Palo Alto Networks Management
Management criteria checks 2/4
Palo Alto Networks' CEO is Nikesh Arora, appointed in Jun 2018, has a tenure of 8.25 years. total yearly compensation is $99.74M, comprised of 1% salary and 99% bonuses, including company stock and options. directly owns 0.13% of the company’s shares, worth $413.32M. The average tenure of the management team and the board of directors is 5 years and 11.6 years respectively.
Key information
Nikesh Arora
Chief executive officer
US$99.7m
Total compensation
| CEO salary percentage | 1.00% |
| CEO tenure | 8.3yrs |
| CEO ownership | 0.1% |
| Management average tenure | 5yrs |
| Board average tenure | 11.6yrs |
Recent management updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Sep 03
PANW: AI Tailwinds And Platform Gains Will Eventually Meet Valuation Gravity
The updated analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks reflects a higher fair value estimate of about $274 per share, as analysts point to strong Q4 execution, accelerating organic ARR trends, and growing AI driven demand across the platform as key reasons for their more constructive outlook. Analyst Commentary Street research on Palo Alto Networks is broadly constructive, with many firms lifting price targets after the recent Q4 report and updated long term outlook.Seeking Alpha • Aug 29
Palo Alto Networks: Priced For A Future It Hasn't Earned Yet (Rating Downgrade)
Summary Palo Alto Networks has surged 44% since my last update, outperforming the benchmark and demonstrating robust business fundamentals. Despite stellar earnings and consistent double-beats, PANW now trades at a 90x forward P/E—almost 4x the sector median—making further multiple expansion unlikely. The cybersecurity market's projected 14% CAGR remains a tailwind, but current valuations likely already price in much of this growth. I am downgrading PANW from Strong Buy to Hold due to its premium valuation and limited room for error, despite its market leadership. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaNarrative Update • Aug 18
PANW: AI Security Hype And Rich Multiple Will Constrain Forward Returns
Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for Palo Alto Networks from about $155 to roughly $235. They cite higher assumed revenue growth, slightly adjusted discount and margin inputs, and a richer future P/E multiple that reflects consistent price target hikes across the Street tied to AI driven cybersecurity demand and platform consolidation themes.
Narrative Update • Aug 04
PANW: AI Security Demand And Consolidation Hype Will Test Rich Multiple
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has been raised from $318.32 to $336.70, with analysts pointing to sector wide multiple expansion tied to AI driven cybersecurity demand and ongoing confidence in the company’s platform consolidation story. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Palo Alto Networks clusters around two main themes.
Narrative Update • Jul 21
PANW: AI Security Demand And Recurring Revenue Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have lifted the Palo Alto Networks fair value estimate from $263.10 to $433.00, reflecting higher modeled revenue growth and a richer future P/E multiple. This is tied to expectations that AI driven security demand and recurring revenue visibility will support stronger long term earnings power, despite slightly lower margin assumptions.Narrative Update • Jul 07
PANW: AI Hype And Acquisition Uncertainty Will Pressure Rich Multiple
Palo Alto Networks' analyst fair value estimate edges up by about $8 to $318, as analysts highlight broad price target increases tied to stronger platform momentum across AI driven security, larger deal sizes, and clearer segment disclosures that help frame expectations for mid teens growth and sustained cross sell benefits. Analyst Commentary Street research on Palo Alto Networks clusters around a constructive view on execution and platform breadth, with most firms lifting valuation targets while still calling out a few areas where expectations and disclosure are being watched closely.Narrative Update • Jun 23
PANW: AI Security And Acquisition Synergies Will Shape Measured Repricing Prospects
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has been raised by about $10 to $310. Analysts point to strong Q3 execution across revenue and annual recurring revenue, rising AI driven security demand, and continued confidence in the company’s platform and acquisition contributions as key supports for higher valuation assumptions.Analysis Article • Jun 16
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Stock Valuation After Strong AI Driven Q3 Results And Optimistic Guidance
