Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)
DAL leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. 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 — DAL vs PAYX
growth of $100 · last 19yDAL +264.5%PAYX +176.7%DAL compounded faster
DAL PAYX
DAL vs PAYX: by the numbers
- •DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $36.05B market cap).
- •DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 22.21 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 6.87% net margin).
- •DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 9.95% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 0.90%).
Which is better, DAL or PAYX?
Metric tally: DAL 10 · PAYX 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DAL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.13● | 22.21 |
| Forward P/E | 15.17● | 18.31 |
| P/S ratio | 0.83● | 5.73 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66● | 9.04 |
| PEG ratio | 0.21● | 2.61 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.95● | 13.96 |
| FCF yield | 7.24%● | 5.93% |
Profitability
| Metric | DAL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 26.19% | 73.93%● |
| Operating margin | 8.83% | 36.90%● |
| Net margin | 6.87% | 25.84%● |
| ROE | 21.97% | 40.78%● |
| ROIC | 8.30% | 16.77%● |
Dividends
| Metric | DAL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.90% | 4.40%● |
| Payout ratio | 9.72% | 96.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DAL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 38.80%● | 9.95% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 0.89% | 8.50%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 115.85%● | 13.61% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.90%● | 2.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DAL or PAYX?
- It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PAYX (higher dividend yield); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 10 to 7.
- Is DAL or PAYX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: DAL trades at a 12.13 P/E and PAYX at 22.21.
- Which has grown faster, DAL or PAYX?
- Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus PAYX at 9.95%.
- Does DAL or PAYX pay a bigger dividend?
- DAL yields 0.90% and PAYX yields 4.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is DAL or PAYX more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus PAYX at 25.84%.
- Which has been the better investment, DAL or PAYX?
- Over the past 10-year, PAYX delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 9.39% versus PAYX at 9.63%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Delta Air Lines P/E ratioPaychex P/E ratioDelta Air Lines dividend yieldPaychex dividend yieldDelta Air Lines ROEPaychex ROEDelta Air Lines operating marginPaychex operating marginDelta Air Lines revenue growthPaychex revenue growthDelta Air Lines free cash flowPaychex free cash flow
Delta Air Lines & 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.