DailyIQ
Last updatedjust now

PAYC·Paycom Software, Inc.

$222.42
-3.37 (-1.49%)
Overnight$222.44+0.02 (+0.01%)
High
$226.39
Open
$223.63
Market Cap
10.00B
52W High
$244.98
Low
$220.17
P. Close
$222.42
P/E
20.50
52W Low
$102.49
Fwd P/E
15.93
DailyIQ Est.
$222.30
Inst. Ownership
53.1%
Short Interest
5.91%
Days to Cover
3.5
Technical Score (1D)
77
BULLISH
News Sentiment
62
BULLISH
On Oct 6, Paycom reported earnings of $2.78 per share for the most recent quarter, beating estimates by 21.93%. On Oct 6, Paycom also disclosed that in the prior quarter it had earned $3.15 per share, surpassing expectations by 7.51%. On Oct 6, analysts noted that Paycom has historically exceeded earnings forecasts, with the last two quarters averaging a 14.72% beat. On Oct 6, analysts projected that Paycom would continue to deliver positive earnings surprises. On Oct 6, the earnings beat was highlighted by market observers as evidence of the company’s consistent outperformance of estimates. On Oct 6, the report reinforced expectations of continued positive earnings performance.
LOW TARGET
$160 -28.1%
2 analysts
MEAN TARGET
$218 -2.1%
18 analysts
HIGH TARGET
$285 +28.1%
9 analysts
PRICE RANGE
$160.00 - $285.00
SB / B / H / S / SS
5/7/15/1/1
DAILYIQ EST.
$222.30 (-0.1%)
Sector
Technology
Industry
Software - Application
Exchange
NYQ
Country
United States
Website
Symbol
PAYC
Description
Paycom Software, Inc. delivers a comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management (HCM) platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses within the United States. This software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution streamlines the entire employee lifecycle, from initial recruitment to post-employment processes. Paycom's integrated platform offers a suite of applications covering talent acquisition, time and labor management, payroll processing, and talent management, providing businesses with a centralized hub for all HR functions. The platform also provides managers with mobile capabilities, enabling them to handle critical tasks on the go, along with tools for compliance, employee communication, and data analytics. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Paycom focuses on providing businesses with the tools needed to efficiently manage their workforce.
Bought (1Y)
0 shares
$0
Sold (1Y)
5,318 shares
$1.0M
Hadlock Terrell ShanePresident/Chief Client Officer
Sell241 shares2026-08-28
Hadlock Terrell ShanePresident/Chief Client Officer
Sell938 shares2026-08-27
Hadlock Terrell ShanePresident/Chief Client Officer
Sell1,639 shares2026-08-27
Boelte Craig E.-
Gift1,000 shares2026-08-10
Boelte Craig E.-
Award/Grant1,353 shares2026-07-08
70/ 100
Bullish
Overall: Bullish
✓Revenue growing year over year
✓Positive net margin
✓Positive operating cash flow
Gross Margin
83.2%
Net Margin
22.1%
Revenue CAGR
28.7%
Current Ratio
1.09x
Debt / Equity
0.02x
Return on Equity
26.2%
Earnings Summary
Paycom Software, Inc. offers a cloud‑based human capital management platform that serves small to mid‑size U.S. businesses, positioning it within the broader SaaS HCM sector. In the most recent two quarters, Q1 2026 and Q2 2026, revenue grew 5.3% and 1.6% respectively, while EPS rose 5.3% and 12.5%, both beating analyst expectations in each period; Q1 2026 EPS of $3.15 surpassed the $3.05 estimate, and Q2 2026 EPS of $2.78 exceeded the $2.42 forecast. Compared to the prior two quarters (Q3 2025 and Q4 2025), revenue was slightly lower in Q3 2025 but rebounded in Q4 2025, and EPS showed a modest decline from $1.94 to $2.45, indicating a deceleration in earnings momentum. Historically, Paycom has maintained a consistent upward trajectory in revenue growth, with YoY increases ranging from 8% to 12% over the past four years, and has frequently outperformed EPS estimates, achieving beats in 6 of the last 8 quarters. The company’s recent news highlights a sharp share price rebound on September 25, driven by a perceived temporary lift, and a Keybanc upgrade to Overweight with a $280 target following a 10% revenue rise and 48% EPS jump in Q2 2026; however, conflicting reports caution that customer acquisition could slow and billings may weaken.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$1.58$2.02$2.47$2.91$3.36Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26Q3'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'26$2.80 - -
Q2'26$2.42$2.78+14.7%
Q1'26$3.05$3.15+3.3%
Q4'25$2.48$2.45-1.4%
Q3'25$1.97$1.94-1.6%
Q2'25$1.78$2.06+15.6%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$470M$500M$530M$560M$590MQ2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26Q3'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'26$547M - -
Q2'26$523M$531M+1.5%
Q1'26$576M$572M-0.7%
Q4'25$554M$544M-1.7%
Q3'25 - $493M -
Q2'25 - $484M -