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is back in focus after reporting fiscal third quarter earnings, pairing strong revenue growth with a quarterly net loss and issuing optimistic guidance that leans heavily on rising AI driven cybersecurity demand. See our latest analysis for Palo Alto Networks. The earnings beat and upbeat guidance have come alongside strong market interest, with a 68.18% 3 month share price return and a 360.25% 5 year total shareholder return suggesting momentum has been strong over...Narrative Update • Jun 04
PANW: AI Security Platform And Acquisition Synergies Will Shape Future Repricing Potential
The analyst fair value estimate for Palo Alto Networks has been raised from about $208 to about $301. This reflects Street price target hikes into the $300 to $375 range, as analysts point to strong Q3 execution, AI-driven security demand, and continued traction for the company’s broader platform strategy.Narrative Update • May 12
PANW: AI Security And CEO Share Buying Set To Underpin Repricing
Analysts have inched their fair value estimate for Palo Alto Networks higher from $206.14 to $207.56, citing recent price target increases, supportive commentary on AI driven cybersecurity demand, and a generally constructive tone in Street research despite earlier target reductions across the sector. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Palo Alto Networks shows a mix of optimism and caution, with many firms adjusting price targets around earnings, AI related headlines, and integration updates.Narrative Update • Apr 25
PANW: AI Security Enforcement And CEO Share Buying Will Drive Repricing
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has been adjusted slightly higher to $206.14, with analysts pointing to fresh bullish coverage, CEO share purchases, and views that recent AI related cybersecurity volatility and multiple compression have pushed expectations to more conservative levels. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Palo Alto Networks reflects active debate around how to value the business after sector wide volatility tied to AI and cybersecurity headlines.Narrative Update • Apr 08
PANW: AI Cyber Enforcement Role And China Tensions Will Drive Repricing
The analyst fair value estimate for Palo Alto Networks has edged from about $207.75 to $205.96, with analysts generally citing lower sector multiples after recent cybersecurity and AI related volatility. At the same time, many still point to solid demand drivers and supportive commentary on AI as a long term tailwind for leading security platforms.Narrative Update • Mar 25
PANW: AI Security Platform And Geopolitical Role Will Drive Future Repricing
Analysts made a slight downward adjustment to the price target for Palo Alto Networks, trimming fair value estimates by about $0.41 to $207.75 as they balanced a wave of reduced targets from multiple firms with ongoing views that the company remains exposed to key cybersecurity and AI related demand drivers. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Palo Alto Networks reflects a split view, with many price targets moving lower while ratings often remain positive.Narrative Update • Mar 10
PANW: AI Security Consolidation And Geopolitical Positioning Will Drive Future Repricing
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has shifted modestly lower to $208, with analysts citing mixed reactions to recent results, a slightly lower profit margin outlook, and a higher assumed future P/E multiple. These factors are partly offset by views that AI driven security demand and broad exposure across key cybersecurity trends continue to support the story.New Narrative • Mar 06
AI Security And Identity Platforms Will Shape A Moderately Cautious Long Term Outlook
Catalysts About Palo Alto Networks Palo Alto Networks provides cybersecurity platforms that protect networks, cloud environments, identities and endpoints for enterprises around the world. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?Narrative Update • Feb 24
PANW: AI Security Platform Consolidation Will Drive Future Share Repricing
The updated analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has been reduced to $209.61 from $226.65 as analysts trim valuation multiples and fair value assumptions following Q2 earnings, while many still highlight resilient cybersecurity demand and limited disruption from emerging AI developer tools. Analyst Commentary Street research on Palo Alto Networks has turned more cautious on valuation multiples, even as many firms still flag resilient demand for cybersecurity platforms and limited impact from new AI developer tools such as Claude Code Security.
