Compare Albemarle Corp. (ALB) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Albemarle Corp. vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Albemarle Corp. trades at $127.46 (market cap $15.22B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $106.61 (market cap $38.44B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 2.5× Albemarle Corp.'s market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.4%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALB | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $15.22B | $38.44B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $215.62 | $147.99 |
52-Week Low | $67.30 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $18.24B | $41.92B |
Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 4.4% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Albemarle (ALB) is trading at $129.02, down 4.82% over the past 24 hours amid bearish technical signals. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with a low P/E of 5.12 and negative net income margin of -4.24% for 2025, though Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations. Recent news highlights a focus on debt reduction and energy storage system demand as lithium prices rebound. Cash flow improved in 2025 with net cash flow of $425.77 million, while the balance sheet reflects a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.8%.
The outlook for ALB hinges on lithium price recovery and execution in energy storage markets. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $227.10 price target suggesting significant upside, but risks include volatile lithium markets and ongoing profitability challenges. The stock's current level near key support at $128 may attract value investors, though macroeconomic and commodity pressures remain headwinds.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $108.12, up 1.66% today, showing strong momentum with three consecutive quarterly earnings beats. The stock exhibits bullish technical signals with moving averages supporting upward movement, though RSI suggests mild overbought conditions. Fundamentally, the company maintains robust profitability with 27% net margins and 44.8% ROE, supported by steady revenue growth and strong cash flow generation.
The outlook remains positive with analyst consensus at $110 target and continued AI-driven growth initiatives. However, elevated valuation multiples and potential macroeconomic headwinds to small business hiring present risks. The stock offers a compelling combination of growth execution and shareholder returns through dividends.
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 Albemarle Corp.
Albemarle is the world's largest lithium producer. Our outlook for robust lithium demand is predicated upon increased demand for electric vehicle batteries. Albemarle produces lithium from its salt brine deposits in Chile and the U.S. and its hard rock joint venture mines in Australia. Albemarle is also a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. The company is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
Read more on ALB →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 →