Market Data

PAYC Stock Snapshot

BULLISH77/100
$222.44+$0.02 (0.0%)
Market cap
10.00B
P/E ratio
20.5
Day range
$220.17 – $226.39
News sentiment
62/100 · Bullish
Analyst target
$217.76 (-2.1%)
Consensus
Hold · 29 analysts
52-week range+117.0% off low · -9.2% from high
$102.49$244.98
Price $222.44 DailyIQ Est. $222.30

The signal on PAYC is bullish: price action is confirming the underlying trend, not fighting it. Expect wider swings than the Technology average, simply as a function of float and coverage.

Behaviour On Record

What PAYC's own history says about today's numbers

Realized volatility (21d)
32.9% 38th pct
Below its peak
-58.8%
vs 200-day average
+45.8%
Up days (1y)
49%

Paycom Software, Inc. is currently running 32.9% annualised volatility over the last 21 sessions. Measured against PAYC's own 12 years of daily returns rather than a market-wide average, that is the 38th percentile — on the quiet side for this stock, against a typical reading of 36.9%. The distinction matters because a number that looks calm for one stock is turbulent for another, and the absolute figure on its own tells you neither.

PAYC is trading -58.8% below its running peak. Across 11 full years on file, its median worst-drawdown-in-a-year was -32.6%, and the deepest was -59.1% in 2023. The current drawdown is already deeper than this stock's typical annual low point, which puts it in the part of its range where past recoveries began — and where past declines also continued.

Price sits +45.8% from its 200-day moving average. Against every other day in its history, that gap ranks at the 97th percentile — a wider gap than this stock usually carries. Over the past year PAYC closed higher on 49% of sessions, and it is currently 1 session into a rising streak.

On October specifically: over 12 years of records, PAYC finished the month higher 9 of 12 times, with a median return of +3.9% and an average of +1.4%. Its strongest month historically has been August at +12.2% on average, its weakest September at -4.1%. Seasonality is a weak signal on its own — a decade is a small sample and regimes change — but it is a real distribution rather than a rule of thumb.

Overnight risk is measurable too: PAYC has opened more than 2% away from the prior close in 212 of 3,136 sessions (6.8% of the time), with the largest gaps running +12.9% and -15.4%. For anyone holding through an event, that rate is a better guide to overnight exposure than the intraday range.

Across the last 3 dated reports on file, PAYC moved an average of 7.4% in the session after earnings, closing higher 3 of those 3 times, with a median move of +8.0% and a largest of +9.2%.

All figures computed from 3,137 daily closes between 2014-04-15 and 2026-10-05, split-adjusted, recomputed daily. Percentiles are against PAYC's own 13-year history, not a peer group or index.

Sector Rotation

Is money rotating into or out of PAYC's sector?

Paycom Software, Inc. sits in the Software sector, currently ranked 2nd of 12 GICS sectors by relative-strength rotation score (leading). Within its narrower Software industry group, PAYC ranks 2nd of 15 tracked industries, leading.

Sector rank
#2 of 12
Sector state
Leading
Sector rotation score
100
Industry rank
#2 of 15

Options Market

What is the options market pricing for PAYC?

CallsPuts

For Paycom Software, Inc.'s nearest expiry (2026-12-18, 72 days out), open interest is tracked across both sides of the chain, with at-the-money implied volatility around 0.8%. The options market is pricing roughly a ±0.3% move by that expiry — a range of about $217.82–$219.34.

ATM implied volatility
0.8%
Total open interest
8
Expected move by 2026-12-18
±0.3% ($217.82–$219.34)

Analyst Rating Changes

Are analysts turning bullish or bearish on PAYC?

