AVAV vs. PAYX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and PAYX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVAV | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | Paychex, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 20.35 billion USD | 45.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 23, 2007 | August 26, 1983 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV and PAYX 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 13.11% | 2.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 72.11% | -13.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 246.55% | -17.55% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 98.51% | -7.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 29.41% | -0.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 164.81% | -9.72% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.46M | 3.55M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.42M | 2.57M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 48.69% | 19.36% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 0.92 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVAV
-2.55%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
AVAV has a negative Return on Equity of -2.55%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
PAYX
39.99%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 68.01%
- Q3
- 35.32%
- Median
- 21.92%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -20.25%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, PAYX’s Return on Equity of 39.99% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.14%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
AVAV has a negative Net Profit Margin of -4.14%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
PAYX
27.86%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 31.75%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 8.95%
- Q1
- 4.51%
- Min
- 0.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 27.86% places PAYX in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.75%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
AVAV has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.75%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
PAYX
37.44%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 30.62%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.60%
- Q1
- 8.60%
- Min
- -2.18%
PAYX’s Operating Profit Margin of 37.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.55% | 39.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -2.04% | 11.74% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.14% | 27.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.75% | 37.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.60% | 90.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
5.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 5.96 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
PAYX
1.27
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.75
- Median
- 1.34
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
PAYX’s Current Ratio of 1.27 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
0.16
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
PAYX
1.25
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
PAYX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.25 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
20.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
PAYX
55.47
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.41
- Median
- 11.64
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 55.47, PAYX demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 5.96 | 1.27 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 4.98 | 1.21 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.16 | 1.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.72 | 55.47 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV 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.
PAYX
3.26%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- 0.52%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.26%, PAYX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Professional Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV 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.
PAYX
91.97%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 128.51%
- Q3
- 69.03%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 18.05%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 91.97% is in the upper quartile for the Professional Services 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 | AVAV | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.26% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 91.97% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
P/E Ratio data for AVAV is currently unavailable.
PAYX
28.21
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.60
- Q3
- 33.83
- Median
- 24.95
- Q1
- 17.59
- Min
- 7.96
PAYX’s P/E Ratio of 28.21 is within the middle range for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
18.07
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
With a P/S Ratio of 18.07, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
PAYX
7.86
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.27
- Q3
- 4.40
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.17
PAYX’s P/S Ratio of 7.86 is in the upper echelon for the Professional Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
3.02
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 3.02 is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
PAYX
12.65
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.75
- Q3
- 9.53
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.59
PAYX’s P/B Ratio of 12.65 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 28.21 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 18.07 | 7.86 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.02 | 12.65 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 273.80 | 24.89 |