MMM vs. PAYX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MMM and PAYX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MMM | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | 3M Company | Paychex, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Industrial Conglomerates | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 82.42 billion USD | 50.73 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | August 26, 1983 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MMM 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 | MMM | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.21% | 2.36% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.40% | -9.86% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 4.05% | -5.11% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 21.77% | 10.85% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.71% | -2.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 19.88% | 0.42% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.22M | 2.24M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.45M | 2.13M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.14% | 26.24% |
| Beta | 1.04 | 0.95 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MMM
91.40%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 21.93%
- Q3
- 14.23%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 5.91%
- Min
- -3.58%
MMM’s Return on Equity of 91.40% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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)
MMM
16.01%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 18.70%
- Q3
- 12.58%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- -2.26%
A Net Profit Margin of 16.01% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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)
MMM
19.46%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 25.69%
- Q3
- 17.03%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 8.81%
- Min
- -0.73%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.46% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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 | MMM | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 91.40% | 41.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.93% | 13.58% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.01% | 29.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.46% | 39.01% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.11% | 90.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MMM
1.72
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.61
MMM’s Current Ratio of 1.72 is in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its 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)
MMM
3.06
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.27
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.21
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.06, MMM operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Industrial Conglomerates industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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)
MMM
-15.31
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 11.17
- Q3
- 8.02
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- -2.15
MMM has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.31. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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 | MMM | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.72 | 1.28 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 1.22 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.06 | 1.20 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -15.31 | 55.47 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MMM
1.88%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 10.17%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.14%
- Q1
- 1.88%
- Min
- 0.00%
MMM’s Dividend Yield of 1.88% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
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)
MMM
39.27%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 181.91%
- Q3
- 95.57%
- Median
- 50.60%
- Q1
- 35.01%
- Min
- 1.76%
MMM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.27% is within the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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 | MMM | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.88% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 39.27% | 87.40% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MMM
20.92
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 36.98
- Q3
- 22.09
- Median
- 12.18
- Q1
- 8.93
- Min
- 5.63
MMM’s P/E Ratio of 20.92 is within the middle range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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)
MMM
3.35
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 3.60
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.42
- Min
- 0.11
MMM’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.
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)
MMM
18.90
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 4.89
- Q3
- 2.51
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.27
At 18.90, MMM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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.
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 | MMM | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.92 | 30.36 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.35 | 9.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 18.90 | 13.75 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.86 | 29.96 |