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Paylocity (PCTY)
NASDAQ:PCTY

Paylocity (PCTY) AI Stock Analysis

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PCTY

Paylocity

(NASDAQ:PCTY)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$154.00
▲(2.08% Upside)
Paylocity's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are significant strengths, indicating robust growth and profitability. However, technical indicators suggest bearish momentum, and the high valuation poses a risk. Macroeconomic uncertainty also tempers the outlook.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term financial stability.
AI-Driven Platform Success
The successful integration of AI enhances product offerings, improving customer engagement and operational efficiency, driving future growth.
Increased Financial Targets
Raising financial targets reflects management's confidence in sustained growth and operational improvements, enhancing investor confidence.
Negative Factors
Macroeconomic Uncertainty
Economic uncertainty may impact client expansion and spending, potentially slowing revenue growth and affecting long-term forecasts.
Negative Free Cash Flow Growth
Challenges in sustaining cash flow growth could limit reinvestment capabilities and affect long-term financial flexibility.
Revenue Growth Slowdown
A slowdown in revenue growth may indicate market saturation or increased competition, impacting future profitability and expansion.

Paylocity (PCTY) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Paylocity Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPaylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) is a leading provider of cloud-based payroll and human capital management software solutions for mid-sized organizations. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, Paylocity offers a comprehensive suite of services that include payroll processing, employee management, time and labor tracking, and benefits administration. The company operates primarily in the technology sector, focusing on delivering innovative HR solutions that enhance the workforce experience and streamline administrative processes for its clients.
How the Company Makes MoneyPaylocity generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its cloud-based software and services. Clients typically pay an annual subscription fee that varies based on the number of employees and the specific services utilized. The company also earns revenue from implementation services, training, and ongoing customer support. Additional revenue streams come from value-added services such as benefits administration, tax filing, and compliance services. Strategic partnerships with various HR and technology companies enhance Paylocity's offerings and market presence, contributing to its overall earnings by expanding its customer base and enhancing service capabilities.

Paylocity Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Chart Insights
Data provided by:The Fly

Paylocity Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 04, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue growth, successful product launches, and increased financial targets, reflecting positive business performance. However, macroeconomic uncertainty and cautious guidance adjustments were noted as challenges.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Total revenue for Q1 was $408.2 million, an increase of 12% over the previous year, with recurring and other revenue up 14%.
AI-Driven Platform Success
The launch of Paylocity for Finance and the next generation AI assistant contributed to strong financial results and positive market reception.
Increased Financial Targets
Long-term financial targets were raised, including a revenue target from $2 billion to $3 billion and adjusted EBITDA margin target from 35%-40% to 40%-45%.
Improved Profitability
Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $146.4 million, exceeding the top end of guidance by $11.4 million, with a margin of 35.9%.
Broker Channel Success
Broker channel delivered more than 25% of new business in Q1, driven by strong partnerships and a modern platform.
Negative Updates
Macroeconomic Uncertainty
The company assumes flat workforce levels over the fiscal year, reflecting cautious guidance amid economic uncertainty.
Limited Guidance Increase Despite Strong Q1
Despite Q1 beating expectations by $13.4 million, the full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance increase was less than the Q1 beat, indicating cautious outlook.
Company Guidance
During the Paylocity Holding Corporation First Quarter 2026 Fiscal Results Conference Call, significant financial metrics were highlighted, demonstrating the company's strong performance and future outlook. Total revenue for Q1 was reported at $408.2 million, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year, with recurring and other revenues up by 14%. The company surpassed the top end of its revenue guidance by $5.7 million, leading to an upward revision of fiscal year guidance. The adjusted gross margin improved by 110 basis points to 75.1%, while adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $146.4 million, representing a 35.9% margin, and exceeded guidance by $11.4 million. The call also revised long-term financial targets, with revenue now expected to reach $3 billion, adjusted gross margin to exceed 80%, and adjusted EBITDA margin to increase to 40-45%. Paylocity attributed some of its success to its AI strategy, which has doubled the usage of AI-powered features over the past year, with over 1.2 million questions answered by their AI assistant. The demand environment was described as stable, with strong client retention and a consistent contribution from the broker channel, which accounted for over 25% of new business in Q1.

