Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)
A side-by-side comparison of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. and Paychex, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ODFL
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
$212.14IndustrialsAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
PAYX
Paychex, Inc.
$116.84IndustrialsAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ODFL vs PAYX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yODFL +55899.1%PAYX +2759.2%ODFL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
ODFL PAYX
ODFL vs PAYX: by the numbers
- •ODFL is the larger company ($44.12B vs $41.56B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.94 vs 40.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (27.03% vs 19.44% net margin).
- •PAYX grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.93% vs 4.12% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (3.79% vs 0.54%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.87 | 23.94 |
| Forward P/E | 36.82 | 21.27 |
| P/S ratio | 7.90 | 6.43 |
| P/B ratio | 9.74 | 11.21 |
| PEG ratio | 3.67 | 3.21 |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.37 | 15.35 |
| FCF yield | 2.29% | 5.55% |
Profitability
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.15% | 74.29% |
| Operating margin | 26.01% | 38.55% |
| Net margin | 19.44% | 27.03% |
| ROE | 23.95% | 47.12% |
| ROIC | 19.91% | 20.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.54% | 3.79% |
| Payout ratio | 23.51% | 90.41% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.12% | 9.93% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.14% | 9.95% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.53% | 15.18% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.07% | 3.68% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ODFL or PAYX?
- PAYX has the lower trailing P/E: ODFL trades at 40.87 and PAYX at 23.94. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ODFL or PAYX?
- Over the past five years, PAYX grew revenue faster — ODFL at a 4.12% CAGR versus PAYX at 9.93%.
- Does ODFL or PAYX pay a bigger dividend?
- ODFL yields 0.54% and PAYX yields 3.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ODFL or PAYX more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — ODFL at 19.44% versus PAYX at 27.03%.
- How have ODFL and PAYX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ODFL delivered 25.27% and PAYX delivered 10.39% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Old Dominion Freight Line P/E ratioPaychex P/E ratioOld Dominion Freight Line dividend yieldPaychex dividend yieldOld Dominion Freight Line ROEPaychex ROEOld Dominion Freight Line operating marginPaychex operating marginOld Dominion Freight Line revenue growthPaychex revenue growthOld Dominion Freight Line free cash flowPaychex free cash flow
Old Dominion Freight Line & 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 August 1, 2026.