PAYX vs. DBX
PAYX (Paychex, Inc.) and DBX (Dropbox, Inc.) are both stocks. PAYX operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials), while DBX operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 5 years, PAYX returned 1.78%/yr vs -2.30%/yr for DBX. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PAYX vs. DBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PAYX achieves a -10.61% return, which is significantly lower than DBX's -4.46% return.
PAYX
- 1D
- 2.15%
- 1M
- 1.02%
- YTD
- -10.61%
- 6M
- -12.11%
- 1Y
- -32.55%
- 3Y*
- -0.06%
- 5Y*
- 1.78%
- 10Y*
- 9.33%
DBX
- 1D
- 2.95%
- 1M
- -3.17%
- YTD
- -4.46%
- 6M
- -5.65%
- 1Y
- -7.52%
- 3Y*
- 0.29%
- 5Y*
- -2.30%
- 10Y*
- —
PAYX vs. DBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | -10.61% | -17.49% | 21.31% | 6.21% | -13.16% | 50.16% | 13.25% | 34.53% | 5.30% |
DBX Dropbox, Inc. | -4.46% | -7.46% | 1.90% | 31.72% | -8.80% | 10.59% | 23.90% | -12.33% | -29.55% |
Correlation
The correlation between PAYX and DBX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2018 | 0.37 |
The correlation between PAYX and DBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (3 years) to 0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PAYX:
$35.34B
DBX:
$6.29B
PAYX:
$4.53
DBX:
$1.83
PAYX:
21.63
DBX:
14.51
PAYX:
1.92
DBX:
0.57
PAYX:
5.59
DBX:
2.71
PAYX:
$6.33B
DBX:
$2.53B
PAYX:
$4.68B
DBX:
$2.01B
PAYX:
$2.09B
DBX:
$819.80M
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Return for Risk
PAYX vs. DBX — Risk / Return Rank
PAYX
DBX
PAYX vs. DBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) and Dropbox, Inc. (DBX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| PAYX | DBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.80 | 0.99 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.77 | -0.24 | -0.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.22 | -0.49 | -0.73 |
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Drawdowns
PAYX vs. DBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PAYX drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, roughly equal to the maximum DBX drawdown of -62.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAYX and DBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PAYX | DBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.85% | -62.64% | -2.21% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -42.23% | -31.43% | -10.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.95% | -37.39% | -7.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.95% | -41.52% | -3.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.95% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.15% | -36.76% | +0.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.97% | -40.47% | +22.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 26.82% | 15.52% | +11.30% |
Volatility
PAYX vs. DBX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) is 9.49%, while Dropbox, Inc. (DBX) has a volatility of 11.31%. This indicates that PAYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PAYX | DBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.49% | 11.31% | -1.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.07% | 26.66% | -5.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.05% | 33.93% | -6.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.81% | 33.35% | -9.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.28% | 38.84% | -13.56% |
Dividends
PAYX vs. DBX - Dividend Comparison
PAYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, while DBX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBX Dropbox, Inc. | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 4.52% | 3.76% | 2.73% | 2.90% | 2.62% | 1.90% | 2.66% | 2.85% | 3.35% | 2.82% | 2.89% | 3.03% |
Financials
PAYX vs. DBX - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Paychex, Inc. and Dropbox, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
PAYX vs. DBX - Profitability Comparison
PAYX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.38B and revenue of 1.81B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 76.2%.
DBX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Dropbox, Inc. reported a gross profit of 501.40M and revenue of 629.50M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 79.7%.
PAYX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported an operating income of 792.00M and revenue of 1.81B, resulting in an operating margin of 43.8%.
DBX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Dropbox, Inc. reported an operating income of 172.80M and revenue of 629.50M, resulting in an operating margin of 27.5%.
PAYX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported a net income of 560.30M and revenue of 1.81B, resulting in a net margin of 31.0%.
DBX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Dropbox, Inc. reported a net income of 114.50M and revenue of 629.50M, resulting in a net margin of 18.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PAYX and DBX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBX has higher volatility (11.31%) compared to PAYX (9.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAYX dropped -64.85% vs DBX's -62.64%.
DBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.22 vs -1.21), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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