Keybanc most recently reiterated its rating on Paycom Software, Inc. to Overweight on Sep 21, 2026 with a price target of $280 (from $270). Over the last 90 days, coverage has run 0 upgrades against 0 downgrades, a net mixed lean.

Latest action
Keybanc — Overweight
90-day upgrades
0
90-day downgrades
0
Net rating momentum
0
DateFirmActionRatingPrice target
Sep 21, 2026KeybancMaintainedOverweight$270 → $280
Sep 1, 2026UBSMaintainedBuy$205 → $285
Aug 25, 2026JP MorganMaintainedNeutral$140 → $264
Aug 7, 2026CitigroupMaintainedNeutral$136 → $194
Aug 6, 2026TD CowenMaintainedBuy$149 → $244
Aug 6, 2026UBSMaintainedBuy$195 → $205
Aug 6, 2026BarclaysMaintainedEqual-Weight$154 → $210
Aug 6, 2026KeybancMaintainedOverweight$195 → $270
Aug 6, 2026StifelMaintainedHold$120 → $200
Aug 6, 2026GuggenheimMaintainedBuy$180 → $225
Aug 6, 2026Cantor FitzgeraldMaintainedNeutral$135 → $195
Aug 6, 2026BTIGMaintainedBuy$160 → $230

PAYC Competitive Positioning

Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) is tracked alongside these names in Software - Application on DailyIQ — ranked by market cap, with today's move alongside.

News Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment gathered from recent headlines

62/100
Strong NegativeNeutralStrong Positive
MODERATELY BULLISH

Recent News Coverage

Most recent articles, ranked by recency (click to expand).

10+ articles
What did this article say?
Paycom Software (PAYC) has a track record of surpassing earnings estimates, with the last two quarters exceeding forecasts by 14.72% on average. In the most recent quarter, the company reported earnings of $2.78 per share versus an estimate of $2.28, a 21.93% surprise. The prior quarter saw earnings of $3.15 against an expected $2.93, a 7.51% beat. Analysts note a favorable shift in earnings estimates and a positive Expected Surprise Prediction, reinforcing expectations of another earnings beat.
What did this article say?
Paycom (PAYC) announced its sponsorship of the National Duals Invitational, a $1 million collegiate wrestling tournament. The event will feature 27 duals streamed on FloWrestling, with the championship match airing on ESPN on December 13. The partnership aims to elevate college wrestling’s visibility and enhance Paycom’s brand exposure nationwide. The tournament’s $250,000 grand prize and televised final are expected to attract significant viewership. This sponsorship aligns with Paycom’s marketing strategy to reach broader audiences.
What did this article say?
Bank of America analysts cautioned that Paycom’s future growth prospects are limited by its heavy reliance on payroll‑processing revenue, which tends to grow more slowly than other segments. The bank highlighted that this concentration could dampen overall top‑line expansion and potentially impact profitability.
What did this article say?
Keybanc analyst Jason Celino has upgraded Paycom Software to an Overweight rating and lifted its price target from $270 to $280. The move signals confidence in Paycom’s growth prospects and earnings trajectory. The upgrade reflects expectations of continued revenue expansion and margin improvement, reinforcing the company’s competitive position in the HR‑tech space.
What did this article say?
Paycom (PAYC) reported Q2 2026 revenue growth of 10% and EPS growth of 48%, exceeding expectations and prompting the company to lift its revenue and earnings guidance. The firm also announced an aggressive share buyback program to return capital to shareholders. These developments signal a robust recovery and confidence in future cash flows, positioning PAYC favorably for investors seeking upside potential. Market participants should monitor the company’s quarterly updates for further guidance revisions and the pace of buyback execution.
What did this article say?
Paychex (PAYC) is highlighted as a leading staffing services stock, with analysts citing its adoption of artificial intelligence, strong execution track record, and resilient demand as key differentiators. The company’s focus on digital innovation and flexible employment models positions it to capture a growing share of the staffing market amid economic uncertainty. Investors view PAYC’s strategic positioning as a positive tailwind, though the upside is considered incremental rather than transformative.
What did this article say?
Analysts highlight concerns over Paycom’s recent performance, noting that while the stock has surged, underlying billings have lagged behind revenue expectations. The piece argues that weak billings signal softer demand and may limit future growth. It also contrasts Paycom with alternative investment opportunities, suggesting a more cautious stance for investors.
What did this article say?
Paycom reported Q2 revenue that exceeded analyst consensus by 1.7%, underscoring the company’s ability to attract and retain customers in the competitive HR software market. The firm’s guidance for the next quarter remains unchanged, indicating confidence in continued demand for its cloud‑based platform. Paycom’s focus on employee‑self‑service payroll and integrated compliance tools positions it well against rivals, while its strong earnings performance supports a bullish outlook for the stock.
What did this article say?
Wall Street Zen has lowered its recommendation for Paycom Software (PAYC) from a buy to a hold, citing concerns over valuation and competitive pressure. The downgrade comes after a flurry of analyst reports that have largely been bullish, with several firms raising targets to $225–$264. The mixed commentary suggests that while PAYC’s fundamentals remain solid, the market is wary of a potential valuation correction.

