Paychex (PAYX) vs United Rentals (URI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
United Rentals (URI) has outperformed Paychex (PAYX) over the past year, gaining 4.9% versus a loss of 20.1%. Over five years, URI leads with a +197.0% price change compared with -14.8% for PAYX. United Rentals is the larger company by market cap ($64.57 billion vs $36.15 billion), about 1.8 times the size, while Paychex is growing revenue faster (+16.9% vs +4.9%).
On valuation, Paychex trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 18.1x for United Rentals). Paychex offers the higher dividend yield (4.47% vs 0.72%). Paychex converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.0% versus 15.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | PAYX | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $101.55 | $1,037.44 |
| Market cap | $36.15B | $64.57B |
| 1-day change | +0.52% | -4.00% |
| YTD return | -9.48% | +28.19% |
| 1-year return | -20.05% | +4.94% |
| 5-year return | -14.77% | +196.97% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.03 | 24.94 |
| Forward P/E | 15.90 | 18.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.07 | $41.59 |
| Dividend yield | 4.47% | 0.72% |
| Annual dividend | $4.54 | $7.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.51B | $16.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.88% | +4.91% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.76B | $2.49B |
| Gross margin | 74.29% | 38.16% |
| Operating margin | 38.55% | 24.68% |
| Net margin | 27.03% | 15.49% |
| 52-week high | $129.24 | $1,179.18 |
| 52-week low | $85.45 | $701.59 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.43% | -12.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.19% | +22.03% |
| Average volume | 3.00M | 471.82K |
| Shares outstanding | 355.98M | 62.24M |
| Employees | 17,600 | 28,500 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Diversified Commercial Services | Diversified Commercial Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- URI has outperformed PAYX by 25.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Paychex offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.47% vs 0.72%).
- Paychex is more profitable, keeping 27.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.5 cents for United Rentals.
- Paychex grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.88% vs +4.91%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Paychex in Industrials and United Rentals in Consumer Discretionary.
About Paychex
PAYX stock →Paychex, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides human capital management solutions (HCM) for human resources, payroll processing, employee benefits, and insurance services for small to medium-sized businesses in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, and Israel. It offers technology and advisory solutions; and payroll tax administration services.
Industrials · Diversified Commercial Services · 17,600 employees
About United Rentals
URI stock →United Rentals, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. It operates through two segments, General Rentals and Specialty.
Consumer Discretionary · Diversified Commercial Services · 28,500 employees
PAYX vs URI FAQ
Which is bigger, Paychex or United Rentals?
United Rentals (URI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $64.57B compared with $36.15B for Paychex (PAYX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PAYX or URI?
URI returned +4.94% over the past 12 months, compared with -20.05% for PAYX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PAYX or URI?
PAYX has the lower trailing P/E at 20.0, versus 24.9 for URI. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Paychex or United Rentals?
Paychex has the higher yield at 4.47%, compared with 0.72% for United Rentals.
Are Paychex and United Rentals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Diversified Commercial Services industry within the Industrials sector.