Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)
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 August 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
PAYX
Paychex, Inc.
$117.60IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 3, 2026, 11:10 AM EDT
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
$293.83IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 3, 2026, 11:10 AM EDT
Total return — PAYX vs WAB
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yPAYX +2759.2%WAB +6032.6%WAB compounded faster
PAYX WAB
PAYX vs WAB: by the numbers
- •WAB is the larger company ($49.63B vs $41.83B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.94 vs 39.09 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (27.03% vs 10.59% net margin).
- •PAYX grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.93% vs 9.16% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (3.79% vs 0.39%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.94 | 39.09 |
| Forward P/E | 21.27 | 26.84 |
| P/S ratio | 6.43 | 4.13 |
| P/B ratio | 11.21 | 4.40 |
| PEG ratio | 3.21 | 2.32 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.35 | 22.41 |
| FCF yield | 5.55% | 3.74% |
Profitability
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 74.29% | 34.33% |
| Operating margin | 38.55% | 16.54% |
| Net margin | 27.03% | 10.59% |
| ROE | 47.12% | 11.29% |
| ROIC | 20.49% | 7.64% |
Dividends
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.79% | 0.39% |
| Payout ratio | 90.41% | 16.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PAYX | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.93% | 9.16% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.95% | 25.77% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.18% | 14.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.68% | 28.63% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, PAYX or WAB?
- PAYX has the lower trailing P/E: PAYX trades at 23.94 and WAB at 39.09. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, PAYX or WAB?
- Over the past five years, PAYX grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.93% CAGR versus WAB at 9.16%.
- Does PAYX or WAB pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYX yields 3.79% and WAB yields 0.39% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is PAYX or WAB more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 27.03% versus WAB at 10.59%.
- How have PAYX and WAB total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, PAYX delivered 10.39% and WAB delivered 16.22% annualized total return. 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 August 3, 2026.