New Narrative • Feb 21
Palo Alto Networks (PANW): Collateral Damage
PANW is down 22% over the past year and 10.9% in the last seven days alone. Most people are calling it a victim of AI disruption.New Narrative • Feb 20
AI Security And Platform Consolidation Will Reshape Long-Term Prospects For This Cyber Leader
Catalysts About Palo Alto Networks Palo Alto Networks provides cybersecurity platforms and services that protect enterprise networks, cloud environments, endpoints and identities. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?Narrative Update • Feb 09
PANW: AI Security And Observability Deals Will Shape Future Share Repricing
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has been trimmed slightly to reflect a fair value adjustment of about US$1. Analysts are balancing mixed sector sentiment and acquisition-related concerns with ongoing support from firms that emphasize the company’s role in consolidating cybersecurity budgets, as well as its potential benefits from AI and observability exposure.Narrative Update • Jan 25
PANW: AI Security And Observability M&A Will Drive Future Share Gains
Analysts have made a slight downward adjustment to the Palo Alto Networks fair value estimate, trimming their blended price target by less than US$1. They are balancing enthusiasm around the company’s role in security consolidation and AI driven demand with more cautious views on valuation, acquisitions and long term growth assumptions.Narrative Update • Jan 09
PANW: AI Security And M&A Integration Will Drive Future Share Gains
Narrative Update: Palo Alto Networks Price Target Shift Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for Palo Alto Networks to US$227.60 from US$224.53. This reflects slightly adjusted assumptions around discount rate, growth, margins, and future P/E in light of mixed research views that balance concerns on decelerating sales and acquisition pricing with continued interest in the company's role in security, observability, and AI driven opportunities.Narrative Update • Dec 13
PANW: AI Platform And M&A Expansion Will Drive Long-Term Share Gains
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has edged higher by $0 to approximately $225 per share, as analysts balance concerns over decelerating growth and acquisition costs with confidence in the company’s expanding AI driven security platform, strategic M&A, and growing next generation security revenue opportunity. Analyst Commentary Street research on Palo Alto Networks remains divided, with most firms constructive on the company’s long term AI and platform strategy while a minority flag the risk that revenue growth deceleration and rich valuation could cap upside.Analysis Article • Dec 02
Increases to Palo Alto Networks, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:PANW) CEO Compensation Might Cool off for now
Key Insights Palo Alto Networks' Annual General Meeting to take place on 9th of December Total pay for CEO Nikesh Arora...Narrative Update • Nov 29
PANW: Accelerating AI Security Adoption Will Drive Share Gains Despite Recent Breach
Palo Alto Networks' analyst price target has increased by approximately $5 to $224.53, as analysts cite improved revenue growth, expanding profit margins, and continued momentum in next-generation security and AI-driven opportunities as key drivers for the higher valuation. Analyst Commentary Recent analyst research reflects a mix of optimism and caution surrounding Palo Alto Networks' growth prospects, product execution, and valuation following its latest quarterly results and announced acquisitions.Narrative Update • Nov 14
PANW: Confidence In AI Security Will Offset Breach Risks And Competitive Pressures
Palo Alto Networks' analyst price target has inched up by approximately $2 to $219.75. This increase reflects broadly improved channel checks, robust sector momentum, and optimism over the company’s strategic position in AI-driven cybersecurity.Narrative Update • Oct 31
PANW: AI Security Leadership Will Shape Future Outlook Amid New Challenges
Palo Alto Networks' fair value estimate was modestly increased to $217.67, as analysts point to a series of price target hikes and continued momentum following the CyberArk acquisition and strong positioning in the AI-powered security market. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts have raised price targets for Palo Alto Networks multiple times, reflecting confidence in the company's performance and future growth potential.Narrative Update • Oct 17
AI And Cloud Security Will Redefine The Enterprise Digital Landscape
The analyst price target for Palo Alto Networks has increased by $1.34 to $216.33. Analysts cite continued strong execution, revenue growth, and positive channel dynamics as key drivers for their upward revision.Narrative Update • Oct 03
AI And Cloud Security Will Redefine The Enterprise Digital Landscape
Palo Alto Networks' analyst price target was modestly increased to approximately $215. Analysts cited strong top and bottom line performance, accelerating AI-driven security initiatives, and improved profitability forecasts as supporting factors.CEO Compensation Analysis
| Date | Total Compensation | Salary | Company Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 31 2026 | n/a | n/a | US$307m |
| Apr 30 2026 | n/a | n/a | US$843m |
| Jan 31 2026 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Oct 31 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Jul 31 2025 | US$100m | US$1m | US$1b |
| Apr 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Jan 31 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Oct 31 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$3b |
| Jul 31 2024 | US$58m | US$1m | US$3b |
| Apr 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Jan 31 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Oct 31 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$614m |
| Jul 31 2023 | US$151m | US$750k | US$440m |
| Apr 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$215m |
| Jan 31 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$34m |
| Oct 31 2022 | n/a | n/a | -US$143m |
| Jul 31 2022 | US$10m | US$250k | -US$267m |
| Apr 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | -US$390m |
| Jan 31 2022 | n/a | n/a | -US$461m |
| Oct 31 2021 | n/a | n/a | -US$510m |
| Jul 31 2021 | US$23m | US$333k | -US$499m |
| Apr 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | -US$438m |
| Jan 31 2021 | n/a | n/a | -US$368m |
| Oct 31 2020 | n/a | n/a | -US$300m |
| Jul 31 2020 | US$2m | US$667k | -US$267m |
Compensation vs Market: Nikesh's total compensation ($USD99.74M) is above average for companies of similar size in the US market ($USD14.71M).