Technical Analysis

Real-time indicators across multiple timeframes

77
BULLISH
Technical indicators reflect the latest computed signal mix for this timeframe.
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Institutional & Hedge Fund Ownership
25 tracked managers · $3.13B combined position · 12 adding, 12 trimming, 1 unchanged (latest 13F filings)
ManagerTrendShares Held% of Co.Position ValueFiled
Vanguard Group Inc▼ Sell5,589,38912.43%$890.73M2026-01-29
BlackRock, Inc.▼ Sell5,032,30311.19%$632.46M2026-08-07
Harris Associates L P▲ Buy3,397,4467.56%$426.99M2026-08-14
Two Sigma Investments, LP▼ Sell1,408,1233.13%$176.97M2026-08-14
Geode Capital Management, LLC▼ Sell1,213,1582.70%$152.50M2026-08-12
Baillie Gifford & Co▼ Sell975,3982.17%$122.59M2026-08-06
Goldman Sachs Group Inc▼ Sell784,0701.74%$98.54M2026-08-14
FMR LLC (Fidelity)▼ Sell695,9081.55%$87.46M2026-08-13
Morgan Stanley▼ Sell616,9191.37%$77.53M2026-08-13
Susquehanna International Group, LLP▼ Sell514,1191.14%$64.61M2026-08-14
Marshall Wace, LLP▲ Buy380,0570.85%$47.77M2026-08-13
Gotham Asset Management, LLC▲ Buy364,2300.81%$45.78M2026-08-14
Northern Trust Corp▲ Buy349,5410.78%$43.93M2026-08-13
AQR Capital Management LLC▲ Buy301,3960.67%$37.88M2026-08-14
Bank of America Corp▲ Buy271,6880.60%$34.15M2026-08-14
Citadel Advisors LLC• Hold248,4640.55%$31.23M2026-09-02
Invesco Ltd.▲ Buy194,7690.43%$24.48M2026-08-14
AllianceBernstein L.P.▲ Buy194,4300.43%$23.63M2026-08-14
Millennium Management LLC▼ Sell172,6390.38%$21.70M2026-08-14
Citigroup Inc▲ Buy168,3300.37%$21.16M2026-08-03
JPMorgan Chase & Co▲ Buy157,5270.35%$20.27M2026-08-12
ExodusPoint Capital Management, LP▲ Buy141,3480.31%$17.76M2026-08-14
Wells Fargo & Company▼ Sell103,7350.23%$13.04M2026-08-14
Norges Bank▲ Buy77,4950.17%$9.74M2026-08-12
Man Group plc▼ Sell77,1520.17%$9.70M2026-08-14
Q2 2026 flow:1.12M sh bought ($140.27M)3.32M sh sold ($417.01M)net -2.20M sh (−$276.75M)
Congressional Trading Activity
7 disclosed trades · ~$56.0K est. traded value · 3 buys, 4 sells
MemberChamberStateTypeAmountTradedFiled
Gilbert CisnerosHouseCA31▼ Sell$1K - $15K2026-04-142026-05-08
Gilbert CisnerosHouseCA31▲ Buy$1K - $15K2026-03-132026-04-07
Julie JohnsonHouseTX32▼ Sell$1K - $15K2025-09-252025-10-07
Julie JohnsonHouseTX32▼ Sell$1K - $15K2025-09-232026-08-05
Julie JohnsonHouseTX32▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-09-232026-08-05
Tommy TubervilleSenateAL▼ Sell$1K - $15K2024-04-042024-05-15
Tommy TubervilleSenateAL▲ Buy$1K - $15K2022-10-062022-11-10