Badger Meter Inc vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Badger Meter Inc trades at $142.46 (market cap $4.13B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $111.42 (market cap $38.95B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 9.4× Badger Meter Inc's market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.35%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMI | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $4.13B | $38.95B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $245.81 | $147.99 |
52-Week Low | $113.41 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $3.92B | $42.43B |
Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 4.35% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Badger Meter (BMI) trades at $140.12, down 2.82% today, with a mixed technical picture showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. Fundamentally, the company reported $917M revenue and $142M net income for 2025, with strong profitability margins but recent earnings misses in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. A securities class action lawsuit filed in July 2026 adds significant near-term uncertainty, though analyst consensus remains a Buy with a $144.60 price target.
The stock faces headwinds from legal risks and earnings volatility, but solid fundamentals and analyst support suggest potential recovery if legal concerns subside. Investors should weigh the high valuation multiples against operational strength and monitor lawsuit developments closely for directional cues.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $110.75, up 2.98% with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 beating expectations, and maintains robust profitability with 27.03% net income margin. Recent dividend payment of $1.19 and positive business momentum from AI expansion and small business hiring trends support growth outlook.
Outlook remains positive with steady revenue growth and AI-driven efficiency gains, though valuation multiples appear elevated with P/E of 22.65. Risks include competitive pressures and macroeconomic sensitivity to small business employment trends. Analyst consensus is mixed with 16.67% buy ratings but price target alignment with current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Badger Meter provides industry-leading water management solutions. Its smart measurement hardware and software analytics help water utilities and industrial customers optimize operations and conserve natural resources.
Read more on BMI →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 →