Nasdaq Inc vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Nasdaq Inc trades at $94.8 (market cap $53.13B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $114.78 (market cap $43.33B). The key difference: Nasdaq Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.91%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NDAQ | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.13B | $43.33B |
Sector | Financials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $100.98 | $135.46 |
52-Week Low | $76.85 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $59.58B | $46.81B |
Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 3.91% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Nasdaq (NDAQ) trades at $95.04, down 1.9% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but bearish oscillators. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.07 exceeding the $0.984 estimate. Revenue grew to $8.26B in 2025, and net income margin improved to 22.52%. Recent news highlights strategic acquisitions like Dasseti to enhance AI capabilities.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $109.20, implying 15% upside. Key opportunities include continued earnings growth and expansion in data-driven investment technology. Risks involve market volatility and execution of acquisition integration. Analyst sentiment is bullish with 61% buy ratings.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $116.93, down 3.93% in the last session. The stock shows strong profitability with a net income margin of 27.03% and ROE of 44.77%. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 surpassing the $1.31 estimate. Technical indicators are mixed, with a bearish moving average signal but RSI suggesting potential oversold conditions. The company continues to expand its AI-driven WISE platform, enhancing service efficiency for small businesses.
The outlook for PAYX is cautiously optimistic, supported by robust cash flow and strategic AI integration. However, risks include elevated valuation multiples and competitive pressures in the HR solutions space. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $120 price target, indicating limited near-term upside from current levels amid balanced growth and risk factors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Founded in 1971, Nasdaq is primarily known for its equity exchange, but in addition to its market-services business (about 35% of sales), the company sells and distributes market data as well as offers Nasdaq-branded indexes to asset managers and investors through its information-services segment (30%). Nasdaq's corporate-services business (20%) offers listing services and related investor relations products to publicly traded companies and through the company's market technology group (15%), Nasdaq facilitates the exchange operations of other exchanges throughout the world and provides financial compliance services.
Read more on NDAQ →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 →