CGNT
Cognyte Software Ltd.
Software - Infrastructure
Market Cap$793M
5Y Perf.-61.9%
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Stock Comparison
CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
Software - Infrastructure
Market Cap$138.16B
5Y Perf.+229.1%
CRWD
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.
Software - Infrastructure
Market Cap$128.13B
5Y Perf.+134.1%
CHKP
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
Software - Infrastructure
Market Cap$12.05B
5Y Perf.+4.8%
CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CGNT | PANW | CRWD | CHKP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Infrastructure |
| Market Cap | $793M | $138.16B | $128.13B | $12.05B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $377M | $9.89B | $4.81B | $2.76B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-5M | $1.28B | $-183M | $1.06B |
| Gross Margin | 70.9% | 73.5% | 74.9% | 85.0% |
| Operating Margin | 0.9% | 14.4% | -5.4% | 29.8% |
| Forward P/E | 46.9x | 53.3x | 103.9x | 11.1x |
| Total Debt | $36M | $338M | $820M | $1.97B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $113M | $2.27B | $5.23B | $1.80B |
CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CGNT
PANW
CRWD
CHKP
| Stock | Feb 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognyte Software Lt… (CGNT) | 100 | 38.1 | -61.9% |
| Palo Alto Networks,… (PANW) | 100 | 329.1 | +229.1% |
| CrowdStrike Holding… (CRWD) | 100 | 234.1 | +134.1% |
| Check Point Softwar… (CHKP) | 100 | 104.8 | +4.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CHKP leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CGNT
Cognyte Software Ltd.
The Specific-Use Pick
CGNT plays a supporting role in this comparison — it may shine differently against other peers.
Best for: technology exposure
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
The Secondary Option
PANW lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: technology exposure
CRWD
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.
The Growth Play
CRWD is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Rev growth 21.7%, EPS growth -7.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 29.0%
- 7.7% 10Y total return vs PANW's 7.5%
- 21.7% revenue growth vs CHKP's 6.3%
- +19.7% vs CHKP's -47.7%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
CHKP
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
The Income Pick
CHKP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 0.36
- Lower volatility, beta 0.36, Low D/E 68.4%, current ratio 2.05x
- Beta 0.36, current ratio 2.05x
- Lower P/E (11.1x vs 103.9x)
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CRWD | 21.7% revenue growth vs CHKP's 6.3% |
| Value | CHKP | Lower P/E (11.1x vs 103.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | CHKP | 38.4% margin vs CRWD's -3.8% |
| Stability / Safety | CHKP | Beta 0.36 vs CRWD's 1.35 |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | CRWD | +19.7% vs CHKP's -47.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CHKP | 15.8% ROA vs CRWD's -1.9%, ROIC 23.2% vs -193.7% |
CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2025
CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCHKPLAGGINGPANW
Who Leads Where
CHKP leads in 3 of 6 categories
CRWD leads 1 • CGNT leads 0 • PANW leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓PANWPalo Alto Networks, I…
0leads
CGNTCognyte Software Ltd.
0leads
CRWDCrowdStrike Holdings,…
1leads
CHKPCheck Point Software …
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CRWDvs CGNTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CHKP4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CHKP3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CHKP5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CRWD4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHKP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PANW is the larger business by revenue, generating $9.9B annually — 26.3x CGNT's $377M. CHKP is the more profitable business, keeping 38.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CRWD's -3.8%. On growth, CRWD holds the edge at +23.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CGNTCognyte Software … | PANWPalo Alto Network… | CRWDCrowdStrike Holdi… | CHKPCheck Point Softw… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $377M | $9.9B | $4.8B | $2.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $16M | $1.9B | $22M | $909M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$5M | $1.3B | -$183M | $1.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $11M | $4.1B | $1.2B | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +70.9% | +73.5% | +74.9% | +85.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +0.9% | +14.4% | -5.4% | +29.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -1.2% | +13.0% | -3.8% | +38.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | +41.1% | +25.8% | +47.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.5% | +14.9% | +23.3% | +4.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +173.6% | +57.9% | +140.5% | +5.8% |
CHKP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CHKP leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.0x trailing earnings, CHKP trades at a 90% valuation discount to PANW's 122.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CHKP's 13.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CRWD's 1031.7x.
