Compare Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Wendys Co (WEN) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Paychex, Inc. vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Paychex, Inc. trades at $114.78 (market cap $43.33B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.55 (market cap $1.45B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 29.9× Wendys Co's market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.91%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PAYX | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $43.33B | $1.45B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $135.46 | $9.89 |
52-Week Low | $85.57 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $46.81B | $5.18B |
Dividend Yield | 3.91% | 3.68% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $7.61, down 5.23% on the day, reflecting bearish technical signals and negative sentiment following the collapse of Trian's potential take-private bid. The stock shows a low P/E of 11.54 and P/S of 0.66, indicating potential undervaluation, but faces declining net income margins and high debt levels. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, yet U.S. traffic fell 12.5% in 2026, highlighting operational challenges under new CEO Bob Wright's turnaround plan.
The outlook is cautious; while valuation metrics appear attractive and analyst consensus targets $8.13, near-term risks from weak sales, high leverage, and failed M&A speculation outweigh opportunities. Investors should monitor execution of the five-point reset strategy for traffic recovery, but competitive pressures and inconsistent cash flow generation pose significant headwinds for shareholder returns.
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 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 →About Wendys Co
The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →
