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Paycom Software, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 7.8% to $571.9 million: Total revenues were $571.9 million, up 7.8% from $530.5 million in the same period last year. Source
  • GAAP diluted EPS rose to $3.04: GAAP net income was $155.7 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, against $2.48 a year earlier. Non-GAAP net income was $161.3 million, or $3.15 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $275.4 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $275.4 million against $253.2 million, a margin of 48.2% against 47.7%. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $182.7 million: Free cash flow was $182.7 million, a 31.9% margin, against $144.8 million and 27.3%. Net cash from operating activities was $213.8 million against $182.5 million. Source
  • Borrowed $675 million on credit facility: The company recorded $675.0 million of proceeds from credit facility borrowings, and long-term debt was $675.0 million at March 31, 2026, against none at year-end. Source
  • Repurchased $1.06 billion of stock: The company repurchased 8,375,443 shares for $1.060 billion during the quarter, with cash flow repurchases of $1,054.3 million. Source

“We delivered solid first-quarter results while executing our strategy to provide full-solution automation, stronger client ROI achievement and world-class service to our clients,”

Chad Richison, founder and CEO of Paycom

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$2.175 billion to $2.195 billionKept
Total revenue growth SourceYear ending December 31, 2026between 6% and 7%Kept
Recurring and other revenue growth SourceYear ending December 31, 2026between 7% and 8%Kept
Interest on funds held for clients SourceYear ending December 31, 2026approximately $103 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$950 million to $970 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA margin SourceYear ending December 31, 2026approximately 44% at the midpointKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The 2026 revenue, recurring revenue growth, interest on funds, and adjusted EBITDA guidance match the figures in the February 11, 2026 release. Source
  • New: The company recorded $675.0 million of borrowings under its credit facility in the quarter, against no debt at December 31, 2025. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 7.8% to $571.9 million: Total revenues were $571.9 million, up 7.8% from $530.5 million in the same period last year. Source
  • GAAP diluted EPS rose to $3.04: GAAP net income was $155.7 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, against $2.48 a year earlier. Non-GAAP net income was $161.3 million, or $3.15 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $275.4 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $275.4 million against $253.2 million, a margin of 48.2% against 47.7%. Source

Client funds and interest income

  • Interest on client funds fell: Interest on funds held for clients was $27.8 million, against $30.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Funds held for clients declined: Funds held for clients were $2,624.6 million at March 31, 2026, against $5,137.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Client funds obligation moved with funds: The client funds obligation was $2,624.7 million, against $5,137.0 million, matching the funds held for clients. Source

“Our focus on creating automation and employee-first technology is driving higher engagement and client satisfaction, while reinforcing Paycom’s position as the most automated solution in our industry.”

Chad Richison, founder and CEO of Paycom

Costs and margins

  • Gross margin rose to 84.7%: Gross margin was 84.7% against 84.0%, and adjusted gross margin was 85.1% against 84.6%. Total cost of revenues was $87.3 million against $84.6 million. Source
  • Sales and marketing held near 20%: Sales and marketing expense was $117.6 million, or 20.6% of revenues, against 20.9%. Adjusted sales and marketing was 19.8% of revenues in both periods. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization rose: Depreciation and amortization was $51.1 million against $39.9 million, including $24.4 million in cost of revenues and $26.7 million in administrative expenses. Source
  • R&D spend fell as share of revenue: Total research and development costs were 15.0% of revenues against 18.1%, as capitalized research and development fell to $25.3 million from $33.7 million. Source
  • Stock-based compensation declined: Non-cash stock-based compensation expense was $14.1 million against $22.2 million, with general and administrative at $7.8 million against $6.4 million. Source

Products, market and strategy

  • AI tools cited for client efficiency: The company said it is a trusted leader in AI and automated decisioning, citing Beti, GONE and IWant as helping clients operate more efficiently. Source
  • About 5% of market served: About 5% of the total addressable market is served, and the company said it remains confident in long-term growth. Source
  • Single-database platform described: The company describes its platform as built on a single database, managing the full employment life cycle with streamlined processes. Source

Cash flow and operating cash

  • Free cash flow rose to $182.7 million: Free cash flow was $182.7 million, a 31.9% margin, against $144.8 million and 27.3%. Net cash from operating activities was $213.8 million against $182.5 million. Source
  • Capital expenditure lower year on year: Purchases of property and equipment were $31.2 million, against $37.7 million a year earlier, and net cash used in investing activities was $30.8 million. Source
  • Cash balance fell to $153.9 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $153.9 million at March 31, 2026, against $370.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Debt and balance sheet

  • Borrowed $675 million on credit facility: The company recorded $675.0 million of proceeds from credit facility borrowings, and long-term debt was $675.0 million at March 31, 2026, against none at year-end. Source
  • Treasury stock rose sharply: Treasury stock was $2,469.4 million against $1,403.4 million, and total stockholders’ equity was $811.7 million against $1,731.5 million. Source
  • Income tax receivable fell: Income tax receivable was $20.6 million at March 31, 2026, against $78.2 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Capital returns to shareholders

  • Repurchased $1.06 billion of stock: The company repurchased 8,375,443 shares for $1.060 billion during the quarter, with cash flow repurchases of $1,054.3 million. Source
  • Dividends and withholding taxes paid: Dividends paid were $17.7 million against $21.1 million, and withholding taxes on net share settlements were $6.1 million against $5.2 million. Source
  • Shares outstanding declined: Shares outstanding were 46.6 million at March 31, 2026, against 54.8 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Recurring and other revenue Source$544.0 million, up 8.8%; 95.1% of total revenues

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.