Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: PAYCAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

PAYC AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) provides cloud-based human capital management software primarily for small to mid-sized businesses. The company delivered $2.14B in trailing twelve-month revenue with a 31.7% operating margin and generated $408.0M in free cash flow in FY2025. Although annual revenue growth has moderated from 30.3% in FY2022 to 8.9% in FY2025, PAYC stock is up 59.0% year-to-date.

Market cap
$11.34B
Revenue (TTM)
$2.14B
P/E
26.6x
fwd 16.7x
1Y return
26.7%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$222.59
-11.5% vs last close

Bull case

  • Trailing twelve-month operating margin reached 31.7%, comfortably outperforming the US-listed Technology peer median of 13.2%.
  • Free cash flow climbed to $408.0M in FY2025, supporting $325.5M in share buybacks and a 21.2% reduction in share count over 5 years.
  • Quarterly earnings jumped 48.1% year-over-year in the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, alongside estimated 30.9% EPS growth for FY2026.

Bear case

  • Annual revenue growth slowed from 30.3% in FY2022 to 8.9% in FY2025, and quarterly revenue growth of 9.8% lags the peer median of 11.6%.
  • Gross margin has dropped steadily from 84.7% in FY2021 to 78.6% in FY2025.
  • The analyst mean price target of $222.59 sits 11.5% below the recent closing price of $251.64.

What Paycom Software does

Paycom Software, Inc. operates as a provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions delivered via software-as-a-service (SaaS) for small to mid-sized businesses in the United States. Its platform covers the complete employment lifecycle, spanning recruitment, onboarding, talent acquisition, background checks, and tax credit services. Paycom integrates time and labor management tools such as scheduling, geofencing, and attendance tracking, alongside automated payroll processing and expense management. The company also offers talent management tools including employee self-service and compensation planning, the mobile-friendly "Manager on-the-Go" feature, and compliance tools for benefits administration, COBRA, and the Affordable Care Act.

Growth and profitability

Between FY2021 and FY2025, Paycom increased annual revenue from $1.06B to $2.05B, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of 19.5% from FY2020 to FY2025. However, annual revenue expansion decelerated from 25.4% in FY2021 and 30.3% in FY2022 to 11.2% in FY2024 and 8.9% in FY2025. Gross margin contracted from 84.7% in FY2021 to 78.6% in FY2025, while operating margin moved from 24.0% in FY2021 to 27.6% in FY2025 after peaking at 33.7% in FY2024. Net income reached $453.4M in FY2025, down from $502.0M in FY2024. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 9.8% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 48.1%. Trailing twelve-month revenue stands at $2.14B with EPS of $9.45.

PAYC income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Paycom held $198.0M in cash and short-term investments against $982.8M in total debt, leaving net debt at $784.8M. Total assets stood at $5.20B and shareholders' equity was $571.5M, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.07. In FY2025, the company generated $678.9M in operating cash flow and funded $270.9M in capital expenditures, delivering $408.0M in free cash flow. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $325.5M for share buybacks and $84.8M in dividends paid, contributing to a 5-year share count reduction of 21.2%.

PAYC balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At a last close of $251.64, Paycom holds a market capitalization of $11.34B and an enterprise value of $10.78B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 26.6x and a forward P/E of 16.7x, compared to medians of 28.1x and 18.8x for its US-listed Technology peers. Paycom's EV/EBITDA stands at 12.0x versus the peer median of 16.6x, while its price-to-sales ratio of 5.3x sits above the peer median of 2.8x. Over the past year, PAYC returned 26.7%, outperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%, though its 5-year return of -50.1% trails the S&P 500's 83.0% gain.

PAYC key metrics →

PAYC dividend

Paycom pays a forward annual dividend of $1.50 per share, representing a dividend yield of 0.60% and a payout ratio of 16.1%. The company distributes dividends on a quarterly frequency and has paid dividends for 4 consecutive years, with its most recent ex-dividend date on August 24, 2026.

PAYC dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 6 Strong Buy, 13 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings. The consensus mean price target is $222.59, representing an 11.5% discount to the last close of $251.64. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate revenue of $2.21B and EPS of $12.10, indicating 30.9% EPS growth. For the following fiscal year, 21 analysts project revenue of $2.37B and EPS of $13.96. Paycom has topped EPS expectations in 2 of the last 4 quarters, with its next earnings report scheduled for November 4, 2026.

PAYC forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Paycom carries $982.8M in total debt against $198.0M in cash, resulting in net debt of $784.8M and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72.
  • Forward revenue growth is projected to slow further to 7.4% in the next fiscal year ending after FY2026.
  • The company has topped EPS estimates in only 2 of the past 4 quarters, indicating potential quarterly earnings volatility.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this PAYC AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: PAYC income statement, PAYC balance sheet, PAYC key metrics, PAYC analyst forecast, PAYC chart. See the PAYC stock overview for the latest quote and news.

PAYC AI stock analysis FAQ

Does Paycom Software pay a dividend?

Yes, Paycom pays a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share annually, yielding 0.60% with a payout ratio of 16.1%.

When does Paycom report its next earnings?

Paycom is scheduled to report its next quarterly financial results on November 4, 2026.

How does Paycom's valuation compare to technology peers?

Paycom trades at a forward P/E of 16.7x and an EV/EBITDA of 12.0x, both below the US-listed Technology peer medians of 18.8x and 16.6x, though its price-to-sales of 5.3x exceeds the peer median of 2.8x.

What is Paycom's revenue growth outlook?

Analysts project full-year FY2026 revenue of $2.21B, followed by $2.37B in the next fiscal year, representing an estimated growth rate of 7.4%.

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