CLS vs. PAYC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CLS and PAYC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CLS | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Celestica Inc. | Paycom Software, Inc. |
| Country | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 35.97 billion USD | 9.38 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 30, 1998 | April 15, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CLS 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -9.93% | -0.41% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 60.15% | -23.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 209.98% | -36.16% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 283.87% | -27.08% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -9.91% | -11.21% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 227.91% | -18.95% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.78M | 1.06M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.89M | 0.69M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 65.66% | 35.05% |
| Beta | 2.52 | 0.83 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CLS
39.60%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
CLS’s Return on Equity of 39.60% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
PAYC
26.64%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 50.82%
- Q3
- 32.98%
- Median
- 21.73%
- Q1
- 12.35%
- Min
- -10.69%
PAYC’s Return on Equity of 26.64% is on par with the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CLS
6.35%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
CLS’s Net Profit Margin of 6.35% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
PAYC
22.64%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 27.86%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 7.71%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- -9.49%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.64% places PAYC 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)
CLS
8.23%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
CLS’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.23% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
PAYC
29.69%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.71%
- Q3
- 19.52%
- Median
- 12.30%
- Q1
- 7.86%
- Min
- -1.29%
An Operating Profit Margin of 29.69% places PAYC in the upper quartile for the Professional Services 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 | CLS | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.60% | 26.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.62% | 9.69% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.35% | 22.64% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.23% | 29.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.04% | 82.95% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CLS
1.47
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
CLS’s Current Ratio of 1.47 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
PAYC
1.22
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.69
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
PAYC’s Current Ratio of 1.22 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)
CLS
0.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.00
CLS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.39 is typical for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
PAYC
0.00
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, PAYC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 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 (TTM)
CLS
36.72
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
CLS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 36.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
PAYC
191.88
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.35
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 191.88, PAYC 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 | CLS | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 1.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 1.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.39 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 36.72 | 191.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CLS
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
CLS 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
0.91%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.35%
- Q3
- 2.86%
- Median
- 1.57%
- Q1
- 0.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYC’s Dividend Yield of 0.91% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CLS
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
CLS 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
18.80%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 99.60%
- Q3
- 69.06%
- Median
- 43.41%
- Q1
- 19.44%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.80% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.91% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 18.80% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CLS
49.78
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
A P/E Ratio of 49.78 places CLS in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
PAYC
20.63
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.91
- Q3
- 32.20
- Median
- 25.00
- Q1
- 17.95
- Min
- 6.60
PAYC’s P/E Ratio of 20.63 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)
CLS
3.16
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
CLS’s P/S Ratio of 3.16 aligns with the market consensus for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
PAYC
4.67
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.52
- Q3
- 4.25
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.18
PAYC’s P/S Ratio of 4.67 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)
CLS
13.85
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.44
At 13.85, CLS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
PAYC
6.85
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.65
- Q3
- 9.28
- Median
- 6.16
- Q1
- 2.96
- Min
- 0.53
PAYC’s P/B Ratio of 6.85 is within the conventional range for the Professional Services 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 49.78 | 20.63 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.16 | 4.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.85 | 6.85 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 89.60 | 23.97 |