Agilent Technologies Inc vs Paycom Software Inc — how do they compare? Agilent Technologies Inc trades at $149.35 (market cap $42.00B), while Paycom Software Inc trades at $211 (market cap $9.62B). The key difference: Agilent Technologies Inc is far larger — about 4.4× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and Paycom Software Inc pays the higher dividend (0.7%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| A | PAYC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $42.00B | $9.62B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $157.20 | $233.89 |
52-Week Low | $110.24 | $113.59 |
Enterprise Value | $43.55B | $10.41B |
Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 0.7% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Agilent Technologies (A) trades at $145.97, up 3.28% in the last session, with a bullish technical outlook from moving averages but overbought RSI levels. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $1.49, and maintains solid profitability with a net income margin of 19.55%. Recent developments include FDA and EU approvals for diagnostic assays and the acquisition of Biocare Medical, enhancing its healthcare portfolio.
The stock offers upside to the consensus price target of $154.90, supported by analyst optimism (77.5% buy ratings), but high valuation ratios like a P/E of 146.56 pose risks. Investors should monitor execution of growth initiatives and competitive pressures in the life sciences sector, with earnings on August 26, 2026, as a key catalyst.
Paycom Software (PAYC) trades at $214.94, down 0.48% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The stock exhibits strong fundamentals, including a 22.78% net income margin and consistent earnings beats, most recently with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.78 versus $2.38 expected. Recent news highlights AI-driven demand and raised 2026 guidance, fueling positive sentiment.
Outlook remains favorable due to robust profitability and growth initiatives, though risks include high valuation multiples and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $219.22 price target, suggesting modest upside potential from current levels amid balanced buy/hold ratings.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Originally spun out of Hewlett-Packard in 1999, Agilent has evolved into a leading life sciences and diagnostics firm. Today, Agilent's measurement technologies serve a broad base of customers with its three operating segments: life science and applied tools (45% of fiscal 2021 sales), cross lab (35% of sales consisting of consumables and services related to its life science and applied tools), and diagnostics and genomics (20%). Over half of its sales are generated from the biopharmaceutical, chemical, and energy end markets, but it also supports clinical lab, environmental, forensics, food, academic, and government-related organizations. The company is geographically diverse, with operations in the U.S. (34%) and China (20%) representing the largest country concentrations.
Read more on A →Paycom is a fast-growing provider of payroll and human capital management, or HCM, software primarily targeting clients with 50-10,000 employees in the United States. Paycom was established in 1998 and services about 18,000 clients as of 2021, based on parent company grouping. Alongside its core payroll software, Paycom offers various HCM add-on modules, including time and attendance, talent management, and benefits administration.
Read more on PAYC →