ASX vs. PAYC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASX and PAYC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASX’s market capitalization of 22.53 billion USD is substantially larger than PAYC’s 13.48 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 0.92 for ASX and 0.82 for PAYC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
ASX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, PAYC is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ASX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | Paycom Software, Inc. |
| Country | TW | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Application |
| CEO | Hung-Pen Chang | Chad R. Richison |
| Price | 10.37 USD | 233.07 USD |
| Market Cap | 22.53 billion USD | 13.48 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.82 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | October 2, 2000 | April 15, 2014 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASX 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
ASX
11.03%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ASX’s Return on Equity of 11.03% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors 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
ASX
5.98%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
ASX’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.98% is in line with the norm for the Semiconductors 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
ASX
5.61%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
ASX’s Net Profit Margin of 5.61% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors 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
ASX
7.01%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
ASX’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.01% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors 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 | ASX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.03% | 25.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.43% | 8.62% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 5.98% | 18.14% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.61% | 20.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.01% | 27.88% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.32% | 80.38% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASX
1.04
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ASX’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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
ASX
0.72
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ASX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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
ASX
7.79
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
ASX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.79 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | ASX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.04 | 1.20 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.82 | 1.20 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.72 | 0.05 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 0.02 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.32 | -0.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.79 | 156.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASX 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
ASX
3.60%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.60%, ASX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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
ASX
65.52%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.52% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors 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.
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 | ASX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.60% | 0.64% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 65.52% | 21.48% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASX
18.57
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASX’s P/E Ratio of 18.57 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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
ASX
0.73
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.01
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.
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
ASX
1.05
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASX’s P/S Ratio of 1.05 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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
ASX
2.04
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
ASX’s P/B Ratio of 2.04 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
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 | ASX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 18.57 | 33.11 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 0.73 | 3.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 1.05 | 7.04 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.04 | 7.60 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -63.40 | 35.01 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.08 | 18.70 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 1.29 | 6.81 |