Kohl's Corporation vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Kohl's Corporation trades at $17.67 (market cap $1.99B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $112.54 (market cap $40.98B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 20.6× Kohl's Corporation's market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.13%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KSS | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $1.99B | $40.98B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $24.71 | $147.99 |
52-Week Low | $10.42 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $8.10B | $44.47B |
Dividend Yield | 2.85% | 4.13% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Kohl's (KSS) trades at $17.59, up 1.68% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows deep value metrics with a P/E of 7.27 and P/B of 0.49, while recent earnings beats and a 10% jump in juniors sales (Zacks, 2026-06-30) signal operational improvements. Cash flow turned positive in 2026 projections at $276M, and the company is focusing on proprietary brands and value initiatives to drive traffic.
Outlook: Turnaround efforts under CEO Michael Bender show early progress, but revenue declines persist. Investment case hinges on margin expansion and market share recovery. Risks include intense retail competition and macroeconomic pressure on consumer spending. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $16.75 price target below current levels, suggesting cautious optimism amid execution uncertainty.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $115.15, up 0.66% today, with strong technical momentum indicated by bullish moving averages. The company demonstrates robust fundamentals with consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 beating expectations of $1.31, and maintains high profitability with a 27.03% net income margin. Recent developments include dividend declarations and positive small business job growth trends.
Outlook remains positive with steady revenue growth and AI expansion driving future performance, though valuation metrics appear elevated with P/E at 23.39. Key risks include macroeconomic sensitivity to small business hiring and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is mixed with 63.33% hold ratings and a $110 price target slightly below current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Kohl's operates 1,165 department stores in 49 states that sell moderately priced private-label and national brand clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, and home furnishings. Most of these stores are in strip centers. Kohl's also operates a large digital sales business. Women's apparel is Kohl's largest category, having generated 27% of its 2021 sales. The retailer, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, opened its first department store in 1962.
Read more on KSS →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 →