IBM vs. PAYC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IBM and PAYC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IBM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | Paycom Software, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 268.90 billion USD | 12.24 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | April 15, 2014 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IBM 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 | IBM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.47% | -4.27% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.28% | -10.05% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 12.71% | -6.55% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 27.77% | 24.04% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 15.88% | -8.37% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 28.35% | 1.55% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.49M | 0.78M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.69M | 0.63M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.73% | 29.85% |
| Beta | 0.69 | 0.89 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IBM
21.99%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 32.78%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.86%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -10.00%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, IBM’s Return on Equity of 21.99% 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)
IBM
9.11%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 19.71%
- Q3
- 11.01%
- Median
- 6.66%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -6.22%
IBM’s Net Profit Margin of 9.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the IT Services 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)
IBM
9.77%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 22.44%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.82%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.89%
IBM’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.77% is around the midpoint for the IT Services 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 | IBM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.99% | 25.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.12% | 9.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.11% | 21.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.77% | 28.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.57% | 82.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
0.91
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 2.00
- Median
- 1.47
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.52
IBM’s Current Ratio of 0.91 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services 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)
IBM
2.33
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.11
- Q3
- 1.55
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.17
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.33. 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)
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- -28.15
IBM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 45.57 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services 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 | IBM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 1.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 1.27 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.33 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | 191.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IBM
2.35%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.79%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.58%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.35%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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)
IBM
75.57%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 107.85%
- Q3
- 52.62%
- Median
- 22.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IBM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 75.57% is in the upper quartile for the IT 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.
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 | IBM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.35% | 0.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 75.57% | 20.52% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IBM
45.14
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 56.41
- Q3
- 33.17
- Median
- 23.17
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 6.62
A P/E Ratio of 45.14 places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
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)
IBM
4.11
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.99
- Q3
- 4.26
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.12
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 4.11 aligns with the market consensus for the IT Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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)
IBM
9.96
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 7.54
- Median
- 3.84
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- 0.88
IBM’s P/B Ratio of 9.96 is in the upper tier for the IT 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.
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 | IBM | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 45.14 | 28.98 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.11 | 6.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.96 | 7.19 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.40 | 33.95 |