Is PAYX or XYL cheaper?

On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: PAYX trades at a 22.21 P/E and XYL at 27.38.

Which has grown faster, PAYX or XYL?

Over the past five years, XYL grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.95% CAGR versus XYL at 12.66%.

Does PAYX or XYL pay a bigger dividend?

PAYX yields 4.40% and XYL yields 1.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is PAYX or XYL more profitable?

PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 25.84% versus XYL at 10.70%.

Which has been the better investment, PAYX or XYL?

Over the past 10-year, XYL delivered the higher annualized total return — PAYX at 9.63% versus XYL at 10.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Xylem Inc. (XYL)

PAYX leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Paychex, Inc. and Xylem Inc. 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 XYL

growth of $100 · last 15y

PAYX +253.1%XYL +334.2%XYL compounded faster

PAYX XYL

PAYX vs XYL: by the numbers

•PAYX is the larger company ($36.05B vs $26.17B market cap).
•PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.21 vs 27.38 P/E).
•PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 10.70% net margin).
•XYL grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.66% vs 9.95% CAGR).
•PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 1.51%).

Which is better, PAYX or XYL?

Metric tally: PAYX 13 · XYL 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePAYX(lower P/E)

GrowthXYL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)

QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	PAYX	XYL
P/E ratio	22.21●	27.38
Forward P/E	18.31●	19.89
P/S ratio	5.73	2.95●
P/B ratio	9.04	2.44●
PEG ratio	2.61●	4.89
EV / EBITDA	13.96●	15.49
FCF yield	5.93%●	3.61%

Profitability

Metric	PAYX	XYL
Gross margin	73.93%●	38.61%
Operating margin	36.90%●	13.60%
Net margin	25.84%●	10.70%
ROE	40.78%●	8.87%
ROIC	16.77%●	6.42%

Dividends

Metric	PAYX	XYL
Dividend yield	4.40%●	1.51%
Payout ratio	96.30%	42.24%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	PAYX	XYL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	9.95%	12.66%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	8.50%	22.76%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	13.61%●	8.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	2.18%●	-0.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PAYX or XYL?: It depends on your goal. value: PAYX (lower P/E); growth: XYL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PAYX (higher dividend yield); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 13 to 4.
Is PAYX or XYL cheaper?: On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: PAYX trades at a 22.21 P/E and XYL at 27.38.
Which has grown faster, PAYX or XYL?: Over the past five years, XYL grew revenue faster — PAYX at a 9.95% CAGR versus XYL at 12.66%.
Does PAYX or XYL pay a bigger dividend?: PAYX yields 4.40% and XYL yields 1.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PAYX or XYL more profitable?: PAYX runs the higher net margin — PAYX at 25.84% versus XYL at 10.70%.
Which has been the better investment, PAYX or XYL?: Over the past 10-year, XYL delivered the higher annualized total return — PAYX at 9.63% versus XYL at 10.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full PAYX analysis Full XYL analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Paychex P/E ratio Xylem P/E ratio Paychex dividend yield Xylem dividend yield Paychex ROE Xylem ROE Paychex operating margin Xylem operating margin Paychex revenue growth Xylem revenue growth Paychex free cash flow Xylem free cash flow

Paychex & Xylem appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest Operating Margin Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

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.