PAYC vs. PSTG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PAYC and PSTG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | PAYC | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Paycom Software, Inc. | Pure Storage, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| Market Capitalization | 12.82 billion USD | 19.89 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 15, 2014 | October 6, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PAYC and PSTG 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 | PAYC | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.14% | 9.21% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -12.77% | 9.48% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 6.96% | -6.47% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 38.44% | 0.53% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.58% | 2.25% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.18% | -0.93% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.61M | 2.58M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.60M | 2.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.58% | 37.33% |
| Beta | 0.84 | 1.18 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
PAYC
25.35%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
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.
PSTG
9.44%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
PSTG’s Return on Equity of 9.44% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
PAYC
21.21%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
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.
PSTG
3.93%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
PSTG’s Net Profit Margin of 3.93% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
PAYC
28.10%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
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.
PSTG
2.95%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
PSTG’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.95% is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | PAYC | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 25.35% | 9.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.26% | 3.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.21% | 3.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.10% | 2.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.44% | 69.26% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
PAYC
1.30
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- 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.
PSTG
1.61
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
PSTG’s Current Ratio of 1.61 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
PAYC
0.00
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- 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.
PSTG
0.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, PSTG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 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)
PAYC
191.88
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
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.
PSTG
-2.95
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
PSTG has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.95. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | PAYC | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 1.61 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.27 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.00 | 0.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 191.88 | -2.95 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
PAYC
0.65%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAYC’s Dividend Yield of 0.65% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
PAYC
20.52%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- 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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | PAYC | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.65% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.52% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
PAYC
31.73
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
PAYC’s P/E Ratio of 31.73 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.
PSTG
142.37
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
At 142.37, PSTG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
PAYC
6.73
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
PAYC’s P/S Ratio of 6.73 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.
PSTG
5.59
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 5.59, PSTG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
PAYC
7.19
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
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.
PSTG
12.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
PSTG’s P/B Ratio of 12.51 is in the upper tier for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | PAYC | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 31.73 | 142.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.73 | 5.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.19 | 12.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 37.18 | 32.15 |