Paycom Software Inc vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? Paycom Software Inc trades at $139 (market cap $6.72B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $222.5 (market cap $20.33B). The key difference: Packaging Corporation of America is far larger — about 3× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and Packaging Corporation of America pays the higher dividend (2.63%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PAYC | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $6.72B | $20.33B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $238.80 | $246.31 |
52-Week Low | $113.59 | $191.41 |
Enterprise Value | $7.33B | $24.16B |
Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.63% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Paycom Software (PAYC) trades at $144.22, down 2.51% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong fundamentals including 22.44% net margin and 37.15% ROE. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, and the company launched a new Asset Management tool. Cash flow from operations grew to $679M in 2025, though net cash flow declined from 2024's peak.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus near current price ($144.60 target) and 47% buy ratings. Risks include high P/B of 8.6 and reliance on HR software demand. The stock offers value with a reasonable P/E of 17.33 but faces execution risks in maintaining growth against competition.
Packaging Corp of America (PKG) trades at $228.43, down 1.99% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company maintains solid fundamentals with $8.99B revenue and 8.04% net margin, though recent earnings show mixed performance with Q1 2026 beating estimates but Q3/Q4 2025 missing. A 20% dividend increase to $6.00 annually reflects management confidence. Analyst consensus is mixed with 34.62% buy ratings and a $256.14 price target suggesting 12% upside potential.
PKG presents a balanced investment case with attractive dividend yield and analyst upside, but faces earnings volatility and margin pressure. The upcoming Q2 2026 earnings report on July 22 will be crucial for confirming growth trajectory. Key risks include integration challenges from the Greif acquisition and ongoing cost pressures affecting profitability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.
Read more on PKG →