Paycom Software Inc vs Xcel Energy Inc — how do they compare? Paycom Software Inc trades at $139 (market cap $6.72B), while Xcel Energy Inc trades at $80.26 (market cap $49.14B). The key difference: Xcel Energy Inc is far larger — about 7.3× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and Xcel Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (3.01%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PAYC | XEL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $6.72B | $49.14B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $238.80 | $83.91 |
52-Week Low | $113.59 | $71.14 |
Enterprise Value | $7.33B | $86.59B |
Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 3.01% |
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.
XEL trades at $78.72, down 0.06% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed recent earnings, missing in Q3 and Q4 2025 but beating in Q1 2026. Revenue grew to $14.67B in 2025, with a net income margin of 14.14%. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $94.50 price target, and the company maintains a steady dividend, with a recent payout declared for July 2026.
The outlook for XEL is supported by strong analyst buy ratings and a significant capital expenditure plan targeting growth, but risks include regulatory pushback and high debt levels. The stock's current valuation near historical highs requires monitoring of earnings delivery against expectations, particularly the upcoming Q2 2026 results.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Xcel Energy manages utilities serving 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight states. Its utilities are Northern States Power, which serves customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
Read more on XEL →