Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL)
UAL leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Paychex, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
PAYX
Paychex, Inc.
$100.90Industrials
UAL
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
$119.97Industrials
Total return — PAYX vs UAL
growth of $100 · last 20yPAYX +177.3%UAL +280.0%UAL compounded faster
PAYX UAL
PAYX vs UAL: by the numbers
- •UAL is the larger company ($38.94B vs $36.15B market cap).
- •UAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.71 vs 22.27 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 6.06% net margin).
- •UAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (41.67% vs 9.95% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays a dividend (4.39% yield) while UAL does not currently pay one.
Which is better, PAYX or UAL?
Metric tally: PAYX 6 · UAL 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueUAL(lower P/E)
GrowthUAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PAYX | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.27 | 10.71● |
| Forward P/E | 18.37 | 8.32● |
| P/S ratio | 5.74 | 0.65● |
| P/B ratio | 9.07 | 2.47● |
| PEG ratio | 2.62 | 1.66● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.00 | 7.17● |
| FCF yield | 5.91% | 8.18%● |
Profitability
| Metric | PAYX | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 73.93%● | 64.24% |
| Operating margin | 36.90%● | 8.44% |
| Net margin | 25.84%● | 6.06% |
| ROE | 40.78%● | 23.09% |
| ROIC | 16.77%● | 6.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | PAYX | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.39% | — |
| Payout ratio | 96.30% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PAYX | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.95% | 41.67%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.50%● | -2.15% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 13.61% | 61.78%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.37% | 16.76%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PAYX or UAL?
- It depends on your goal. value: UAL (lower P/E); growth: UAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UAL leads 10 to 6.
- Is PAYX or UAL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, UAL is cheaper: PAYX trades at a 22.27 P/E and UAL at 10.71.
- Which has grown faster, PAYX or UAL?
- Over the past five years, UAL grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.95% CAGR versus UAL at 41.67%.
- Does PAYX or UAL pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYX pays a dividend (4.39% yield) while UAL does not currently pay one.
- Is PAYX or UAL more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 25.84% versus UAL at 6.06%.
- Which has been the better investment, PAYX or UAL?
- Over the past 10-year, UAL delivered the higher annualized total return — PAYX at 9.68% versus UAL at 10.84%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Paychex P/E ratioUnited Airlines P/E ratioPaychex dividend yieldUnited Airlines dividend yieldPaychex ROEUnited Airlines ROEPaychex operating marginUnited Airlines operating marginPaychex revenue growthUnited Airlines revenue growthPaychex free cash flowUnited Airlines free cash flow
Paychex & United Airlines 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 15, 2026.