FLEX vs. PAYC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FLEX and PAYC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FLEX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Flex Ltd. | Paycom Software, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 21.69 billion USD | 12.24 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 18, 1994 | April 15, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FLEX 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 | FLEX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.68% | -4.27% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 16.13% | -10.05% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 63.90% | -6.55% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 72.74% | 24.04% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.11% | -8.37% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 51.00% | 1.55% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.03M | 0.78M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.12M | 0.63M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.46% | 29.85% |
| Beta | 1.26 | 0.89 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 21.57%
- Q3
- 13.27%
- Median
- 8.55%
- Q1
- 4.42%
- Min
- -4.21%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s Return on Equity of 16.77% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PAYC
25.35%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 68.01%
- Q3
- 35.32%
- Median
- 21.92%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -20.25%
PAYC’s Return on Equity of 25.35% 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)
FLEX
3.42%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 17.31%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -3.00%
FLEX’s Net Profit Margin of 3.42% 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
21.21%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 31.75%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 8.95%
- Q1
- 4.51%
- Min
- 0.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 21.21% 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)
FLEX
4.78%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 15.08%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -3.83%
FLEX’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.78% 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
28.10%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 30.62%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.60%
- Q1
- 8.60%
- Min
- -2.18%
An Operating Profit Margin of 28.10% 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 | FLEX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.77% | 25.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.59% | 9.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.42% | 21.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.78% | 28.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.94% | 82.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.57
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.62
FLEX’s Current Ratio of 1.30 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
1.30
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.75
- Median
- 1.34
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
PAYC’s Current Ratio of 1.30 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)
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
FLEX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
PAYC
0.00
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.98
- 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)
FLEX
7.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 79.05
- Q3
- 36.62
- Median
- 12.51
- Q1
- 3.72
- Min
- -18.73
FLEX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.39 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
- 20.41
- Median
- 11.64
- 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 | FLEX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 1.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.27 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.39 | 191.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.36%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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
0.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- 0.52%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYC’s Dividend Yield of 0.71% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 218.94%
- Q3
- 90.25%
- Median
- 38.81%
- Q1
- 3.69%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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
20.52%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 128.51%
- Q3
- 69.03%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 18.05%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.52% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FLEX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 20.52% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
24.43
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 74.74
- Q3
- 42.40
- Median
- 26.55
- Q1
- 20.05
- Min
- 10.12
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 24.43 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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
28.98
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.60
- Q3
- 33.83
- Median
- 24.95
- Q1
- 17.59
- Min
- 7.96
PAYC’s P/E Ratio of 28.98 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)
FLEX
0.83
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.58
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.20
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.83 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
6.15
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.27
- Q3
- 4.40
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.17
PAYC’s P/S Ratio of 6.15 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)
FLEX
2.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.92
- Q3
- 3.80
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.44
FLEX’s P/B Ratio of 2.53 is within the conventional range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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
7.19
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.75
- Q3
- 9.53
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.59
PAYC’s P/B Ratio of 7.19 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 | FLEX | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.43 | 28.98 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.83 | 6.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.53 | 7.19 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.72 | 33.95 |