Compare Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Palo Alto Networks Inc vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Palo Alto Networks Inc trades at $336.16 (market cap $274.64B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $114.78 (market cap $43.33B). The key difference: Palo Alto Networks Inc is far larger — about 6.3× Paychex, Inc.'s market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays a 3.91% dividend while Palo Alto Networks Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PANW | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $274.64B | $43.33B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $396.00 | $135.46 |
52-Week Low | $141.67 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $273.60B | $46.81B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.91% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) trades at $336.98, up 1.12% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. Revenue grew to $9.22B in FY2025, with strong gross margins of 71.94%, but valuation ratios are elevated (P/E 293.03, P/S 23.39). The company is set to join the S&P 500, reflecting its leadership in AI cybersecurity, though rising costs and premium pricing pose challenges.
Outlook remains positive due to AI-driven security demand and platformization strategy, but high valuation and competitive pressures warrant caution. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $410.48 price target, yet near-term volatility may persist as the stock digests recent gains and faces execution risks in a dynamic cybersecurity landscape.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $116.93, down 3.93% over the past day, near the consensus price target of $118.17. The stock shows strong profitability with a 27.03% net income margin and 44.77% ROE, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 24.89 and P/S of 6.73 are elevated. Recent quarters have consistently beaten EPS estimates, and the company is advancing its AI-driven WISE platform to enhance payroll efficiency. Technical indicators are mixed, with a bearish moving average signal but an oversold RSI suggesting potential near-term support.
The outlook for PAYX is cautiously optimistic, supported by steady earnings beats and strategic AI integration, but high valuation and mixed analyst sentiment pose risks. Investment opportunity lies in continued execution on margin expansion and market share gains in HR solutions, while key risks include competitive pressures and economic sensitivity affecting small business clients.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Palo Alto Networks Inc
Palo Alto Networks is a pure-play cybersecurity vendor that sells security appliances, subscriptions, and support into enterprises, government entities, and service providers. The company's product portfolio includes firewall appliances, virtual firewalls, endpoint protection, cloud security, and cybersecurity analytics. The Santa Clara, California, firm was established in 2005 and sells its products worldwide.
Read more on PANW →About Paychex, Inc.
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 →
