Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)
PAYX leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Paychex, Inc. and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
PAYX
Paychex, Inc.
$100.63Industrials
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
$265.20Industrials
Total return — PAYX vs WAB
growth of $100 · last 30yPAYX +923.7%WAB +4410.2%WAB compounded faster
PAYX WAB
PAYX vs WAB: by the numbers
- •WAB is the larger company ($45.00B vs $36.05B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.21 vs 37.51 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 10.52% net margin).
- •PAYX grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.95% vs 9.07% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 0.42%).
Which is better, PAYX or WAB?
Metric tally: PAYX 12 · WAB 5It 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 | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.21● | 37.51 |
| Forward P/E | 18.31● | 24.98 |
| P/S ratio | 5.73 | 3.93● |
| P/B ratio | 9.04 | 4.06● |
| PEG ratio | 2.61 | 2.32● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.96● | 22.29 |
| FCF yield | 5.93%● | 3.63% |
Profitability
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 73.93%● | 33.81% |
| Operating margin | 36.90%● | 16.10% |
| Net margin | 25.84%● | 10.52% |
| ROE | 40.78%● | 10.85% |
| ROIC | 16.77%● | 7.64% |
Dividends
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.40%● | 0.42% |
| Payout ratio | 96.30% | 16.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.95%● | 9.07% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.50% | 25.77%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 13.61%● | 9.83% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.18% | 27.28%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PAYX or WAB?
- 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 12 to 5.
- Is PAYX or WAB cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: PAYX trades at a 22.21 P/E and WAB at 37.51.
- Which has grown faster, PAYX or WAB?
- Over the past five years, PAYX grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.95% CAGR versus WAB at 9.07%.
- Does PAYX or WAB pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYX yields 4.40% and WAB yields 0.42% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is PAYX or WAB more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 25.84% versus WAB at 10.52%.
- Which has been the better investment, PAYX or WAB?
- Over the past 10-year, WAB delivered the higher annualized total return — PAYX at 9.63% versus WAB at 14.10%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Paychex P/E ratioWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies P/E ratioPaychex dividend yieldWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies dividend yieldPaychex ROEWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies ROEPaychex operating marginWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies operating marginPaychex revenue growthWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies revenue growthPaychex free cash flowWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies free cash flow
Paychex & Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies 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 13, 2026.