Head-to-head · free
Microsoft vs Palo Alto Networks
MSFT vs PANW — return on capital, cash generation, margins and balance sheet side by side.
MSFT
5 / 8
measures where MSFT leads
PANW
3 / 8
measures where PANW leads
A simple count of which company scores better on each measure — not a recommendation to buy or sell.
| Measure | MSFT · FY2026 | PANW · FY2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $331.8B | $11.5B |
| Net income | $133.7B | $307.0M |
| Revenue growth (yearly, multi-year) | 13.7% | 20.2% |
| Free cash flow | $67.0B | — |
| Free cash flow margin | 20.2% | — |
| Net cash / (debt) | (107.9B) | — |
| ROIC | 27.5% | 2.1% |
| Return on equity | 34.0% | 1.7% |
| Gross margin | 67.9% | 70.4% |
| Operating margin | 46.8% | 6.1% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.10x | -0.48x |
Figures are as reported by each company; latest fiscal year shown.
Where Microsoft's cash went (FY2026)
- Capital spending
- $115.9B
- Buybacks
- $22.3B
- Dividends
- $26.4B
- Acquisitions
- $1.7B
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- (3.0B)
Where Palo Alto Networks's cash went (FY2026)
- Capital spending
- —
- Buybacks
- —
- Dividends
- —
- Acquisitions
- —
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- —
Ask which business is stronger
"Which one reinvests at higher returns?" "Who carries more risk in its filings?" Get answers drawn straight from both companies' filings.
Compare them free