AKAM vs. PAYC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AKAM and PAYC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AKAM’s market capitalization stands at 11.31 billion USD, while PAYC’s is 13.48 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 0.77 for AKAM and 0.82 for PAYC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AKAM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Akamai Technologies, Inc. | Paycom Software, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Application |
| CEO | F. Thomson Leighton | Chad R. Richison |
| Price | 79.48 USD | 233.07 USD |
| Market Cap | 11.31 billion USD | 13.48 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.77 | 0.82 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | October 29, 1999 | April 15, 2014 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AKAM and PAYC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AKAM
9.52%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
AKAM’s Return on Equity of 9.52% is on par with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
PAYC
25.50%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 4.73%
- Q1
- -10.56%
- Min
- -52.94%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, PAYC’s Return on Equity of 25.50% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
AKAM
4.40%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
AKAM’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.40% is in line with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
PAYC
18.14%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 35.07%
- Q3
- 9.72%
- Median
- 0.76%
- Q1
- -8.68%
- Min
- -34.12%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, PAYC’s Return on Invested Capital of 18.14% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
AKAM
11.26%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
AKAM’s Net Profit Margin of 11.26% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
PAYC
20.60%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 16.07%
- Median
- 1.83%
- Q1
- -9.60%
- Min
- -45.64%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.60% places PAYC in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
AKAM
12.97%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
AKAM’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.97% is around the midpoint for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
PAYC
27.88%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 51.67%
- Q3
- 15.35%
- Median
- 1.79%
- Q1
- -12.42%
- Min
- -45.17%
An Operating Profit Margin of 27.88% places PAYC in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.52% | 25.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.53% | 8.62% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.40% | 18.14% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.26% | 20.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.97% | 27.88% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 59.07% | 80.38% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AKAM
1.18
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
AKAM’s Current Ratio of 1.18 aligns with the median group of the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
PAYC
1.20
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 5.09
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.70
- Q1
- 1.12
- Min
- 0.04
PAYC’s Current Ratio of 1.20 aligns with the median group of the Software - Application industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AKAM
1.01
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
AKAM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.01 is typical for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
PAYC
0.05
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 1.85
- Q3
- 0.77
- Median
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Software - Application industry, PAYC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AKAM
17.98
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
AKAM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.98 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
PAYC
156.12
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 39.23
- Q3
- 8.55
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- -14.59
- Min
- -39.97
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 156.12, PAYC demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software - Application industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.18 | 1.20 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.18 | 1.20 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.01 | 0.05 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.46 | 0.02 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 2.78 | -0.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 17.98 | 156.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AKAM and PAYC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AKAM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AKAM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
PAYC
0.64%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 3.66%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.64%, PAYC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software - Application industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AKAM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AKAM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
PAYC
21.48%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 81.09%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 21.48% is in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.64% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 21.48% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AKAM
26.17
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
AKAM’s P/E Ratio of 26.17 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
PAYC
33.11
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 194.31
- Q3
- 98.56
- Median
- 51.87
- Q1
- 22.76
- Min
- 1.02
PAYC’s P/E Ratio of 33.11 is within the middle range for the Software - Application industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AKAM
3.08
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
AKAM’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.08 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
PAYC
3.20
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 15.44
- Q3
- 6.57
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.00
PAYC’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.20 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Application industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AKAM
2.81
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
AKAM’s P/S Ratio of 2.81 aligns with the market consensus for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
PAYC
7.04
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 23.49
- Q3
- 11.14
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 2.84
- Min
- 0.33
PAYC’s P/S Ratio of 7.04 aligns with the market consensus for the Software - Application industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AKAM
2.58
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 19.94
- Q3
- 10.91
- Median
- 6.33
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.51
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.
PAYC
7.60
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 21.03
- Q3
- 10.49
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- 2.89
- Min
- 0.12
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Application industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 26.17 | 33.11 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.08 | 3.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 2.81 | 7.04 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.58 | 7.60 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 14.33 | 35.01 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 11.70 | 18.70 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.69 | 6.81 |