Paylocity Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Paylocity exhibits strong financial health with consistent revenue growth, robust profitability, and a solid balance sheet. However, the recent slowdown in revenue growth and negative free cash flow growth rate highlight areas for potential improvement.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Paylocity demonstrates strong revenue growth with a TTM revenue increase of 5.85% and consistent gross profit margins around 68%. The net profit margin is healthy at 13.75%, indicating efficient cost management. EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust, reflecting operational efficiency. However, the slight decline in revenue growth rate compared to previous years suggests a potential slowdown in growth momentum.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company maintains a solid balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, indicating prudent financial leverage. Return on equity is strong at 17.97%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds. The equity ratio is stable, reflecting a healthy capital structure. However, the slight increase in debt levels over the periods warrants monitoring.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Paylocity's cash flow position is stable, with a high free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.92, indicating strong cash generation relative to earnings. However, the negative free cash flow growth rate in the TTM period suggests potential challenges in sustaining cash flow growth. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is moderate, reflecting adequate cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.64B1.60B1.40B1.17B852.65M635.63M
Gross Profit1.13B1.10B960.79M807.56M565.65M416.33M
EBITDA420.33M403.66M336.52M215.89M134.81M101.02M
Net Income225.54M227.13M206.77M140.82M90.78M70.82M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.24B4.39B4.25B3.70B4.81B2.41B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments165.19M398.07M401.81M288.77M139.76M206.74M
Total Debt127.49M217.89M54.45M70.27M77.52M74.75M
Total Liabilities3.13B3.16B3.21B2.85B4.20B1.94B
Stockholders Equity1.10B1.23B1.03B842.86M613.46M476.93M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow381.85M342.75M366.57M215.81M102.47M86.80M
Operating Cash Flow413.23M418.23M384.60M282.72M155.05M124.85M
Investing Cash Flow-459.91M-455.55M-101.89M-220.16M-479.77M48.42M
Financing Cash Flow-237.22M-325.82M141.65M-1.43B2.17B280.54M

Paylocity Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price150.86
Price Trends
50DMA
147.46
Positive
100DMA
159.88
Negative
200DMA
173.70
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.52
Negative
RSI
57.25
Neutral
STOCH
60.83
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PCTY, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 150.86 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 147.23, above the 50-day MA of 147.46, and below the 200-day MA of 173.70, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.52 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.25 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 60.83 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for PCTY.

Paylocity Risk Analysis

Paylocity disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Paylocity reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Paylocity Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$9.16B20.2328.56%0.90%9.72%-2.69%
71
Outperform
$8.14B37.7720.42%13.30%2.80%
69
Neutral
$9.91B39.5651.96%0.16%17.00%120.21%
67
Neutral
$11.07B-5.71%11.73%-376.77%
65
Neutral
$7.90B-72.13-12.84%16.98%-265.85%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
52
Neutral
$9.84B-32.21-36.41%26.49%-44.77%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PCTY
Paylocity
150.86
-45.34
-23.11%
PEGA
Pegasystems
57.45
10.47
22.29%
PAYC
Paycom
166.97
-38.55
-18.76%
DAY
Dayforce Inc
69.22
-4.78
-6.46%
ESTC
Elastic
74.52
-29.19
-28.15%
TTAN
ServiceTitan, Inc. Class A
105.89
-0.26
-0.24%

Paylocity Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Paylocity Shareholders Approve Key Proposals at Annual Meeting
Neutral
Dec 5, 2025

At the Annual Meeting, Paylocity‘s shareholders voted on several key proposals. The election of directors saw all nominees elected, while KPMG LLP was ratified as the independent accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Additionally, shareholders approved the compensation of named executive officers and the Amended and Restated 2023 Equity Incentive Plan.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 06, 2025