Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK)
PAYX leads on 15 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Paychex, Inc. and Rockwell Automation, 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).
Total return — PAYX vs ROK
growth of $100 · last 30yPAYX +945.0%ROK +2060.6%ROK compounded faster
PAYX ROK
PAYX vs ROK: by the numbers
- •ROK is the larger company ($51.11B vs $36.05B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.21 vs 47.75 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 12.36% net margin).
- •PAYX grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.95% vs 6.91% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 1.19%).
Which is better, PAYX or ROK?
Metric tally: PAYX 15 · ROK 1It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthPAYX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | PAYX | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.21● | 47.75 |
| Forward P/E | 18.31● | 31.74 |
| P/S ratio | 5.73● | 5.87 |
| P/B ratio | 9.04● | 14.69 |
| PEG ratio | 2.61 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.96● | 33.43 |
| FCF yield | 5.93%● | 2.59% |
Profitability
| Metric | PAYX | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 73.93%● | 52.53% |
| Operating margin | 36.90%● | 19.08% |
| Net margin | 25.84%● | 12.36% |
| ROE | 40.78%● | 30.89% |
| ROIC | 16.77%● | 13.71% |
Dividends
| Metric | PAYX | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.40%● | 1.19% |
| Payout ratio | 96.30% | 70.87% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PAYX | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.95%● | 6.91% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.50%● | -2.73% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 13.61%● | 2.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.18% | 11.93%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PAYX or ROK?
- It depends on your goal. value: PAYX (lower P/E); growth: PAYX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PAYX (higher dividend yield); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 15 to 1.
- Is PAYX or ROK cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: PAYX trades at a 22.21 P/E and ROK at 47.75.
- Which has grown faster, PAYX or ROK?
- Over the past five years, PAYX grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.95% CAGR versus ROK at 6.91%.
- Does PAYX or ROK pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYX yields 4.40% and ROK yields 1.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is PAYX or ROK more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 25.84% versus ROK at 12.36%.
- Which has been the better investment, PAYX or ROK?
- Over the past 10-year, ROK delivered the higher annualized total return — PAYX at 9.63% versus ROK at 16.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Paychex P/E ratioRockwell Automation P/E ratioPaychex dividend yieldRockwell Automation dividend yieldPaychex ROERockwell Automation ROEPaychex operating marginRockwell Automation operating marginPaychex revenue growthRockwell Automation revenue growthPaychex free cash flowRockwell Automation free cash flow
Paychex & Rockwell Automation 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.