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 $104.17 (market cap $37.19B), while Wendys Co trades at $6.2 (market cap $1.19B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 31.3× Wendys Co's market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Paychex, Inc. for 56 Days and Wendys Co for 77 Days on average.
| PAYX | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $37.19B | $1.19B |
Volume | 3,344,316 | 5,622,905 |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $128.59 | $9.33 |
52-Week Low | $85.57 | $6.10 |
Typical Hold Time | 56 Days | 77 Days |
Enterprise Value | $40.87B | $4.92B |
Dividend Yield | 4.56% | 4.49% |
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 $104.62, up 3.02% today, with a mixed technical outlook showing bullish overall signals but bearish moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.34 beating the $1.32 estimate, and maintains robust profitability with a 27.35% net income margin. Recent news highlights a 14% stock decline despite earnings strength, raising questions about dividend sustainability amid investor focus on cash flow.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, with a consensus price target of $111 suggesting modest upside. Key opportunities include steady revenue growth and high margins, but risks involve labor market sensitivity and elevated valuation multiples. The stock's recent volatility reflects divergent analyst views, with 67.74% holding a neutral rating.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $6.16, down 71% over five years, with a bearish technical signal and recent price near multi-year lows. The company faces declining same-store sales, a major franchisee bankruptcy (Meritage Hospitality, September 2026), and net income margin compression from 7.58% in 2025 to 5.72% in 2026. Valuation appears low with a P/E of 9.45 and P/S of 0.54, but high debt and operational challenges weigh on sentiment. Recent earnings beats provide some positive momentum, but competitive pressures persist.
The outlook remains cautious due to franchisee instability and sales declines. Investment opportunity lies in potential turnaround under new CEO Bob Wright and cheap valuation, but risks include further store closures, debt burden, and intense burger chain competition. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $7.58 price target, but 65% hold ratings reflect uncertainty.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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Top news
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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 →
