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Paylocity Holding Corp.: Q1 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Recurring revenue grew 12.0%: Recurring and other revenue was $424.5 million, up from $378.9 million, and total revenue was $451.7 million, up 10.7% from $408.2 million. Source
  • Net income and EPS rose: GAAP operating income was $82.2 million against $74.2 million. GAAP net income was $57.6 million, or $1.07 diluted EPS, against $48.0 million, or $0.86. Non-GAAP net income per share was $2.09. Source
  • Ignite AI leads growth: Management said growth continues to be led by Ignite AI, with innovation aimed at the most modern AI-driven platform, including the recently announced Recruiting Optimizer. Source
  • Trailing free cash flow higher: Trailing twelve-month free cash flow was $416.7 million, or 23.0% of total revenue, against $336.0 million, or 20.5%. Trailing operating cash flow was $526.5 million, or 29.0% of revenue. Source
  • Quarter buybacks of $152.5 million: The company repurchased $152.5 million, or 1.1 million shares, in the quarter. Since May 2024 it has repurchased $850.2 million, or 5.7 million shares. Source
  • Aidora acquisition completed in July: The company completed the acquisition of Aidora Inc. in July 2026 to expand AI-powered leave management. Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was $10.6 million in the quarter. Source
  • Full-year total revenue range raised: The full-year total revenue range moved up to $1.910 billion to $1.925 billion from $1.880 billion to $1.895 billion, about 8% growth over fiscal 2026. Source
  • Full-year Adjusted EBITDA range raised: The full-year Adjusted EBITDA range moved up to $711.5 million to $721.5 million from $690.0 million to $700.0 million. Source

“Fiscal 27 is off to a strong start, with first quarter recurring & other revenue growth of 12.0% as we continue to see strong execution by our go-to-market teams”

Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Recurring and other revenue Sourcesecond quarter of fiscal 2027$423.0 million to $428.0 millionNew
Total revenue Sourcesecond quarter of fiscal 2027$452.5 million to $457.5 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcesecond quarter of fiscal 2027$152.5 million to $156.5 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients Sourcesecond quarter of fiscal 2027$123.0 million to $127.0 millionNew
Recurring and other revenue Sourcefull fiscal 2027$1.792 billion to $1.807 billionRaised from $1.777 billion to $1.792 billion
Total revenue Sourcefull fiscal 2027$1.910 billion to $1.925 billionRaised from $1.880 billion to $1.895 billion
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull fiscal 2027$711.5 million to $721.5 millionRaised from $690.0 million to $700.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients Sourcefull fiscal 2027$593.5 million to $603.5 millionRaised from $587.0 million to $597.0 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year fiscal 2027 total revenue range raised to $1.910 billion to $1.925 billion from $1.880 billion to $1.895 billion. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year fiscal 2027 recurring and other revenue range raised to $1.792 billion to $1.807 billion from $1.777 billion to $1.792 billion. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year fiscal 2027 Adjusted EBITDA range raised to $711.5 million to $721.5 million from $690.0 million to $700.0 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year fiscal 2027 Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients range raised to $593.5 million to $603.5 million from $587.0 million to $597.0 million. Source
  • New guidance: Second-quarter fiscal 2027 guidance given for recurring and other revenue, total revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding client-fund interest; the prior release gave first-quarter ranges only. Source
  • New: Acquisition of Aidora Inc. completed in July 2026 to expand AI-powered leave management capabilities. Source
  • New: Recruiting Optimizer described as a recently announced product within the Ignite AI platform. Source

Results and revenue growth

  • Recurring revenue grew 12.0%: Recurring and other revenue was $424.5 million, up from $378.9 million, and total revenue was $451.7 million, up 10.7% from $408.2 million. Source
  • Quarter compared with prior range: The prior release gave a first-quarter recurring and other revenue range of $414.0 million to $419.0 million; reported recurring and other revenue was $424.5 million.
  • Net income and EPS rose: GAAP operating income was $82.2 million against $74.2 million. GAAP net income was $57.6 million, or $1.07 diluted EPS, against $48.0 million, or $0.86. Non-GAAP net income per share was $2.09. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose with revenue: Adjusted EBITDA was $159.5 million against $146.4 million. Excluding interest income on funds held for clients, it was $132.3 million against $117.1 million. Source

Products and client growth

  • Ignite AI leads growth: Management said growth continues to be led by Ignite AI, with innovation aimed at the most modern AI-driven platform, including the recently announced Recruiting Optimizer. Source
  • Elevate and retirement offerings early response: Management said it is very pleased with early positive response to Elevate Solutions and Paylocity for Retirement, and cited momentum across both offerings. Source
  • Product innovation aimed at ARPU: Management said AI-driven experiences and solutions create differentiation and drive average revenue per user (ARPU). Source

“Our strong first quarter results and the momentum we are seeing as we head into the heart of selling season are helping to drive a strong increase to our fiscal 27 guidance across both revenue and profitability.”

Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and sales momentum

  • Momentum into selling season: Management cited the momentum it sees heading into the heart of the selling season as part of the reason for the increased fiscal 2027 guidance. Source
  • Revenue retention called industry leading: Management credited go-to-market execution and revenue retention for the quarter; no retention percentage is given in the release. Source

Costs and margins

  • Cost of revenues and gross profit rose: Cost of revenues rose to $147.6 million from $128.4 million, and gross profit rose to $304.1 million from $279.8 million. Source
  • Operating expenses rose across lines: Total operating expenses were $221.9 million against $205.6 million. Sales and marketing was $101.1 million, research and development $59.0 million, and general and administrative $61.7 million, up from $53.6 million. Source
  • Capitalized software costs increased: Capitalized internal-use software costs were $20.5 million against $15.5 million, and non-GAAP total research and development was $69.4 million against $60.6 million. Source
  • Stock compensation expense rose: Stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes were $44.7 million against $39.9 million, with $20.3 million in general and administrative expense. Source
  • Deferred contract cost life lengthened: From fiscal 2027, deferred contract costs amortize over 8 years instead of 7. The prior release said this adds about 120 to 140 basis points to fiscal 2027 Adjusted EBITDA margin, reflected in guidance.

“Our growth continues to be led by Ignite AI, as we focus on driving innovation and providing the most modern AI-driven platform, including our recently announced Recruiting Optimizer.”

Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Trailing free cash flow higher: Trailing twelve-month free cash flow was $416.7 million, or 23.0% of total revenue, against $336.0 million, or 20.5%. Trailing operating cash flow was $526.5 million, or 29.0% of revenue. Source
  • Quarterly operating cash flow lower: Operating cash flow was $79.7 million against $86.5 million a year earlier. Deferred contract cost outlays were $19.2 million against $10.4 million. Source
  • Credit facility borrowing raised debt: Long-term debt rose to $131.3 million from $81.3 million at June 30, after $50.0 million was borrowed under the credit facility in the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents were $194.5 million. Source

Capital returns and buybacks

  • Quarter buybacks of $152.5 million: The company repurchased $152.5 million, or 1.1 million shares, in the quarter. Since May 2024 it has repurchased $850.2 million, or 5.7 million shares. Source
  • Repurchases below prior-year quarter: Repurchases of common shares were $152.5 million against $200.0 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Taxes paid on net share settlement were $13.6 million against $18.7 million. Source
  • Share count lower: Diluted weighted-average shares were 53.7 million against 55.9 million a year earlier. Shares outstanding fell to 52.3 million from 53.3 million at June 30. Source

Acquisitions and investment

  • Aidora acquisition completed in July: The company completed the acquisition of Aidora Inc. in July 2026 to expand AI-powered leave management. Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was $10.6 million in the quarter. Source
  • Software and equipment spending rose: Capitalized internal-use software costs were $20.5 million against $15.5 million. Purchases of property and equipment were $3.1 million against $3.8 million. Source

Client funds and interest income

  • Interest income on client funds fell: Interest income on funds held for clients was $27.2 million, down from $29.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA excluding that interest income was $132.3 million. Source
  • Client fund balances declined: Funds held for clients were $2,888.6 million at September 30, against $3,210.5 million at June 30. Client fund obligations were $2,899.3 million, against $3,209.0 million. Source

Guidance for second quarter and year

  • Second-quarter ranges given: Second-quarter recurring and other revenue is $423.0 million to $428.0 million, and total revenue is $452.5 million to $457.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA is $152.5 million to $156.5 million. Source
  • Full-year total revenue range raised: The full-year total revenue range moved up to $1.910 billion to $1.925 billion from $1.880 billion to $1.895 billion, about 8% growth over fiscal 2026. Source
  • Full-year Adjusted EBITDA range raised: The full-year Adjusted EBITDA range moved up to $711.5 million to $721.5 million from $690.0 million to $700.0 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Second-quarter fiscal 2027 reporting: Second-quarter fiscal 2027 is the next reported period, for which the ranges above were given. The documents give no date for that release. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Cloud or subscription revenue (recurring and other revenue) Source$424.5 million, up 12.0% year over year
Net revenue retention SourceDescribed as industry leading; no percentage given

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.