Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp vs Paycom Software Inc — how do they compare? Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp trades at $58.28 (market cap $26.27B), while Paycom Software Inc trades at $211 (market cap $9.62B). The key difference: Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp is far larger — about 2.7× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp pays the higher dividend (2.26%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CTSH | PAYC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.27B | $9.62B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $86.70 | $233.89 |
52-Week Low | $38.73 | $113.59 |
Enterprise Value | $27.31B | $10.41B |
Dividend Yield | 2.26% | 0.7% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CTSH trades at $57.67, up 1.37% with a bullish technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed EPS estimates at $1.37 versus $1.38 expected, though revenues beat. The company maintains solid fundamentals with a P/E of 12.37 and ROE of 14.92%, supported by strong cash flow from operations of $2.88B in 2025. AI initiatives, including the new EMEA AI Unit, highlight growth efforts amid cautious client spending.
Outlook is mixed: valuation appears attractive with upside to the $59.92 consensus target, but risks include macroeconomic pressures on IT spending and competitive disruption from AI. Earnings consistency and AI adoption execution are critical for sustained gains.
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
Cognizant is a global IT services provider, offering consulting and outsourcing services to some of the world's largest enterprises spanning the financial services, media and communications, healthcare, natural resources, and consumer products industries. Cognizant employs nearly 300,000 people globally, roughly 70% of whom are in India, although the company's headquarters are in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Read more on CTSH →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 →