Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)
PAYX leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Paychex, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CW vs PAYX
growth of $100 · last 30yCW +11454.9%PAYX +934.2%CW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CW PAYX
CW vs PAYX: by the numbers
- •PAYX is the larger company ($36.05B vs $28.00B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.21 vs 55.49 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 14.17% net margin).
- •PAYX grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.95% vs 8.60% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 0.16%).
Which is better, CW or PAYX?
Metric tally: CW 3 · PAYX 14It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthPAYX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CW | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 55.49 | 22.21● |
| Forward P/E | 44.41 | 18.31● |
| P/S ratio | 7.79 | 5.73● |
| P/B ratio | 10.67 | 9.04● |
| PEG ratio | 1.94● | 2.61 |
| EV / EBITDA | 35.32 | 13.96● |
| FCF yield | 2.10% | 5.93%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CW | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.17% | 73.93%● |
| Operating margin | 18.48% | 36.90%● |
| Net margin | 14.17% | 25.84%● |
| ROE | 19.42% | 40.78%● |
| ROIC | 12.41% | 16.77%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CW | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.16% | 4.40%● |
| Payout ratio | 9.43% | 96.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CW | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.60% | 9.95%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 21.79%● | 8.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.67% | 13.61%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 43.13%● | 2.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CW or PAYX?
- It depends on your goal. value: PAYX (lower P/E); growth: PAYX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PAYX (higher dividend yield); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 14 to 3.
- Is CW or PAYX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: CW trades at a 55.49 P/E and PAYX at 22.21.
- Which has grown faster, CW or PAYX?
- Over the past five years, PAYX grew revenue faster — CW at a 8.60% CAGR versus PAYX at 9.95%.
- Does CW or PAYX pay a bigger dividend?
- CW yields 0.16% and PAYX yields 4.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CW or PAYX more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — CW at 14.17% versus PAYX at 25.84%.
- Which has been the better investment, CW or PAYX?
- Over the past 10-year, CW delivered the higher annualized total return — CW at 24.85% versus PAYX at 9.63%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Curtiss-Wright P/E ratioPaychex P/E ratioCurtiss-Wright dividend yieldPaychex dividend yieldCurtiss-Wright ROEPaychex ROECurtiss-Wright operating marginPaychex operating marginCurtiss-Wright revenue growthPaychex revenue growthCurtiss-Wright free cash flowPaychex free cash flow
Curtiss-Wright & 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 June 15, 2026.