| Metric | CGNTCognyte Software … | PANWPalo Alto Network… | CRWDCrowdStrike Holdi… | CHKPCheck Point Softw… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $793M | $138.2B | $128.1B | $12.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $715M | $136.2B | $123.7B | $12.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -64.71x | 122.83x | -778.06x | 12.01x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 46.93x | 53.30x | 103.89x | 11.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 1.20x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 83.91x | 85.88x | 1031.68x | 13.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.26x | 14.98x | 26.63x | 4.42x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.64x | 17.82x | 29.19x | 4.41x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 23.59x | 39.82x | 97.79x | 9.97x |
CHKP leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHKP leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHKP delivers a 36.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $36 in annual profit, vs $-5 for CRWD. PANW carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CHKP's 0.68x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CHKP scores 6/9 vs CRWD's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CGNTCognyte Software … | PANWPalo Alto Network… | CRWDCrowdStrike Holdi… | CHKPCheck Point Softw… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.0% | +13.6% | -4.6% | +36.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.9% | +5.1% | -1.9% | +15.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -2.5% | +17.1% | -193.7% | +23.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.8% | +8.9% | -2.7% | +17.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.16x | 0.04x | 0.18x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$77M | -$1.9B | -$4.4B | $172M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $113M | $2.3B | $5.2B | $1.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $36M | $338M | $820M | $2.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 21.71x | 1559.00x | -6.06x | — |
CHKP leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CRWD leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PANW five years ago would be worth $34,443 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,532 for CGNT. Over the past 12 months, CRWD leads with a +19.7% total return vs CHKP's -47.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CRWD at 56.3% vs CHKP's -1.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CGNTCognyte Software … | PANWPalo Alto Network… | CRWDCrowdStrike Holdi… | CHKPCheck Point Softw… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +23.6% | +9.6% | +11.5% | -36.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +13.4% | +4.5% | +19.7% | -47.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +155.8% | +105.2% | +281.9% | -5.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -54.7% | +244.4% | +167.3% | -3.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -60.7% | +746.7% | +772.0% | +40.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +36.8% | +27.1% | +56.3% | -1.9% |
CRWD leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CGNT and CHKP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CHKP is the less volatile stock with a 0.36 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CRWD's 1.35 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CGNT currently trades 94.3% from its 52-week high vs CHKP's 49.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CGNTCognyte Software … | PANWPalo Alto Network… | CRWDCrowdStrike Holdi… | CHKPCheck Point Softw… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.27x | 1.02x | 1.35x | 0.36x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $11.66 | $223.61 | $566.90 | $233.78 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.29 | $139.57 | $342.72 | $112.23 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.3% | +87.9% | +89.2% | +49.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 66.7 | 61.6 | 61.7 | 30.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 496K | 7.5M | 3.6M | 1.3M |
Evenly matched — CGNT and CHKP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: CGNT as "Hold", PANW as "Buy", CRWD as "Buy", CHKP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 33.2% upside for CHKP (target: $154) vs -2.3% for CGNT (target: $11).
| Metric | CGNTCognyte Software … | PANWPalo Alto Network… | CRWDCrowdStrike Holdi… | CHKPCheck Point Softw… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.75 | $207.85 | $528.24 | $153.94 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 86 | 65 | 63 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +11.6% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
CHKP leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). CRWD leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallCheck Point Software Techno… (CHKP)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
CGNT vs PANW vs CRWD vs CHKP: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.
(CRWD) is the stronger pick with 21. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 3% for Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP). Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) offers the better valuation at 12. 0x trailing P/E (11. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) a "Buy" — based on 86 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP?
On trailing P/E, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
(CHKP) is the cheapest at 12. 0x versus Palo Alto Networks, Inc. at 122. 8x. On forward P/E, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. is actually cheaper at 11. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP?
Over the past 5 years, Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
(PANW) delivered a total return of +244. 4%, compared to -54. 7% for Cognyte Software Ltd. (CGNT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CRWD returned +772. 0% versus CGNT's -60. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
(CHKP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 36β versus CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 35β — meaning CRWD is approximately 277% more volatile than CHKP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 68% for Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.
(CRWD) is pulling ahead at 21. 7% versus 6. 3% for Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. grew EPS 29. 0% year-over-year, compared to -725. 9% for CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CRWD leads at 29. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP?
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
(CHKP) is the more profitable company, earning 38. 8% net margin versus -3. 4% for Cognyte Software Ltd. — meaning it keeps 38. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CHKP leads at 30. 5% versus -3. 4% for CRWD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CHKP leads at 85. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
(CHKP) trades at 11. 1x forward P/E versus 103. 9x for CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. — 92. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHKP: 33. 2% to $153. 94.
08Which pays a better dividend — CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is CGNT or PANW or CRWD or CHKP better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
(CHKP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 36)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CHKP: +40. 1%, CGNT: -60. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CGNT and PANW and CRWD and CHKP?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CGNT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PANW is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CRWD is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CHKP is a mid-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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