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Microsoft vs Palo Alto Networks: how do the stocks compare?

MSFT and PANW side by side, in plain English. This is an explanation of the two businesses, not a recommendation to buy either one.

MSFTPANW
TickerMSFTPANW
ExchangeNASDAQNASDAQ
SectorTechnologyTechnology
IndustrySoftware InfrastructureSoftware Infrastructure
Sizemega capmega cap
Market value3.84 trillion dollars328.6 billion dollars

Microsoft (MSFT)

Microsoft sells the software most offices run on, like Windows, Word and Excel, and rents out giant computers over the internet. Companies pay it a little every month for tools they use every day.

  • How fast Azure cloud sales are growing.
  • Demand for its AI tools, including Copilot and its partnership with OpenAI.
  • Spending on AI data centers, which is costly.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW)

Palo Alto Networks trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker PANW. It is a mega cap company in the software infrastructure industry, part of the technology sector, with a market value of about 328.6 billion dollars.

  • How fast sales are growing, especially in cloud and AI.
  • New product launches and customer wins.
  • Competition, regulation and how much the company spends on research.

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Common questions

What is the difference between MSFT and PANW?

Microsoft sells the software most offices run on, like Windows, Word and Excel, and rents out giant computers over the internet. Companies pay it a little every month for tools they use every day. Palo Alto Networks trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker PANW. It is a mega cap company in the software infrastructure industry, part of the technology sector, with a market value of about 328.6 billion dollars.

Which is bigger, Microsoft or Palo Alto Networks?

Microsoft has the larger market value, at about 3.84 trillion dollars.

Are Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks in the same industry?

Yes. Both are in the software infrastructure industry.

Educational information, not financial advice. Figures are approximate and do not include live prices.