PAYX vs. VOO
PAYX (Paychex, Inc.) is a stock, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PAYX returned 10.46%/yr vs 15.17%/yr for VOO. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
PAYX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PAYX achieves a 8.47% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 11.72% return. Over the past 10 years, PAYX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 10.46%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.17% annualized return.
PAYX
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- 11.80%
- 6M
- 17.52%
- YTD
- 8.47%
- 1Y
- -11.83%
- 3Y*
- 2.19%
- 5Y*
- 3.76%
- 10Y*
- 10.46%
- ALL TIME*
- 18.27%
VOO
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- 6M
- 9.53%
- YTD
- 11.72%
- 1Y
- 23.30%
- 3Y*
- 20.85%
- 5Y*
- 13.12%
- 10Y*
- 15.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | $414.92M | $365.22M | $353.69M |
| $3.97B | $3.80B | $5.49B |
PAYX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 8.47% | -17.49% | 21.31% | 6.21% | -13.16% | 50.16% | 13.25% | 34.53% | -1.08% | 15.41% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 11.72% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between PAYX and VOO is -0.02, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.50 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | 0.62 |
The correlation between PAYX and VOO shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PAYX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
PAYX
VOO
PAYX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 1.33 | -0.38 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.31 | 2.63 | -2.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.50 | 11.23 | -11.74 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PAYX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PAYX drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAYX and VOO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PAYX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.85% | -33.99% | -30.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -38.17% | -8.90% | -29.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.95% | -18.69% | -26.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.95% | -24.52% | -20.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.95% | -33.99% | -10.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.53% | 0.00% | -22.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.00% | -3.67% | -14.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 23.60% | 2.08% | +21.52% |
Volatility
PAYX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has a higher volatility of 10.20% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.81%. This indicates that PAYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PAYX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.20% | 3.81% | +6.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.26% | 10.18% | +13.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.51% | 12.80% | +14.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.36% | 16.95% | +7.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.47% | 18.02% | +7.45% |
Dividends
PAYX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison
PAYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, more than VOO's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 3.86% | 3.76% | 2.73% | 2.90% | 2.62% | 1.90% | 2.66% | 2.85% | 3.35% | 2.82% | 2.89% | 3.03% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PAYX and VOO have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PAYX has higher volatility (10.20%) compared to VOO (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAYX dropped -64.85% vs VOO's -33.99%.
VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs -0.43), 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.
Find the right allocation for PAYX and VOO
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer