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Paycom Software, Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 11 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter revenue rose 10.2%: Total revenues were $544.3 million, against $493.8 million a year earlier. Recurring and other revenues were $517.1 million, up 11.2%, or 95.0% of the total. Source
  • Full-year revenue rose 9.0%: Full-year total revenues were $2,051.7 million, against $1,883.2 million in 2024. Source
  • Annual revenue retention reached 91%: The annual revenue retention rate was 91% in 2025, against 90% in 2024. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA rose to $882.3M: Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $882.3 million, against $775.4 million in 2024; the margin was 43.0%, against 41.2%. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $403.5M: Free cash flow was $403.5 million for 2025, a 19.7% margin, against $336.6 million and 17.9%; operating cash flow was $678.9 million. Source
  • Revenue guided to $2.175 billion to $2.195 billion: Total revenue for the year ending December 31, 2026 is guided to $2.175 billion to $2.195 billion, representing growth of 6% to 7%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA guided at $950 to $970 million: Adjusted EBITDA is guided to $950 million to $970 million, representing a margin of approximately 44% at the midpoint. Source

“We delivered strong results in 2025, exceeding our strategic and financial goals for the year by driving full solution automation and strengthening client retention to 91%,”

Chad Richison, founder and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue Sourceyear ending December 31, 2026$2.175 billion to $2.195 billionNew
Recurring and other revenue growth Sourceyear ending December 31, 2026between 7% and 8% year over yearNew
Interest on funds held for clients Sourceyear ending December 31, 2026approximately $103 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourceyear ending December 31, 2026$950 million to $970 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA margin Sourceyear ending December 31, 2026approximately 44% at the midpointNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Guidance was given for the year ending December 31, 2026; the third-quarter release had covered the year ending December 31, 2025. Source

Fourth quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth-quarter revenue rose 10.2%: Total revenues were $544.3 million, against $493.8 million a year earlier. Recurring and other revenues were $517.1 million, up 11.2%, or 95.0% of the total. Source
  • Full-year revenue rose 9.0%: Full-year total revenues were $2,051.7 million, against $1,883.2 million in 2024. Source
  • Full-year GAAP net income declined: GAAP net income was $453.4 million, or $8.08 per diluted share, against $502.0 million, or $8.92 per diluted share, in 2024. Source
  • Fourth-quarter GAAP net income near prior year: GAAP net income was $113.8 million, or $2.07 per diluted share, against $113.6 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year non-GAAP net income rose: Non-GAAP net income was $518.6 million, or $9.24 per diluted share, against $462.0 million, or $8.21 per diluted share, in the prior year. Source

Revenue mix and interest income

  • Recurring and other revenue rose 10.3%: Full-year recurring and other revenues were $1,938.7 million, up 10.3%, and 94.5% of total revenues. Source
  • Interest income on client funds declined: Interest on funds held for clients was $113.0 million for 2025, against $124.9 million; the fourth quarter was $27.2 million, against $29.0 million. Source

“With less than 5% of our total addressable market, we still have a long runway ahead of us.”

Chad Richison, founder and CEO

Products and client base

  • Annual revenue retention reached 91%: The annual revenue retention rate was 91% in 2025, against 90% in 2024. Source
  • Parent-company client count up 5%: Client count on a parent company grouping basis was approximately 20,300 at December 31, 2025, up 5% year over year. Source
  • Taxpayer-basis client count up 4%: Clients on a taxpayer identification number or client code basis numbered approximately 39,200 at year-end, up 4% from the prior year. Source
  • Employee records reached 7.4 million: Employee records stored in the system were 7.4 million in 2025, up 5% year over year. Source
  • IWant AI solution launched in 2025: The company launched IWant, a command-driven AI solution, in 2025 to make its software easier for all user types. Source

Costs, margins and adjusted EBITDA

  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA rose to $882.3M: Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $882.3 million, against $775.4 million in 2024; the margin was 43.0%, against 41.2%. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 83.2%: Gross margin was 83.2% for 2025, against 82.2%; adjusted gross margin was 83.9%, against 83.0%. Source
  • Stock-based compensation expense rose: Non-cash stock-based compensation was $118.7 million for 2025; the 2024 figure is shown as $(22.9) million, mainly in general and administrative expense. Source
  • Naming rights gain removed from EBITDA: A $35.6 million gain on modification of the naming rights agreement is deducted when reconciling net income to adjusted EBITDA. Source
  • Total R&D cost ratio rose to 21.3%: Total research and development costs were 21.3% of revenues for 2025, against 19.6%; the fourth-quarter ratio was 20.4%, against 19.8%. Source

Cash flow and capital returns

  • Free cash flow rose to $403.5M: Free cash flow was $403.5 million for 2025, a 19.7% margin, against $336.6 million and 17.9%; operating cash flow was $678.9 million. Source
  • Capital expenditure rose to $270.9M: Purchases of property and equipment were $270.9 million for 2025, against $192.9 million in 2024; intangible asset purchases were $4.5 million. Source
  • Full-year share repurchases rose: Repurchases of common stock were $325.5 million for 2025, against $122.8 million; dividends paid were $84.8 million in both years. Source
  • Fourth-quarter dividends and buybacks: In the fourth quarter the company paid $20.6 million in cash dividends and repurchased 554,226 shares for $108.8 million in aggregate. Source
  • Cash balance declined to $370.0M: Cash and cash equivalents were $370.0 million at December 31, 2025, against $402.0 million a year earlier. Total debt was $0 in both years. Source

Client funds and balance sheet

  • Equity rose to $1,731.5 million: Total stockholders’ equity was $1,731.5 million, against $1,575.9 million; total assets were $7,598.7 million, against $5,859.9 million. Source

2026 guidance and prior-year comparison

  • Revenue guided to $2.175 billion to $2.195 billion: Total revenue for the year ending December 31, 2026 is guided to $2.175 billion to $2.195 billion, representing growth of 6% to 7%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA guided at $950 to $970 million: Adjusted EBITDA is guided to $950 million to $970 million, representing a margin of approximately 44% at the midpoint. Source
  • Recurring revenue growth guided 7% to 8%: Recurring and other revenue growth is guided between 7% and 8% year over year for 2026. Source
  • Interest income guided near $103 million: Interest on funds held for clients is expected at approximately $103 million for 2026. Source
  • Prior guidance covered 2025 revenue: The third-quarter release had given 2025 revenue guidance; that earlier range is a different period from the 2026 ranges above.

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Annual revenue retention rate Source91% in 2025; 90% in 2024
Client count, parent company grouping basis Sourceapproximately 20,300
Client count, taxpayer identification number or client code basis Sourceapproximately 39,200
Recurring and other revenues Source$1,938.7 million, 94.5% of total revenues

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said the company exceeded its 2025 strategic and financial goals. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.