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Paylocity Holding Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 8 raised, 3 lowered, 4 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Recurring revenue grew 14%: Total revenue was $408.2 million, up 12%. Recurring and other revenue was $378.9 million, up 14% from the prior-year first quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up from prior year: Adjusted EBITDA was $146.4 million against $129.0 million. Excluding interest income on funds held for clients, it was $117.1 million against $99.2 million. Source
  • EBITDA and cash flow targets raised: Adjusted EBITDA target moved to 40 to 45% of total revenue, from 35 to 40%. Free cash flow target moved to 25 to 30%, from 20 to 25%. Source
  • Full-year total revenue range raised: Full-year total revenue is now $1.715 billion to $1.730 billion, about 8% growth, from $1.707 billion to $1.722 billion in the August release. Source
  • Full-year EBITDA ranges raised: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA is $615.0 million to $625.0 million, from $608.5 million to $618.5 million. Excluding interest income on client funds, the range is $505.0 million to $515.0 million. Source
  • AI strategy extends beyond search: Management described predictive and actionable insights, generative AI functionality and a growing number of autonomous agents across the platform, aimed at task and workflow automation. Source
  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow lower: Net cash provided by operating activities was $86.5 million against $91.5 million. Free cash flow was $67.2 million against $73.9 million. Source
  • Share repurchases in the quarter: The company repurchased $200 million, or 1.2 million shares, in the quarter, bringing repurchases to $500 million or 3.0 million shares since May 2024. Source

“Fiscal 26 is off to a strong start, with recurring & other revenue growth of 14% in the first quarter, combined with a significant increase in profitability”

Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Recurring and other revenue Sourcesecond quarter 2026$378.5 million to $383.5 millionNew
Total revenue Sourcesecond quarter 2026$405.5 million to $410.5 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcesecond quarter 2026$131.5 million to $135.5 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients Sourcesecond quarter 2026$104.5 million to $108.5 millionNew
Recurring and other revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$1.605 billion to $1.620 billionRaised from $1.597 billion to $1.612 billion
Total revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$1.715 billion to $1.730 billionRaised from $1.707 billion to $1.722 billion
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefiscal year 2026$615.0 million to $625.0 millionRaised from $608.5 million to $618.5 million
Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients Sourcefiscal year 2026$505.0 million to $515.0 millionRaised from $498.5 million to $508.5 million
Total revenue target Sourcelong-term$3BnRaised from $2Bn +
Adjusted gross profit target Sourcelong-term80%+ of total revenueRaised from 75 - 80%
Non-GAAP total research and development target Sourcelong-term10 - 15% of total revenueKept
Non-GAAP sales and marketing target Sourcelong-term15 - 20% of total revenueLowered from 20 - 25%
Non-GAAP general and administrative target Sourcelong-term5 - 7% of total revenueLowered from 5 - 10%
Adjusted EBITDA target Sourcelong-term40 - 45% of total revenueRaised from 35 - 40%
Free cash flow target Sourcelong-term25 - 30% of total revenueRaised from 20 - 25%
Stock-based compensation target Sourcelong-term5% of total revenueLowered from <10%

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 guidance issued for the first time, alongside full-year 2026 guidance. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 total revenue range raised from the range given in the August 5, 2025 release. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 recurring and other revenue range raised from the range given in the August 5, 2025 release. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA range raised from the range given in the August 5, 2025 release. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients range raised from the August 5, 2025 release. Source
  • New: Long-term financial targets updated, with the revenue, profitability, cash flow and stock-based compensation targets changed. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Recurring revenue grew 14%: Total revenue was $408.2 million, up 12%. Recurring and other revenue was $378.9 million, up 14% from the prior-year first quarter. Source
  • Operating income up on both bases: GAAP operating income was $74.2 million against $64.1 million. Non-GAAP operating income was $121.2 million against $104.9 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up from prior year: Adjusted EBITDA was $146.4 million against $129.0 million. Excluding interest income on funds held for clients, it was $117.1 million against $99.2 million. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS down: GAAP net income was $48.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, against $49.6 million, or $0.88. Non-GAAP net income per share was $1.75 against $1.66. Source
  • Interest income on client funds lower: Interest income on funds held for clients was $29.3 million against $29.9 million in the prior-year first quarter. Source

