight financial dimensions, including revenue growth trajectory, margin structure, capital intensity, and earnings stability. A score of 75 means the company ranks in the top quartile within its own peer group, not the entire market.

Four dimension scores drive the overall peer score: Growth (revenue trajectory and expansion dynamics), Quality (margin structure and capital efficiency), Valuation (peer-relative pricing on standard multiples), and Stability (earnings consistency and financial predictability). Each dimension is scored 0–100 relative to the peer group, then combined into an overall peer score using equal weighting.

Scores are recalculated periodically as underlying financial data is updated. All analysis is descriptive and rule-based — AssetNext describes structural realities and never issues buy, sell or hold recommendations.