PAYX vs. PAYC
PAYX (Paychex, Inc.) and PAYC (Paycom Software, Inc.) are both stocks. PAYX operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials), while PAYC operates in Software - Application (Technology). Over the past 10 years, PAYX returned 9.37%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for PAYC. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PAYX vs. PAYC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PAYX achieves a -10.19% return, which is significantly higher than PAYC's -13.06% return. Over the past 10 years, PAYX has underperformed PAYC with an annualized return of 9.37%, while PAYC has yielded a comparatively higher 13.19% annualized return.
PAYX
- 1D
- -2.32%
- 1M
- 7.82%
- YTD
- -10.19%
- 6M
- -11.14%
- 1Y
- -35.23%
- 3Y*
- -0.47%
- 5Y*
- 2.22%
- 10Y*
- 9.37%
PAYC
- 1D
- -4.47%
- 1M
- 4.49%
- YTD
- -13.06%
- 6M
- -15.81%
- 1Y
- -47.28%
- 3Y*
- -21.63%
- 5Y*
- -15.20%
- 10Y*
- 13.19%
PAYX vs. PAYC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | -10.19% | -17.49% | 21.31% | 6.21% | -13.16% | 50.16% | 13.25% | 34.53% | -1.08% | 15.41% |
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc. | -13.06% | -21.70% | -0.04% | -33.06% | -25.26% | -8.19% | 70.82% | 116.22% | 52.43% | 76.59% |
Correlation
The correlation between PAYX and PAYC is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2014 | 0.49 |
Over the past year, PAYX and PAYC have become more correlated (0.72) than their long-term average of 0.49, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
PAYX:
$35.50B
PAYC:
$7.05B
PAYX:
$4.53
PAYC:
$8.58
PAYX:
21.73
PAYC:
16.06
PAYX:
1.93
PAYC:
0.60
PAYX:
5.61
PAYC:
3.60
PAYX:
8.85
PAYC:
8.69
PAYX:
$6.33B
PAYC:
$2.09B
PAYX:
$4.68B
PAYC:
$1.70B
PAYX:
$2.09B
PAYC:
$803.80M
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Return for Risk
PAYX vs. PAYC — Risk / Return Rank
PAYX
PAYC
PAYX vs. PAYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) and Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC). 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.
| PAYX | PAYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.77 | 0.77 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.79 | -0.83 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.23 | -1.26 | +0.04 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PAYX | PAYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -1.33 | -1.26 | -0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 | -0.34 | +0.44 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 | 0.30 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.54 | 0.44 | +0.10 |
Drawdowns
PAYX vs. PAYC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PAYX drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, smaller than the maximum PAYC drawdown of -78.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAYX and PAYC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PAYX | PAYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.85% | -78.99% | +14.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -44.95% | -56.97% | +12.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.95% | -68.70% | +23.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.95% | -78.99% | +34.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.95% | -78.99% | +34.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -35.85% | -74.45% | +38.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.95% | -26.88% | +8.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 28.77% | 37.44% | -8.67% |
Volatility
PAYX vs. PAYC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) is 9.97%, while Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) has a volatility of 15.60%. This indicates that PAYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PAYC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PAYX | PAYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.97% | 15.60% | -5.63% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.75% | 29.94% | -9.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.62% | 37.77% | -11.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.72% | 44.49% | -20.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.24% | 44.49% | -19.25% |
Dividends
PAYX vs. PAYC - Dividend Comparison
PAYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, more than PAYC's 1.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc. | 1.09% | 0.94% | 0.73% | 0.54% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 4.50% | 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. PAYC - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Paychex, Inc. and Paycom Software, 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. PAYC - 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%.
PAYC - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Paycom Software, Inc. reported a gross profit of 484.60M and revenue of 571.90M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 84.7%.
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%.
PAYC - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Paycom Software, Inc. reported an operating income of 210.20M and revenue of 571.90M, resulting in an operating margin of 36.8%.
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%.
PAYC - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Paycom Software, Inc. reported a net income of 155.70M and revenue of 571.90M, resulting in a net margin of 27.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PAYX and PAYC have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PAYC has higher volatility (15.60%) compared to PAYX (9.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAYX dropped -64.85% vs PAYC's -78.99%.
PAYC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.26 vs -1.33), 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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