Right. So, the stock market. It’s… a thing. I’ve been trying to be sensible, you see. Less impulse buying of cashmere scarves, more long-term investments. It’s a work in progress. And Palo Alto Networks (PANW 0.91%) keeps appearing on my radar. Apparently, if I’d been slightly more financially astute five years ago – a big ‘if’, obviously – a mere $100 investment would now be worth $255. Which, let’s be honest, would have covered a lot of scarves. Or, you know, been a responsible financial decision.
If I’d really gone for it – let’s say, $10,000 – I’d be looking at $25,475 now. That’s… significant. It’s the kind of number that makes you briefly contemplate quitting your job and becoming a professional investor. Then you remember you’re mostly good at making tea and panicking, and the idea fades. Still, 20.6% annualized returns versus the S&P 500’s 12.6%? That’s… impressive. It’s the sort of thing that makes you feel vaguely inadequate, even though it’s just numbers on a screen.
But dwelling on the past is so… past. I’m trying to focus on the future, which is terrifying enough without revisiting past financial blunders. The question is, can it continue? Is there still potential? It seems to be heading in the right direction, and the valuation doesn’t appear completely insane. Which, in this market, is a definite plus. I’ve made a list, actually. A ‘Potential Investments’ list. It’s mostly filled with companies I don’t understand, but PANW is looking reasonably promising.
Apparently, they’re simplifying things, moving towards AI-powered platforms. Which sounds… complicated. But also potentially lucrative. And they’re doing this subscription thing, which, as everyone knows, is the holy grail of investing. Recurring revenue. It’s like a monthly magazine subscription, but for cybersecurity. Much more sensible, really.
Their last fiscal year (ended July 31, 2025, if you’re keeping track – I am, in a slightly obsessive way) saw revenue growth of 15%. And they’re predicting 14% for the current year. Nikesh Arora, the CEO, apparently said something about “fragmented defense” being a problem. Which, frankly, sounds like my dating life. But the point is, people are realizing they need proper cybersecurity. Which is good for PANW, and good for everyone, really. Assuming we don’t all get hacked.
The forward price-to-earnings ratio is 49, which is slightly below their five-year average of 54. That’s… encouraging. It suggests it’s not wildly overvalued. Which, in this market, is practically a miracle. I’ve been reading a lot about cybersecurity, trying to sound intelligent at dinner parties. It’s a surprisingly fascinating field. And, crucially, it seems like the demand is only going to increase. Which means PANW, and other companies like it, could be a good bet.
Units of Cryptocurrency Lost: 12. Hours Spent Watching Charts: 9. Number of Panicked Texts to Friends: 24. Will become disciplined long-term investor: Still working on it.
Read More
- 2025 Crypto Wallets: Secure, Smart, and Surprisingly Simple!
- Wuchang Fallen Feathers Save File Location on PC
- Brown Dust 2 Mirror Wars (PvP) Tier List – July 2025
- Gold Rate Forecast
- HSR 3.7 breaks Hidden Passages, so here’s a workaround
- Nvidia vs AMD: The AI Dividend Duel of 2026
- Elden Ring’s Fire Giant Has Been Beaten At Level 1 With Only Bare Fists
- HSR Fate/stay night — best team comps and bond synergies
- MicroStrategy’s $1.44B Cash Wall: Panic Room or Party Fund? 🎉💰
- Where to Change Hair Color in Where Winds Meet
2026-02-20 03:12