NRG Energy Inc vs Paycom Software Inc — how do they compare? NRG Energy Inc trades at $116.75 (market cap $25.15B), while Paycom Software Inc trades at $214.7 (market cap $9.88B). The key difference: NRG Energy Inc is far larger — about 2.5× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (1.59%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NRG | PAYC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $25.15B | $9.88B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $184.03 | $240.52 |
52-Week Low | $109.51 | $113.59 |
Enterprise Value | $49.10B | $10.66B |
Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 0.68% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
NRG Energy trades at $119.64, up 0.52% with a bullish technical signal despite recent earnings misses. The stock shows strong profitability metrics including 26.77% ROE and 2.56% net margin, supported by $30.71B revenue in 2025. Recent developments include a transformative 1.2 GW Texas data-center power project and LS Power acquisition, driving long-term growth expectations. Cash flow trends show volatility with 2025 net cash flow of $3.83B followed by projected 2026 outflow of -$264M.
Wall Street maintains strong bullish sentiment with 69% buy ratings and $201.29 consensus target, representing 68% upside. Key risks include rising interest costs impacting earnings, elevated debt levels at 56.42% debt-to-asset ratio, and execution challenges with major capital projects. The data center expansion strategy offers significant growth potential but requires careful monitoring of capex and leverage management.
Paycom Software (PAYC) trades at $219.16, down 5.4% today but maintains strong fundamentals with consistent earnings beats and robust profitability. The stock shows a bullish technical signal despite recent weakness, supported by positive analyst sentiment and institutional accumulation. Recent Q2 2026 results exceeded expectations with EPS of $2.78 beating estimates of $2.38, driving management's raised full-year guidance.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $231.70 offering 5.7% upside potential. Key opportunities include sustained revenue growth and expanding margins, while risks involve competitive pressures and market volatility. The company's strong cash flow generation and shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks support long-term value creation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
NRG Energy is one of the largest retail energy providers in the U.S., with 7 million customers, including its 2021 acquisition of Direct Energy. It also is one of the largest U.S. independent power producers, with 16 gigawatts of nuclear, coal, gas, and oil power generation capacity primarily in Texas. Since 2018, NRG has divested its 47% stake in NRG Yield, among other renewable energy and conventional generation investments. NRG exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a stand-alone entity in December 2003.
Read more on NRG →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 →