About Paychex, Inc.
Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has been publicly traded since 1983, making it a 43-year-old public company. It operates in the Software - Application industry within the Technology sector. The company is headquartered in Rochester, United States and employs approximately 19,000 people. With a market capitalization of $33 billion, PAYX is a large established company.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $92.61
- Market Cap
- $33.24B
- 52-Week High
- $161.24
- 52-Week Low
- $86.89
- Sector
- Technology
- Industry
- Software - Application
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -16.59% | $111.03 | $92.61 |
| 2025 | -17.49% | $134.56 | $111.03 |
| 2024 | +21.31% | $110.92 | $134.56 |
| 2023 | +6.21% | $104.44 | $110.92 |
| 2022 | -13.16% | $120.26 | $104.44 |
| 2021 | +50.16% | $80.09 | $120.26 |
| 2020 | +13.25% | $70.71 | $80.09 |
| 2019 | +34.53% | $52.56 | $70.71 |
| 2018 | -1.08% | $53.14 | $52.56 |
| 2017 | +15.41% | $46.04 | $53.14 |
| 2016 | +18.98% | $38.70 | $46.04 |
| 2015 | +18.40% | $32.69 | $38.70 |
| 2014 | +4.96% | $31.14 | $32.69 |
| 2013 | +48.92% | $20.91 | $31.14 |
| 2012 | +9.67% | $19.07 | $20.91 |
| 2011 | +1.43% | $18.80 | $19.07 |
| 2010 | +5.36% | $17.84 | $18.80 |
| 2009 | +22.11% | $14.61 | $17.84 |
| 2008 | -24.62% | $19.39 | $14.61 |
| 2007 | -6.02% | $20.63 | $19.39 |
| 2006 | +5.65% | $19.52 | $20.63 |
| 2005 | +13.71% | $17.17 | $19.52 |
| 2004 | -7.05% | $18.47 | $17.17 |
| 2003 | +35.28% | $13.65 | $18.47 |
| 2002 | -18.78% | $16.81 | $13.65 |
| 2001 | -27.59% | $23.22 | $16.81 |
| 2000 | +83.60% | $12.65 | $23.22 |
| 1999 | +17.61% | $10.75 | $12.65 |
| 1998 | +53.46% | $7.01 | $10.75 |
| 1997 | +48.79% | $4.71 | $7.01 |
| 1996 | +55.63% | $3.03 | $4.71 |
| 1995 | +86.17% | $1.63 | $3.03 |
| 1994 | +16.59% | $1.39 | $1.63 |
| 1993 | +49.89% | $0.93 | $1.39 |
| 1992 | +53.16% | $0.61 | $0.93 |
| 1991 | +90.94% | $0.32 | $0.61 |
| 1990 | -4.78% | $0.33 | $0.32 |
| 1989 | +12.09% | $0.30 | $0.33 |
| 1988 | +6.24% | $0.28 | $0.30 |
| 1987 | +6.45% | $0.26 | $0.28 |
| 1986 | +83.55% | $0.14 | $0.26 |
| 1985 | +102.67% | $0.07 | $0.14 |
| 1984 | -21.87% | $0.09 | $0.07 |
Valuation
PAYX currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 21.0, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 15.7 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 8.6. The price-to-sales ratio is 5.5.
Dividends
Paychex, Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.66%. This translates to $4.32 per share annually. The payout ratio of 95% indicates high dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
PAYX has a beta of 0.89, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $86.89 to $161.24, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 15 analyst opinions, PAYX has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of $115.73 suggests 25.0% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paychex, Inc. do? ▼
Paychex, Inc. is a Software - Application company operating in the Technology sector. The company is headquartered in Rochester, United States.
What sector is PAYX in? ▼
PAYX operates in the Technology sector, specifically in the Software - Application industry.
When did PAYX go public? ▼
Paychex, Inc. went public in 1983, making it a 43-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in PAYX 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in PAYX five years ago would be worth approximately $1,132 today, representing a 13.2% return.
Does PAYX pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Paychex, Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 4.66%, which is $4.32 per share annually.
What is PAYX's market cap? ▼
Paychex, Inc. has a market capitalization of $33 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is PAYX's P/E ratio? ▼
PAYX has a trailing P/E ratio of 21.0 and a forward P/E of 15.7, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is PAYX a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 15 opinions, PAYX has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is $115.73.
Last updated: 3/14/2026