PayPal (PYPL) vs United Rentals (URI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
United Rentals (URI) has outperformed PayPal (PYPL) over the past year, gaining 4.9% versus a loss of 26.4%. Over five years, URI leads with a +195.3% price change compared with -79.5% for PYPL. United Rentals is the larger company by market cap ($64.57 billion vs $47.01 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, PayPal trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 18.1x for United Rentals). PayPal offers the higher dividend yield (1.02% vs 0.72%). PayPal converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.8% 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 | PYPL | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $54.95 | $1,037.44 |
| Market cap | $47.01B | $64.57B |
| 1-day change | +0.62% | -4.00% |
| YTD return | -5.88% | +28.19% |
| 1-year return | -26.35% | +4.94% |
| 5-year return | -79.52% | +195.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.35 | 24.94 |
| Forward P/E | 9.50 | 18.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.31 | $41.59 |
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 0.72% |
| Annual dividend | $0.56 | $7.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $33.17B | $16.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.32% | +4.91% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $5.23B | $2.49B |
| Gross margin | — | 38.16% |
| Operating margin | 18.28% | 24.68% |
| Net margin | 15.78% | 15.49% |
| 52-week high | $79.22 | $1,179.18 |
| 52-week low | $38.46 | $701.59 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.63% | -12.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.59% | +22.03% |
| Average volume | 14.04M | 470.64K |
| Shares outstanding | 855.46M | 62.24M |
| Employees | 23,800 | 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 PYPL by 31.3 percentage points over the past year.
- United Rentals trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.9x vs 10.3x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: PayPal in Industrials and United Rentals in Consumer Discretionary.
About PayPal
PYPL stock →PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates a technology platform that enables digital payments for merchants and consumers worldwide.
Industrials · Diversified Commercial Services · 23,800 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
PYPL vs URI FAQ
Which is bigger, PayPal or United Rentals?
United Rentals (URI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $64.57B compared with $47.01B for PayPal (PYPL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PYPL or URI?
URI returned +4.94% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.35% for PYPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PYPL or URI?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.3, 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, PayPal or United Rentals?
PayPal has the higher yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.72% for United Rentals.
Are PayPal and United Rentals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Diversified Commercial Services industry within the Industrials sector.