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 $111.32 (market cap $39.82B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.41 (market cap $1.45B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 27.5× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (7.34%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PAYX | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $39.82B | $1.45B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $147.99 | $11.33 |
52-Week Low | $85.57 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $43.31B | $5.27B |
Dividend Yield | 4.25% | 7.34% |
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 $111.96, down 2.12% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bullish trend despite overbought RSI readings. The company maintains strong profitability with 27.03% net margins and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent dividend declarations of $1.19 per share and positive small business job growth data support the investment case.
The outlook remains positive with steady revenue growth and AI expansion driving future earnings. Key risks include macroeconomic headwinds affecting small business hiring and elevated valuation multiples. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $110 price target slightly below current levels, suggesting cautious optimism amid strong fundamentals.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $7.63, down 1.68% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and recent meme stock momentum. The company shows consistent earnings beats but faces margin pressure, with net income declining from $204M in 2023 to $165M in 2025. Valuation metrics appear attractive with a P/E of 10.2 and P/S of 0.69, while analyst consensus is mixed with a $7.96 price target.
The stock presents a value opportunity with solid dividends and low valuation, but investors face risks from declining profitability, high debt levels, and competitive pressures. Near-term catalysts include Q2 2026 earnings on August 7 and ongoing Project Fresh initiatives, though weak traffic and cost inflation remain headwinds for sustained growth.
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 →
