Campbell Soup Co. vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Campbell Soup Co. trades at $22.79 (market cap $6.69B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $120.92 (market cap $43.10B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 6.4× Campbell Soup Co.'s market cap, and Campbell Soup Co. pays the higher dividend (6.96%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CPB | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $6.69B | $43.10B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $34.03 | $140.81 |
52-Week Low | $20.00 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $13.29B | $46.59B |
Dividend Yield | 6.96% | 3.93% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Campbell's stock trades at $23.05, up 2.17% with a bullish technical signal. The company shows stable revenue around $10B but faces margin pressure with net income margin at 6.12%. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, while analyst sentiment remains cautious with only 3.45% buy ratings. The stock offers a 6.8% dividend yield, supported by positive cash flow from operations of $1.13B in 2025.
The outlook remains mixed with cost-saving initiatives and product innovation providing upside potential, but persistent margin challenges and high debt levels pose significant risks. Current valuation appears reasonable with P/E of 11.29, though weak analyst consensus suggests limited near-term catalyst for price appreciation beyond dividend income.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $120.04, down slightly by 0.07% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 exceeding the $1.31 estimate. Revenue grew to $5.57 billion in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 27.03%. Recent news highlights expansion of its WISE platform and steady small business employment trends, supporting growth prospects.
The outlook remains positive given consistent earnings outperformance and strategic initiatives, but risks include elevated valuation ratios and potential economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is mixed with a hold-heavy rating, and the current price sits above the $114.50 target, suggesting limited near-term upside. Dividend payments provide income support, yet investors should weigh growth against premium multiples.
Trailing returns across standard periods
With a history that dates back around 150 years, Campbell Soup is now a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded convenience food products, most notably soup. The firm's product assortment includes well-known brands like Campbell's, Pace, Prego, Swanson, V8, and Pepperidge Farm. Following the sale of its international snacking operations, which wrapped in calendar 2019, the firm derives nearly all of its sales from its home turf. Campbell has made a handful of acquisitions to reshape its product mix the past few years, including the tie-up with Snyder's-Lance (completed in March 2018), which enhances its exposure to the faster-growing on-trend snack food aisle, complementing its Pepperidge Farm lineup.
Read more on CPB →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 →