Compensation vs Earnings: Nikesh's compensation has increased by more than 20% whilst company earnings have fallen more than 20% in the past year.
CEO
Nikesh Arora (58 yo)
8.3yrs
Tenure
US$99,736,336
Compensation
Mr. Nikesh Arora, C.F.A., serves as an Independent Director at Uber Technologies, Inc. since June 2025. He serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. since joining it on...
Leadership Team
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman & CEO | 8.3yrs | US$99.74m | 0.13% $ 413.3m | |
| President | 5.1yrs | US$26.96m | 0.018% $ 55.6m | |
| Executive VP & CFO | 5.5yrs | US$25.53m | 0.018% $ 54.5m | |
| Executive VP | 1.1yrs | US$25.97m | 0.11% $ 328.6m | |
| Founder & Chief Architect | 21.7yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior VP & Chief Accounting Officer | 5yrs | no data | 0.0045% $ 13.9m | |
| Chief Information Officer | 4.4yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior VP of Investor Relations & Strategic Finance | no data | no data | no data | |
| Executive VP | 5.7yrs | no data | no data | |
| Vice President of Global Communications | no data | no data | no data | |
| Chief Marketing Officer | 1.4yrs | no data | no data | |
| Chief People Officer | less than a year | no data | no data |
5.0yrs
Average Tenure
53yo
Average Age
Experienced Management: PANW's management team is seasoned and experienced (5 years average tenure).
Board Members
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman & CEO | 8.3yrs | US$99.74m | 0.13% $ 413.3m | |
| Executive VP | 1.1yrs | US$25.97m | 0.11% $ 328.6m | |
| Independent Director | 21.4yrs | no data | 0.041% $ 125.5m | |
| Member of Public Sector Advisory Council | 11.6yrs | no data | no data | |
| Independent Director | less than a year | no data | 0.00010% $ 306.8k | |
| Member of Public Sector Advisory Council | 11.6yrs | no data | no data | |
| Member of Public Sector Advisory Council | 11.6yrs | no data | no data | |
| Lead Independent Director | 14yrs | US$425.62k | 0.0046% $ 14.2m | |
| Independent Director | 13.3yrs | US$346.50k | 0.0025% $ 7.6m | |
| Member of Public Sector Advisory Council | 11.6yrs | no data | no data | |
| Member of Public Sector Advisory Council | 11.6yrs | no data | no data | |
| Independent Director | 7.4yrs | US$390.93k | 0.0014% $ 4.3m |
11.6yrs
Average Tenure
63.5yo
Average Age
Experienced Board: PANW's board of directors are seasoned and experienced ( 11.6 years average tenure).
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/09/16 21:46 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/09/16 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/07/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2026/07/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
| |
| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
| |
| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
Learn about the who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is covered by 70 analysts. 51 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Ellie Bagshaw | Arete Research Services LLP |
| Adam Shepherd | Arete Research Services LLP |
| Joseph Bonner | Argus Research Company |