F5 (FFIV) vs Block (XYZ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
F5 (FFIV) has outperformed Block (XYZ) over the past year, gaining 34.8% versus a loss of 7.2%. Over five years, FFIV leads with a +125.9% price change compared with -69.8% for XYZ. Block is the larger company by market cap ($46.18 billion vs $27.19 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while F5 is growing revenue faster (+9.7% vs +0.3%).
On valuation, Block trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 26.6x for F5). F5 converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.4% versus 5.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FFIV | XYZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $480.16 | $76.86 |
| Market cap | $27.19B | $46.18B |
| 1-day change | +4.01% | +2.17% |
| YTD return | +80.86% | +15.58% |
| 1-year return | +34.76% | -7.25% |
| 5-year return | +125.94% | -69.79% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.26 | 137.25 |
| Forward P/E | 26.56 | 14.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.55 | $0.56 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.09B | $24.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.66% | +0.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $692.38M | $1.31B |
| Gross margin | 81.41% | 42.82% |
| Operating margin | 24.80% | 7.06% |
| Net margin | 22.42% | 5.40% |
| 52-week high | $481.96 | $86.92 |
| 52-week low | $223.76 | $48.21 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -0.37% | -11.57% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -9.18% | +28.01% |
| Average volume | 582.62K | 4.50M |
| Shares outstanding | 56.63M | 540.82M |
| Employees | 6,512 | 10,205 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Communications Equipment | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- FFIV has outperformed XYZ by 42.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Block trades at a higher earnings multiple (137.3x vs 38.3x trailing P/E).
- F5 is more profitable, keeping 22.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.4 cents for Block.
- F5 grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.66% vs +0.30%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: F5 in Telecommunications and Block in Technology.
About F5
FFIV stock →F5, Inc. provides multicloud application security and delivery solutions in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region.
Telecommunications · Computer Communications Equipment · 6,512 employees
About Block
XYZ stock →Block, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, builds ecosystems focused on commerce and financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Square and Cash App.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 10,205 employees
FFIV vs XYZ FAQ
Which is bigger, F5 or Block?
Block (XYZ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $46.18B compared with $27.19B for F5 (FFIV).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FFIV or XYZ?
FFIV returned +34.76% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.25% for XYZ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FFIV or XYZ?
FFIV has the lower trailing P/E at 38.3, versus 137.3 for XYZ. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are F5 and Block in the same industry?
No. F5 is in the Telecommunications sector, while Block is in Technology.