PAYX vs. RTO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PAYX and RTO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
PAYX is a standard domestic listing, while RTO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | PAYX | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Paychex, Inc. | Rentokil Initial plc |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 50.73 billion USD | 12.40 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 26, 1983 | November 18, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PAYX and RTO 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 | PAYX | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.36% | -2.47% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.86% | 3.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.11% | -12.52% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.85% | -24.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.44% | -4.27% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.42% | -9.36% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.24M | 3.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.13M | 4.20M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.24% | 31.78% |
| Beta | 0.95 | 0.93 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
RTO
6.17%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
RTO’s Return on Equity of 6.17% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
RTO
5.49%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
RTO’s Net Profit Margin of 5.49% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
RTO
9.93%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
RTO’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.93% is around the midpoint for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | PAYX | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 41.38% | 6.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.58% | 2.38% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.74% | 5.49% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.01% | 9.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 90.67% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
RTO
1.12
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
RTO’s Current Ratio of 1.12 aligns with the median group of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
RTO
1.14
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.14. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
RTO
5.22
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- -10.97
RTO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.22 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | PAYX | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.28 | 1.12 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.22 | 1.03 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 1.14 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 55.47 | 5.22 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
RTO
3.44%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
RTO’s Dividend Yield of 3.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
RTO
93.97%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
RTO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 93.97% is in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 | PAYX | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.88% | 3.44% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 87.40% | 93.97% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
RTO
27.30
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s P/E Ratio of 27.30 is within the middle range for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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)
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.
RTO
1.50
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s P/S Ratio of 1.50 aligns with the market consensus for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
RTO
1.69
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
RTO’s P/B Ratio of 1.69 is within the conventional range for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 | PAYX | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.36 | 27.30 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.03 | 1.50 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.75 | 1.69 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.96 | 13.32 |