Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)
PAYX leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Paychex, Inc. and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — PAYX vs RKLB
growth of $100 · last 6yPAYX +20.1%RKLB +683.4%RKLB compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
PAYX RKLB
PAYX vs RKLB: by the numbers
- •RKLB is the larger company ($44.42B vs $39.38B market cap).
- •PAYX is profitable (27.03% net margin) while RKLB runs a net loss (-26.87%).
- •RKLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (67.26% vs 9.93% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays a dividend (4.43% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
Which is better, PAYX or RKLB?
Metric tally: PAYX 7 · RKLB 2It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthRKLB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PAYX | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.04 | — |
| Forward P/E | 19.58 | — |
| P/S ratio | 5.92● | 72.20 |
| P/B ratio | 10.31● | 21.67 |
| PEG ratio | 3.21 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.22 | — |
| FCF yield | 6.03% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | PAYX | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 74.29%● | 36.56% |
| Operating margin | 38.55%● | -33.20% |
| Net margin | 27.03%● | -26.87% |
| ROE | 47.12%● | -8.06% |
| ROIC | 20.49%● | -10.09% |
Dividends
| Metric | PAYX | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.43% | — |
| Payout ratio | 97.14% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PAYX | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.93% | 67.26%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.95% | — |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.18% | — |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.84% | 47.41%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PAYX or RKLB?
- It depends on your goal. growth: RKLB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 7 to 2.
- Which has grown faster, PAYX or RKLB?
- Over the past five years, RKLB grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.93% CAGR versus RKLB at 67.26%.
- Does PAYX or RKLB pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYX pays a dividend (4.43% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
- Is PAYX or RKLB more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 27.03% versus RKLB at -26.87%.
- Which has been the better investment, PAYX or RKLB?
- Over the past 5-year, RKLB delivered the higher annualized total return — PAYX at 9.42% versus RKLB at 47.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Paychex P/E ratioRocket Lab USA P/E ratioPaychex dividend yieldRocket Lab USA dividend yieldPaychex ROERocket Lab USA ROEPaychex operating marginRocket Lab USA operating marginPaychex revenue growthRocket Lab USA revenue growthPaychex free cash flowRocket Lab USA free cash flow
Paychex & Rocket Lab USA 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 13, 2026.