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).

Total return — PAYX vs WAB

growth of $100 · last 30y
PAYX +923.7%WAB +4410.2%WAB compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,024$4,510
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 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthPAYX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPAYXWAB
P/E ratio22.2137.51
Forward P/E18.3124.98
P/S ratio5.733.93
P/B ratio9.044.06
PEG ratio2.612.32
EV / EBITDA13.9622.29
FCF yield5.93%3.63%

Profitability

MetricPAYXWAB
Gross margin73.93%33.81%
Operating margin36.90%16.10%
Net margin25.84%10.52%
ROE40.78%10.85%
ROIC16.77%7.64%

Dividends

MetricPAYXWAB
Dividend yield4.40%0.42%
Payout ratio96.30%16.33%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPAYXWAB
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.

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.