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Paychex Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 25 March 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 20% in the quarter: Total revenue was $1.8 billion, up 20% from $1,509.0 million a year earlier. Nine-month revenue rose 18% to $4.9 billion. Source
  • Operating income rose 14%: Operating income was $792.0 million, up 14% from $691.8 million. Adjusted operating income grew 22% to $863.2 million. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS rose 15%: Diluted EPS was $1.56, up 9% from $1.43. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.71, against $1.49 a year earlier. Source
  • Management Solutions revenue rose 23%: Management Solutions revenue was $1,354.6 million, up 23% from $1,100.7 million. It is the largest revenue line in the quarter. Source
  • Operating margin fell, adjusted margin rose: Operating margin was 43.8%, against 45.8% a year earlier. Adjusted operating margin was 47.7%, against 46.9%. Source

“In a dynamic regulatory and macro environment, clients are increasingly relying on our comprehensive advisory and benefits solutions to help navigate complex, compliance-critical HR and workforce challenges”

John Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Interest on funds held for clients Sourcefiscal 2026$200 million to $210 million

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fiscal 2026 interest on funds held for clients was added as a guidance item, at $200 million to $210 million. The prior release contained no figure for this item. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 20% in the quarter: Total revenue was $1.8 billion, up 20% from $1,509.0 million a year earlier. Nine-month revenue rose 18% to $4.9 billion. Source
  • Operating income rose 14%: Operating income was $792.0 million, up 14% from $691.8 million. Adjusted operating income grew 22% to $863.2 million. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS rose 15%: Diluted EPS was $1.56, up 9% from $1.43. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.71, against $1.49 a year earlier. Source
  • Nine-month GAAP EPS fell 1%: Nine-month diluted EPS was $3.71, down 1%. Nine-month adjusted diluted EPS rose 11% to $4.19. Source

Segments and revenue lines

  • Management Solutions revenue rose 23%: Management Solutions revenue was $1,354.6 million, up 23% from $1,100.7 million. It is the largest revenue line in the quarter. Source
  • PEO and Insurance revenue rose 9%: PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue was $397.5 million, up 9%. Management cited growth in average PEO worksite employees and higher PEO insurance revenues. Source
  • Client-fund interest rose 33%: Interest on funds held for clients rose to $56.8 million, up 33%. Management attributed this to higher average investment balances from the Paycor acquisition. Source

“We continue to drive investment and innovation in all areas of our business model to take full advantage of the power of AI”

John Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand, clients and pricing

  • Client count grew with Paycor: Management attributed client growth mainly to the Paycor acquisition and to client worksite employees for HR Solutions. Source
  • Revenue per client rose: Management attributed higher revenue per client to Paycor's upmarket client base, price realization, and product penetration. Source
  • Paycor added about 19 points: Paycor, acquired in April 2025, added approximately 19% to Management Solutions revenue growth year over year. Source

Costs, margins and expenses

  • Total expenses rose 24%: Total expenses were $1.0 billion, up 24%. Management cited compensation-related expenses and intangible amortization, mainly from Paycor. Source
  • Paycor costs excluded from adjusted income: Adjusted operating income excludes $71.0 million of Paycor acquisition-related costs recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. Source
  • Operating margin fell, adjusted margin rose: Operating margin was 43.8%, against 45.8% a year earlier. Adjusted operating margin was 47.7%, against 46.9%. Source
  • Nine-month operating margin fell: Nine-month operating margin was 38.8%, against 42.9% a year earlier. Adjusted margin for the nine months was 43.6%. Source
  • Effective tax rate near 24%: The effective tax rate was 24.2%, against 24.3%. Both periods included discrete tax impacts from employee stock-based compensation payments. Source

“The $1.5 billion returned to shareholders fiscal year to date, alongside our financial strength and durable model, underscores our commitment to long-term shareholder value”

John Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow reached $2.0 billion: Cash flow from operations was $2.0 billion for the nine months, compared with $1.6 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Cash and investments of $1.8 billion: Cash, restricted cash and corporate investments totaled $1.8 billion. Short- and long-term borrowings, net of issuance costs, were $5.0 billion. Source
  • Dividends of $1.2 billion paid: Cumulative dividends paid in the nine months were $3.24 per share, totaling $1.2 billion. Source
  • Buybacks of 2.9 million shares: The company repurchased 2.9 million shares for $361.6 million in the nine months, against $104.5 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and AI investment

  • Technology and selling spend rose: Management cited higher technology, selling and marketing investments from Paycor and continued investment in strategic priorities. Source
  • Company sees position in AI era: Management said it believes Paychex is well positioned to drive sustained growth in the AI era, citing its compliance capabilities and data. Source

Paycor acquisition and integration

  • Paycor intangible amortization disclosed: Amortization of intangibles acquired in the Paycor acquisition was $60.5 million in the quarter and $181.5 million for the nine months. Source
  • Paycor compensation costs disclosed: Compensation costs tied to the Paycor acquisition and integration were $9.8 million in the quarter, including replacement awards, severance and retention bonuses. Source
  • Interest expense rose on Paycor debt: Interest expense rose to $68.1 million, up $45.5 million, mainly from incremental debt issued to finance the Paycor acquisition. Source

Coming up, as management said on 25 March 2026

  • Form 10-Q for the third quarter: The company anticipates filing its Form 10-Q for the third quarter within the next couple of business days. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said changes in the macroeconomic environment could alter its fiscal 2026 guidance. Source
  • Financial: The company said the discrete tax item tied to employee stock-based compensation is volatile and depends on employee decisions and its stock price. 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.