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Paycom Software, Inc.(PAYC)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
2-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 64 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+58.77% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$232.22
10/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for PAYC

10/09/2026: PAYC (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Paycom Software, Inc. is a cloud-based HCM provider specializing in a unified platform for payroll and HR management. Its core strength lies in its single-database architecture, which helps clients minimize data errors compared to fragmented systems. The company's primary growth story centers on increasing the adoption of its automated Beti payroll technology to drive client retention and efficiency. Investors should monitor competitive pressures from larger HCM incumbents and the company's ability to maintain high margins in a maturing software market. The stock may suit growth-oriented investors, though it carries risks related to high valuation volatility and the potential for slowing software adoption.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitWhile the company has a strong product, its growth rate has moderated, necessitating a reassessment of its high-growth classification.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock has experienced significant volatility and currently lacks the consistent upward trend required for pure momentum strategies.
Value investorMixed fitThe company's valuation has become more reasonable compared to historical peaks, though it remains a premium software play.
Dividend investorWeak fitPaycom does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe high volatility of the stock price and exposure to competitive software risks make it unsuitable for conservative investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock has historically shown significant swings in response to earnings reports and growth guidance revisions.
Valuation riskMedium / highAs a high-multiple software company, any contraction in market sentiment toward SaaS can disproportionately impact the stock price.
Competition risk (HCM software rivalry)HighFighting for market share against massive, well-capitalized incumbents like ADP limits pricing power.
Business qualityStrongThe company's subscription-based revenue model and high retention rates indicate strong fundamental business quality.
Dividend incomeLow / noneInvestors receive no cash distributions and must rely entirely on capital appreciation.
Execution riskMediumThe shift toward newer self-service models like Beti requires successful ongoing adoption by the existing client base.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 42.66%
Avg. Invested days 41
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
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Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
PAYC receives a 4-star rating, supported by strong unit economics, solid company fundamentals, solid quantitative characteristics, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
PAYC has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with solid financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong cash generation (FCF margin 19.9%) and strong profitability (net margin 22.1%) are partially offset by negative earnings growth (-9.7%), moderate revenue growth (+8.9%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
PAYC's financial health is supported by solid profitability, including gross margin of 78.6% and operating margin of 27.6%. Liquidity is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 4-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is PAYC's strongest growth driver at +21.2% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-9.7%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 95.3% and approximately 83.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 14.07% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 11.17%
Harris Associates L.P. 7.54%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 4.59%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.09%
Two Sigma Investments LLC 3.11%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
PAYC generates approximately $786 of gross profit, $276 of operating income, and $199 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Strong margins, cash conversion, and capital efficiency support the rating.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 26.80%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
PAYC has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedQuality TiltLarge / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 10.47B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 24.57
1Y Target Price 220.24
Price to earnings Ratio 24.57
1Y Target Price 220.24
Volume (30-day avg) 698.6K shares
Beta 0.83
52 Weeks Range 104.15 - 244.98
Updated Date 10/10/2026
52 Weeks Range 104.15 - 244.98
Updated Date 10/10/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 0.65%
Basic EPS (TTM) 9.45

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Recurring Subscription RevenuesFees for accessing the Paycom HCM software platform on a per-employee, per-month basis.The vast majority of revenue is recurring, which provides predictable and stable cash flow.
Ancillary ServicesAdditional fees for specific services like background checks, tax credits, or garnishment processing.These services act as cross-selling opportunities to increase revenue per client.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 24.57
Forward PE 16.72
Enterprise Value 10.78B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.89
Enterprise Value 10.78B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.89
Enterprise Value to Revenue 5.03
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.03
Shares Outstanding 45.07M
Shares Floating 37.54M
Shares Outstanding 45.07M
Shares Floating 37.54M
Percent Insiders 14.07
Percent Institutions 95.34

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.