FERG vs. PAYX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FERG and PAYX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FERG | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ferguson Enterprises Inc. | Paychex, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 46.88 billion USD | 50.73 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 5, 2010 | August 26, 1983 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FERG 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 | FERG | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.09% | 2.36% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 30.78% | -9.86% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 25.94% | -5.11% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.39% | 10.85% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.61% | -2.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 34.60% | 0.42% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.17M | 2.24M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.48M | 2.13M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 37.84% | 26.24% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 0.95 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FERG
28.84%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FERG’s Return on Equity of 28.84% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PAYX
41.38%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, PAYX’s Return on Equity of 41.38% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FERG
5.32%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
FERG’s Net Profit Margin of 5.32% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
PAYX
29.74%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
PAYX’s Net Profit Margin of 29.74% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FERG
8.25%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
FERG’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.25% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
PAYX
39.01%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
PAYX’s Operating Profit Margin of 39.01% 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 | FERG | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 28.84% | 41.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.56% | 13.58% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.32% | 29.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.25% | 39.01% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.46% | 90.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FERG
1.64
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
FERG’s Current Ratio of 1.64 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
PAYX
1.28
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
PAYX’s Current Ratio of 1.28 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)
FERG
0.74
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
FERG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74 is typical for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
PAYX
1.20
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
PAYX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.20 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)
FERG
14.77
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 2.70
- Min
- -1.67
FERG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 14.77 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
PAYX
55.47
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
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 | FERG | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.64 | 1.28 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.22 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 1.20 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 14.77 | 55.47 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FERG
1.42%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’s Dividend Yield of 1.42% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PAYX
2.88%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.88%, 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)
FERG
56.55%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.55% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PAYX
87.40%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 87.40% 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 | FERG | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.42% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 56.55% | 87.40% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FERG
28.25
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
A P/E Ratio of 28.25 places FERG in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
PAYX
30.36
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
PAYX’s P/E Ratio of 30.36 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)
FERG
1.50
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
FERG’s P/S Ratio of 1.50 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
PAYX
9.03
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
PAYX’s P/S Ratio of 9.03 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)
FERG
6.10
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
FERG’s P/B Ratio of 6.10 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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.
PAYX
13.75
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
PAYX’s P/B Ratio of 13.75 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 | FERG | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 28.25 | 30.36 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.50 | 9.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.10 | 13.75 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 32.69 | 29.96 |