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PAYC stock forecast, quote, news & analysis

Founded in 1998, Paycom is a human capital management software-as-a-service provider addressing customer requirements surrounding payroll, talent acquisition, talent management, human resources management, and time and labor... Show more

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Paycom Software (PAYC) Stock Analysis: Guidance Miss Sparks Volatility

Key Takeaways

  • Paycom Software reported Q4 2025 revenue of $544.3 million, up 10.2% year-over-year, with EPS of $2.45 slightly beating estimates.
  • 2026 revenue guidance of $2.175-$2.195 billion disappointed analysts, projecting 6-7% growth below consensus expectations.
  • Stock gapped down sharply post-earnings, trading near 52-week lows around $116 amid analyst price target cuts.
  • Client retention improved via automation tools like Beti, supporting recurring revenue growth of 7-8% outlook.
  • Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $950-$970 million implies stable ~44% margins for 2026.
  • Consensus analyst target remains ~$169, suggesting potential upside despite near-term caution.

Current Market Snapshot

Paycom Software (PAYC) has faced downward pressure in recent trading sessions, hovering near the lower end of its 52-week range amid broader HCM sector challenges and post-earnings reactions. The stock's beta of 0.80 reflects lower volatility compared to the market, yet it has declined significantly over the past year, down over 40%. Fundamentals remain solid with a PE ratio of 14.43, profit margins above 22%, and strong free cash flow generation. Investor sentiment has cooled on tempered growth prospects, but high client retention and automation efficiencies provide a stable base. Broader macroeconomic factors, including cautious hiring among small and mid-sized businesses, continue to influence price action in recent weeks.

Recent Developments Driving PAYC Price Action

Paycom Software's stock experienced significant volatility following its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release on February 11, 2026. The company posted revenue of $544.3 million for the quarter, surpassing estimates by 0.29% and marking 10.2% year-over-year growth from $493.8 million. Adjusted EPS came in at $2.45, edging past the $2.44 consensus by 0.41%, while recurring revenues grew 11.2%. Full-year 2025 revenue reached $2.05 billion, up 9%, with adjusted EBITDA margins holding steady.

Despite these beats, the market focused on forward guidance. Paycom projected 2026 total revenue at $2.175-$2.195 billion (6-7% growth), with recurring revenue up 7-8%, falling short of analyst expectations for $2.225 billion (8.5% growth). Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted at $950-$970 million (~44% margin), roughly in line, and interest on client funds at $103 million. Management attributed conservatism to stabilizing employment levels and sales ramp investments, highlighting automation tools like the Beti paycheck app for retention gains.

Shares gapped down over 10% in early trading on February 12, opening at $106.79 from a $118.71 close, hitting a 52-week low near $106.76 before partial recovery to around $116. This mirrored prior sessions' weakness, with the stock down ~5% on February 11 amid pre-earnings caution. Analyst reactions amplified the sell-off: KeyCorp cut its target from $250 to $195 (overweight); Mizuho from $180 to $120 (neutral); BTIG from $195 to $140 (buy); Barclays to $140 (equal weight); Cantor Fitzgerald to $115 (neutral). Consensus holds at "Hold" with an average target of $188-$197, though some like Guggenheim remain bullish on long-term execution.

Earlier in the period, a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share was declared, payable March 23 to February 19 record holders, supporting yield appeal. Macro pressures, including SMB hiring slowdowns and HR tech budget scrutiny, weighed on sentiment. A new study on the IWant platform's ROI added positives, but guidance overshadowed operational wins like sales leadership changes and client metrics. Overall, these events linked directly to price declines, shifting focus from beats to forward conservatism in a competitive HCM landscape.

2026 Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor

As Paycom navigates 2026, investors should track execution on 6-7% revenue growth amid stabilizing employment and SMB demand for HCM solutions. Opportunities lie in automation expansions like Beti and IWant, which boosted Q4 retention, and sales productivity gains from recent leadership and training investments. Recurring revenue acceleration to 7-8% could provide visibility, supported by 44% EBITDA margins and $103 million in client fund interest.

