Altria Group Inc vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Altria Group Inc trades at $71.26 (market cap $119.25B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $104.29 (market cap $37.19B). The key difference: Altria Group Inc is far larger — about 3.2× Paychex, Inc.'s market cap, and Altria Group Inc pays the higher dividend (6.22%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Altria Group Inc for 154 Days and Paychex, Inc. for 56 Days on average.
| MO | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $119.25B | $37.19B |
Volume | 11,178,169 | 3,344,316 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $74.92 | $128.59 |
52-Week Low | $54.72 | $85.57 |
Typical Hold Time | 154 Days | 56 Days |
Enterprise Value | $141.46B | $40.87B |
Dividend Yield | 6.22% | 4.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Altria Group (MO) trades at $69.39, up 1.22% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 39% net income margin and a 6.6% dividend yield, though recent earnings have been mixed with two misses in the last four quarters. Cash flow improved in 2025 with net cash flow of $1.33 billion, but the balance sheet carries negative equity of -$2.24 billion due to high liabilities.
The outlook is balanced: analyst consensus is bullish with a $69.71 price target, but risks include regulatory pressures on tobacco, declining margins, and high debt. The dividend appears sustainable from cash flow, yet negative equity and business shrinkage pose long-term concerns for income-focused investors.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $101.55, up 0.52% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 27.35% net income margin and a 47.06% ROE, but valuation metrics like a P/E of 20.15 and P/S of 5.52 suggest a premium. Recent news highlights concerns over dividend sustainability and a 14% stock decline, even as the company reported double-digit earnings growth driven by PEO and insurance segments.
The outlook is mixed: solid fundamentals and a consensus price target of $111.00 imply upside, but bearish technicals and investor skepticism about growth levers like AI pose risks. Key opportunities include consistent dividend payments and market leadership, while risks involve labor market sensitivity and high debt levels following a significant increase in total liabilities.
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Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Helix Innovations, and Philip Morris Capital, although the company plans to wind down Philip Morris Capital by the end of 2022. It holds a 10% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria holds the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the U.S. with a 43% share in 2020. Altria holds strategic investments in JUUL Labs (35% economic interest) and Cronos (42%).
Read more on MO →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 →