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).

Compare

Total return — PAYX vs RKLB

growth of $100 · last 6y
PAYX +20.1%RKLB +683.4%RKLB compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100202120222023202420252026$120$783
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 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthRKLB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricPAYXRKLB
P/E ratio22.04
Forward P/E19.58
P/S ratio5.9272.20
P/B ratio10.3121.67
PEG ratio3.21
EV / EBITDA14.22
FCF yield6.03%

Profitability

MetricPAYXRKLB
Gross margin74.29%36.56%
Operating margin38.55%-33.20%
Net margin27.03%-26.87%
ROE47.12%-8.06%
ROIC20.49%-10.09%

Dividends

MetricPAYXRKLB
Dividend yield4.43%
Payout ratio97.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPAYXRKLB
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.

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.