Risks include macroeconomic headwinds constraining new client wins, as businesses tighten HR budgets amid potential hiring freezes or cutbacks. Competitive pressures in cloud HCM, incremental revenue moderation (79% of prior year vs. 97% guided last year), and sales ramp delays pose challenges. Analyst EPS estimates of $10.24 (up 10.84%) assume delivery, but revisions could follow if growth disappoints.

Strategic themes include product-led efficiencies, AI integration for ROI, and market share in mid-market payroll. Regulatory shifts in labor laws, interest rate impacts on funds held, and quarterly check-ins on guidance updates will be critical. Balanced positioning in a resilient yet cautious sector underscores monitoring client metrics and macro employment data.

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a Summary for PAYC with price predictions
May 18, 2026

PAYC in upward trend: 10-day moving average broke above 50-day moving average on April 23, 2026

The 10-day moving average for PAYC crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on April 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In of 12 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

Price Prediction Chart

Technical Analysis (Indicators)

Bullish Trend Analysis

The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on May 07, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on PAYC as a result. In of 76 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for PAYC just turned positive on April 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where PAYC's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 51 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

PAYC moved above its 50-day moving average on April 28, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.

Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PAYC advanced for three days, in of 338 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 223 cases where PAYC Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .

Bearish Trend Analysis

The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In of 56 cases where PAYC's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .

Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PAYC declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .

PAYC broke above its upper Bollinger Band on May 07, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.

Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)

The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (7.994) is normal, around the industry mean (22.399). P/E Ratio (16.109) is within average values for comparable stocks, (67.586). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.230) is also within normal values, averaging (1.636). Dividend Yield (0.011) settles around the average of (0.037) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.646) is also within normal values, averaging (57.154).

The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.

The Tickeron Seasonality Score of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.

The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. PAYC’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.

The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.

The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. PAYC’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 96, placing this stock worse than average.

A.I.Advisor
published Dividends

PAYC paid dividends on March 23, 2026

Paycom Software PAYC Stock Dividends
А dividend of $0.38 per share was paid with a record date of March 23, 2026, and an ex-dividend date of March 09, 2026. Read more...
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published Highlights

Notable companies

The most notable companies in this group are Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER), Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), Shopify Inc (NASDAQ:SHOP), Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU), ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW), Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE), Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG), Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK), Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY), Zoom Communications Inc (NASDAQ:ZM).

Industry description

Packaged software comprises multiple software programs bundled together and sold as a group. For example, Microsoft Office includes multiple applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. In some cases, buying a bundled product is cheaper than purchasing each item individually[s20] . Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corp. and Adobe are some major American packaged software makers.

Market Cap

The average market capitalization across the Packaged Software Industry is 6.25B. The market cap for tickers in the group ranges from 291 to 195.82B. SAPGF holds the highest valuation in this group at 195.82B. The lowest valued company is BLGI at 291.

High and low price notable news

The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the Packaged Software Industry was 3%. For the same Industry, the average monthly price growth was 0%, and the average quarterly price growth was 26%. AUUD experienced the highest price growth at 93%, while VIIQ experienced the biggest fall at -87%.

Volume

The average weekly volume growth across all stocks in the Packaged Software Industry was -6%. For the same stocks of the Industry, the average monthly volume growth was -37% and the average quarterly volume growth was 14%

Fundamental Analysis Ratings

The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows

Valuation Rating: 53
P/E Growth Rating: 76
Price Growth Rating: 64
SMR Rating: 78
Profit Risk Rating: 95
Seasonality Score: 12 (-100 ... +100)
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published General Information

General Information

a provider of cloud-based human capital management software solutions

Industry PackagedSoftware

Profile
Details
Industry
Packaged Software
Address
7501 W. Memorial Road
Phone
+1 405 722-6900
Employees
7308
Web
https://www.paycom.com
Paycom Software (PAYC) Stock Analysis: Guidance Miss Sparks Volatility