Nutrien Ltd vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Nutrien Ltd trades at $80.84 (market cap $38.66B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $114.91 (market cap $40.85B). The key difference: Nutrien Ltd and Paychex, Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.15%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NTR | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $38.66B | $40.85B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $83.94 | $135.46 |
52-Week Low | $53.64 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $50.46B | $44.33B |
Dividend Yield | 2.73% | 4.15% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Nutrien (NTR) trades at $80.68, up 1.52% today, near the analyst high target of $81.00. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, though RSI levels indicate overbought conditions. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed EPS estimates but beat on revenue, driven by higher fertilizer prices. The company maintains a moderate buy consensus with 61% of analysts recommending buys, supported by institutional accumulation like BlackRock's $220.94 million purchase in Q2 2026.
Outlook remains positive due to structural advantages in North American nitrogen assets and long-term agricultural demand, but risks include cyclical earnings, sulfur cost pressures, and volume constraints. The current price above the $76.17 consensus target suggests limited near-term upside, requiring monitoring of Q3 2026 results and cost management.
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
Created in 2018 as a result of the merger between PotashCorp and Agrium, Nutrien is the world's largest fertilizer producer by capacity. Nutrien produces the three main crop nutrients--nitrogen, potash, and phosphate--although its main focus is potash, where it is the global leader in installed capacity with roughly 20% share. The company is also the largest agricultural retailer in the United States, selling fertilizers, crop chemicals, seeds, and services directly to farm customers through its brick-and-mortar stores and online platforms.
Read more on NTR →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 →