Coherent, Inc. (COHR) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)
PAYX leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Coherent, Inc. and Paychex, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
COHR
Coherent, Inc.
$277.60TechnologyAt close: Jul 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
PAYX
Paychex, Inc.
$114.39TechnologyAt close: Jul 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — COHR vs PAYX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOHR +16205.5%PAYX +2756.8%COHR compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
COHR PAYX
COHR vs PAYX: by the numbers
- •COHR is the larger company ($44.02B vs $40.68B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.44 vs 132.82 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (27.03% vs 7.10% net margin).
- •COHR grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.75% vs 9.93% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays a dividend (3.87% yield) while COHR does not currently pay one.
Which is better, COHR or PAYX?
Metric tally: COHR 4 · PAYX 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthCOHR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COHR | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 132.82 | 23.44● |
| Forward P/E | 50.89 | 20.82● |
| P/S ratio | 6.54 | 6.29● |
| P/B ratio | 4.04● | 10.97 |
| PEG ratio | 2.39● | 3.21 |
| EV / EBITDA | 40.66 | 15.05● |
| FCF yield | — | 5.67% |
Profitability
| Metric | COHR | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 36.99% | 74.29%● |
| Operating margin | 10.28% | 38.55%● |
| Net margin | 7.10% | 27.03%● |
| ROE | 4.39% | 47.12%● |
| ROIC | 1.31% | 20.49%● |
Dividends
| Metric | COHR | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 3.87% |
| Payout ratio | — | 90.41% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COHR | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.75%● | 9.93% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 0.65% | 9.95%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.74% | 15.18%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 31.88%● | 3.52% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, COHR or PAYX?
- It depends on your goal. value: PAYX (lower P/E); growth: COHR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 11 to 4.
- Is COHR or PAYX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: COHR trades at a 132.82 P/E and PAYX at 23.44.
- Which has grown faster, COHR or PAYX?
- Over the past five years, COHR grew revenue faster — COHR at a 16.75% CAGR versus PAYX at 9.93%.
- Does COHR or PAYX pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYX pays a dividend (3.87% yield) while COHR does not currently pay one.
- Is COHR or PAYX more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — COHR at 7.10% versus PAYX at 27.03%.
- Which has been the better investment, COHR or PAYX?
- Over the past 10-year, COHR delivered the higher annualized total return — COHR at 30.09% versus PAYX at 9.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Coherent P/E ratioPaychex P/E ratioCoherent dividend yieldPaychex dividend yieldCoherent ROEPaychex ROECoherent operating marginPaychex operating marginCoherent revenue growthPaychex revenue growthCoherent free cash flowPaychex free cash flow
Coherent & Paychex appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 18, 2026.