Costs, margins and tax

  • Cost of revenues and gross profit rose: Cost of revenues was $128.4 million against $115.0 million. Gross profit was $279.8 million against $248.0 million; adjusted gross profit was $306.7 million against $268.7 million. Source
  • Non-GAAP sales and R&D costs grew: Non-GAAP sales and marketing was $87.1 million against $78.6 million. Non-GAAP research and development was $60.6 million against $52.0 million. Non-GAAP G&A was $36.1 million against $34.6 million. Source
  • Stock-based compensation rose in G&A: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes totaled $39.9 million against $35.7 million. The general and administrative portion rose to $16.3 million from $10.7 million. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization increased: Depreciation and amortization expense was $27.5 million against $21.6 million. Stock-based compensation expense in the cash flow statement was $37.8 million against $33.5 million. Source
  • Income tax expense and deferred tax rose: Income tax expense was $26.9 million against $19.3 million. Deferred income tax expense was $22.1 million, against a benefit of $2.6 million a year earlier. Source

“We are also very pleased with the early positive response to our Paylocity for Finance solution, as the value proposition of managing all spend and key business workflows is resonating with both clients and prospects”

Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Updated long-term financial targets

  • Revenue and gross profit targets raised: Total revenue target moved from $2Bn-plus to $3Bn. Adjusted gross profit target moved from 75 to 80% to 80% or more of total revenue. Source
  • EBITDA and cash flow targets raised: Adjusted EBITDA target moved to 40 to 45% of total revenue, from 35 to 40%. Free cash flow target moved to 25 to 30%, from 20 to 25%. Source
  • Sales, marketing and G&A targets lowered: Sales and marketing target moved to 15 to 20% of revenue, from 20 to 25%. G&A target moved to 5 to 7%, from 5 to 10%. Research and development target kept at 10 to 15%. Source
  • Stock-based compensation target lowered: Stock-based compensation target is 5% of total revenue, from below 10%. Source
  • Targets not reconciled to GAAP: The company says it cannot reconcile forward-looking non-GAAP long-term targets to the directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. Source

Full-year and second-quarter guidance

  • Second-quarter recurring revenue range: Second-quarter recurring and other revenue is expected at $378.5 million to $383.5 million, and total revenue at $405.5 million to $410.5 million. Source
  • Full-year total revenue range raised: Full-year total revenue is now $1.715 billion to $1.730 billion, about 8% growth, from $1.707 billion to $1.722 billion in the August release. Source
  • Full-year recurring revenue range raised: Full-year recurring and other revenue is $1.605 billion to $1.620 billion, about 10% growth, from $1.597 billion to $1.612 billion, about 9% growth. Source
  • Full-year EBITDA ranges raised: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA is $615.0 million to $625.0 million, from $608.5 million to $618.5 million. Excluding interest income on client funds, the range is $505.0 million to $515.0 million. Source
  • Second-quarter EBITDA range issued: Second-quarter Adjusted EBITDA is expected at $131.5 million to $135.5 million; excluding interest income on client funds, $104.5 million to $108.5 million. Source

“Additionally, our AI strategy has continued to progress - delivering predictive and actionable insights, generative AI functionality and a growing number of autonomous agents across the platform to drive productivity through task and workflow automation”

Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products, AI and Paylocity for Finance

  • AI strategy extends beyond search: Management described predictive and actionable insights, generative AI functionality and a growing number of autonomous agents across the platform, aimed at task and workflow automation. Source
  • Early response to Paylocity for Finance: Management said early response to Paylocity for Finance is positive, with managing all spend and key business workflows resonating with clients and prospects. Source
  • Modern software cited as differentiator: Management attributed the quarter to the company's differentiated value proposition of providing the most modern software in the industry. Source
  • Company description now lists Finance and IT: The company now describes itself as a provider of cloud-based HR, Finance, and IT solutions; the prior release described cloud-based HCM, payroll and spend management software solutions. Source

Cash flow and capital returns

  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow lower: Net cash provided by operating activities was $86.5 million against $91.5 million. Free cash flow was $67.2 million against $73.9 million. Source
  • Free cash flow excluding client interest lower: Free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients was $37.9 million against $44.1 million. Source
  • Share repurchases in the quarter: The company repurchased $200 million, or 1.2 million shares, in the quarter, bringing repurchases to $500 million or 3.0 million shares since May 2024. Source
  • Credit facility balance repaid: Long-term debt was $81.3 million at September 30, 2025, from $162.5 million at June 30, 2025, after approximately $81.3 million was repaid in the quarter. Source
  • Cash balance lower: Cash and cash equivalents were $165.2 million at September 30, 2025, against $398.1 million at June 30, 2025. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2025

  • Second-quarter 2026 ranges: Management gave second-quarter 2026 ranges for recurring and other revenue, total revenue and Adjusted EBITDA as the next period guided. Source
  • Full-year 2026 ranges: Full-year 2026 ranges cover the fiscal year; the release gives no date for a later guidance update. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Cloud or subscription revenue SourceRecurring and other revenue $378.9 million, up 14%

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Updated targets replace the previous long-term targets, which the release lists beside the new targets in a previous and updated column. 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.