Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)
PAYX leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.
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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ODFL
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
$245.75Industrials
PAYX
Paychex, Inc.
$100.63Industrials
Total return — ODFL vs PAYX
growth of $100 · last 30yODFL +50793.6%PAYX +945.0%ODFL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
ODFL PAYX
ODFL vs PAYX: by the numbers
- •ODFL is the larger company ($51.11B vs $36.05B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.21 vs 51.41 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 18.46% net margin).
- •PAYX grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.95% vs 5.60% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 0.46%).
Which is better, ODFL or PAYX?
Metric tally: ODFL 3 · PAYX 14It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthPAYX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityODFL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 51.41 | 22.21● |
| Forward P/E | 38.80 | 18.31● |
| P/S ratio | 9.43 | 5.73● |
| P/B ratio | 11.69 | 9.04● |
| PEG ratio | 4.62 | 2.61● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.99 | 13.96● |
| FCF yield | 1.98% | 5.93%● |
Profitability
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.91% | 73.93%● |
| Operating margin | 24.57% | 36.90%● |
| Net margin | 18.46% | 25.84%● |
| ROE | 22.89% | 40.78%● |
| ROIC | 19.91%● | 16.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.46% | 4.40%● |
| Payout ratio | 23.51% | 96.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ODFL | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.60% | 9.95%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.14%● | 8.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.53% | 13.61%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.94%● | 2.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ODFL or PAYX?
- It depends on your goal. value: PAYX (lower P/E); growth: PAYX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PAYX (higher dividend yield); quality: ODFL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 14 to 3.
- Is ODFL or PAYX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: ODFL trades at a 51.41 P/E and PAYX at 22.21.
- Which has grown faster, ODFL or PAYX?
- Over the past five years, PAYX grew revenue faster — ODFL at a 5.60% CAGR versus PAYX at 9.95%.
- Does ODFL or PAYX pay a bigger dividend?
- ODFL yields 0.46% and PAYX yields 4.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ODFL or PAYX more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — ODFL at 18.46% versus PAYX at 25.84%.
- Which has been the better investment, ODFL or PAYX?
- Over the past 10-year, ODFL delivered the higher annualized total return — ODFL at 29.03% versus PAYX at 9.63%. 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 June 14, 2026.