Compare Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Akamai Technologies, Inc. vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Akamai Technologies, Inc. trades at $123.59 (market cap $16.77B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $119.59 (market cap $43.14B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 2.6× Akamai Technologies, Inc.'s market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays a 3.92% dividend while Akamai Technologies, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AKAM | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $16.77B | $43.14B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $161.14 | $140.81 |
52-Week Low | $71.97 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $22.75B | $46.63B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.92% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Akamai Technologies (AKAM) trades at $123.20, up 4.72% with strong quarterly earnings beats and accelerating cloud infrastructure growth. The stock shows mixed technical signals with bearish moving averages but neutral oscillators. Recent Q2 2026 results exceeded expectations with $1.59 EPS versus $1.57 estimate, driven by 39% growth in Cloud Infrastructure Services. However, net income margins have declined from 14.47% in 2022 to 9.51% currently due to increased infrastructure investments.
Akamai presents a compelling growth story in AI and cybersecurity markets with analyst consensus target of $150.11 suggesting 22% upside potential. Key risks include margin pressure from heavy infrastructure spending and competitive threats in cloud services. The balanced analyst rating distribution (47% Buy, 49% Hold) reflects cautious optimism about the company's strategic positioning amid ongoing profitability challenges.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $119.93, down 1.03% today, with a bullish technical outlook and strong profitability. Recent quarters show consistent earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS expected at $1.33. The company maintains robust margins, including a 27.03% net income margin, and pays a steady dividend of $1.19 quarterly. Cash flow trends indicate operational strength, though 2025 saw significant investing outflows.
The stock presents a mixed outlook: solid fundamentals and dividend appeal are offset by a consensus 'Hold' rating and a price target below the current level. Risks include high valuation multiples and potential economic sensitivity for small business clients. Upside depends on sustained earnings growth and market sentiment shifts.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Akamai Technologies, Inc.
Akamai operates a content delivery network, or CDN, which entails locating servers at the edges of networks so its customers, which store content on Akamai servers, can reach their own customers faster, more securely, and with better quality. Akamai has over 325,000 servers distributed over 4,000 points of presence in more than 1,000 cities worldwide. Its customers generally include media companies, which stream video content or make video games available for download, and other enterprises that run interactive or high-traffic websites, such as e-commerce firms and financial institutions. Akamai also has a significant security business, which is integrated with its core web and media businesses to protect its customers from cyberthreats.
Read more on AKAM →About Paychex, Inc.
Paychex is a leading provider of payroll, human capital management, and insurance solutions servicing small and midsize clients primarily in the United States. The company, established in 1979, services over 730,000 clients and pays over 1 in 12 U.S. private-sector workers. Alongside its traditional payroll services, Paychex offers HCM solutions such as benefits administration and time and attendance software, as well as human resources outsourcing and insurance agency services.
Read more on PAYX →
