Fortinet (STU:FO8) Beneish M-Score: -2.62 (As of Jun. 26, 2026)


STU:FO8 Fortinet Inc STU:FO8
93 GF Score
Price €131.74
GF Value €87.05
Valuation Significantly Overvalued
! 5 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is Fortinet Beneish M-Score?

Fortinet STU:FO8 +3.13% 93 Beneish M-Score is -2.62 as of Jun. 26, 2026. GuruFocus rates STU:FO8 with a GF Score™ of 93/100 and a GF Value™ of €87.05 (Significantly Overvalued). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review. Among 2,634 Software companies, Fortinet ranks better than 55.5% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Good Sign:

Beneish M-Score -2.62 no higher than -1.78, which implies that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

The historical rank and industry rank for Fortinet's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

STU:FO8' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -3.71   Med: -2.86   Max: -2.46
Current: -2.62

During the past 13 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of Fortinet was -2.46. The lowest was -3.71. And the median was -2.86.


Fortinet Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Fortinet's Beneish M-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Fortinet Beneish M-Score Chart

Fortinet Annual Data
Trend Dec16 Dec17 Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.95 -2.75 -2.87 -2.66 -2.67

Fortinet Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Beneish M-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.52 -2.56 -2.64 -2.67 -2.62

STU:FO8 vs SNPS, NET, CRWV: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Software - Infrastructure subindustry, Fortinet's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Fortinet Beneish M-Score vs Software Industry

For the Software industry and Technology sector, Fortinet's Beneish M-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Fortinet's Beneish M-Score falls into.


STU:FO8
93GF Score
Fortinet Inc STU:FO8
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

Fortinet Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of Fortinet for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 1.1046+0.528 * 1.0128+0.404 * 1.1758+0.892 * 1.0717+0.115 * 1.0132
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 0.9931+4.679 * -0.093361-0.327 * 1.0321
=-2.69

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Mar26) TTM:Last Year (Mar25) TTM:
Total Receivables was €1,286 Mil.
Revenue was 1599.904 + 1626.87 + 1469.615 + 1413.21 = €6,110 Mil.
Gross Profit was 1284.611 + 1294.493 + 1187.006 + 1140.192 = €4,906 Mil.
Total Current Assets was €4,613 Mil.
Total Assets was €8,549 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was €1,463 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was €134 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was €2,297 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was €3,999 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was €430 Mil.
Net Income was 462.342 + 432.124 + 403.763 + 381.567 = €1,680 Mil.
Non Operating Income was 41.433 + -2.306 + 11.076 + 16.386 = €67 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was 931.691 + 529.651 + 558.23 + 391.797 = €2,411 Mil.
Total Receivables was €1,086 Mil.
Revenue was 1424.222 + 1585.396 + 1358.798 + 1332.465 = €5,701 Mil.
Gross Profit was 1153.105 + 1285.048 + 1121.475 + 1076.99 = €4,637 Mil.
Total Current Assets was €5,959 Mil.
Total Assets was €9,626 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was €1,299 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was €121 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was €2,159 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was €4,373 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was €459 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(1285.563 / 6109.599) / (1085.95 / 5700.881)
=0.210417 / 0.190488
=1.1046

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(4636.618 / 5700.881) / (4906.302 / 6109.599)
=0.813316 / 0.803048
=1.0128

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (4612.699 + 1463.147) / 8549.227) / (1 - (5959.405 + 1298.515) / 9626.475)
=0.28931 / 0.246046
=1.1758

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=6109.599 / 5700.881
=1.0717

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(120.708 / (120.708 + 1298.515)) / (134.083 / (134.083 + 1463.147))
=0.085052 / 0.083947
=1.0132

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(2297.419 / 6109.599) / (2158.607 / 5700.881)
=0.376034 / 0.378644
=0.9931

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((429.732 + 3999.327) / 8549.227) / ((458.985 + 4373.215) / 9626.475)
=0.518065 / 0.50197
=1.0321

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(1679.796 - 66.589 - 2411.369) / 8549.227
=-0.093361

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Fortinet has a M-score of -2.69 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -2.62 mean?
Fortinet (STU:FO8) has a Beneish M-Score of -2.62 as of Jun. 26, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Fortinet and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Fortinet ranks #1172 out of 2634 companies in the Software industry, placing it in the top 44.5%.
Is Fortinet's Beneish M-Score too high?
Fortinet's current Beneish M-Score is -2.62. Based on the distribution chart, Fortinet ranks #1172 out of 2634 companies in the Software industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, Fortinet has a GF Score™ of 93/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Fortinet's Beneish M-Score compare to SNPS and NET?
According to the Software industry distribution chart, Fortinet ranks #1172 out of 2634 companies for Beneish M-Score. This puts Fortinet in the upper half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for a Software company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Software industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Fortinet and its competitors. Fortinet's current Beneish M-Score is -2.62. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Fortinet stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Fortinet (STU:FO8) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is €87.05, compared to a current price of €131.74 — trading 51.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -2.62. Fortinet's overall GF Score™ is 93/100 with 5 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Fortinet (STU:FO8), the current Beneish M-Score is -2.62 as of Jun. 26, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Fortinet (STU:FO8) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Fortinet stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of €131.74 is trading 51.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of €87.05. GuruFocus considers Fortinet to be Significantly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for STU:FO8:

  • Beneish M-Score: -2.62
  • GF Value™: €87.05 vs. price of €131.74 (51.3% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 93/100 with 5 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the STU:FO8 stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Fortinet Business Description

Address 909 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA, USA, 94086
Fortinet is a platform-based cybersecurity vendor with product offerings covering network security, cloud security, zero-trust access, and security operations. The firm derives a majority of its revenue through sales of its subscriptions and support-based business. The California-based firm has more than 800,000 customers across the world.
93GF Score

Get the complete analysis for STU:FO8

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

€131.74
Price
€87.05
GF Value