Paychex Reports Second Quarter Results

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--( BUSINESS WIRE)-- Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) (the "Company," "Paychex," "we," "our," or "us"), an industry-leading human capital management ("HCM") company, today reported results for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2025 (the "second quarter") of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2026 ("fiscal 2026"). Results compared with the same period last year were as follows:

For the three months ended

For the six months ended

November 30,

In millions, except per share amounts

2025

2024

Change (2)

2025

2024

Change (2)

Total revenue

1,557.6

1,316.9

3,097.6

2,635.4

Operating income

571.9

538.1

1,113.8

1,084.8

Adjusted operating income (1)

649.0

538.1

1,275.7

1,084.8

Diluted earnings per share

1.10

1.14

)

2.16

2.32

)

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1)

1.26

1.14

2.48

2.30

(1)

(2)

"We delivered solid second quarter results, with revenue increasing 18% and adjusted operating income growing 21% year-over-year," stated John Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud of the significant progress we've made on key strategic priorities, enabling us to deliver the most comprehensive suite of HCM solutions in the industry. Disciplined cost management and productivity improvements, driven in part by our expanding AI capabilities, are enabling us to operate more efficiently while delivering enhanced value to clients."

Gibson added, "Innovation remains central to our strategy as we accelerate the deployment of AI-powered technologies to transform workforce management. Leveraging one of the industry’s largest and richest datasets, we are democratizing enterprise-grade AI for businesses of all sizes. Our recent advancements—from agentic AI payroll automation to GenAI-powered advisory tools—are delivering tangible benefits by automating routine tasks and providing precise, actionable insights. These AI-driven solutions are enhancing client satisfaction, improving operational efficiency, and positioning Paychex for the next era of AI-enabled human capital management."

Second Quarter Business Highlights

Total revenue increased to $1.6 billion for the second quarter, representing growth of 18% over the prior year period. Highlights compared to the prior year period include:

Total expenses increased 27% to $985.7 million for the second quarter, primarily due to the following:

Operating income increased 6% to $571.9 million for the second quarter. Adjusted operating income (1), which excludes $77.0 million of Paycor acquisition-related costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses, grew 21% to $649.0 million for the second quarter. Operating margin (operating income as a percentage of total revenue) was 36.7% for the second quarter compared to 40.9% for the prior year period. Adjusted operating margin (1) (adjusted operating income as a percentage of total revenue) was 41.7% for the second quarter compared to 40.9% for the prior year period.

Interest expense increased $59.0 million to $68.5 million for the second quarter, primarily due to the issuance of incremental debt to finance the acquisition of Paycor.

Our effective income tax rate was 24.0% for the second quarter and the prior year period. Both periods were affected by the recognition of discrete tax impacts related to employee stock-based compensation payments.

Diluted earnings per share decreased 4% to $1.10 per share and adjusted diluted earnings per share (1) increased 11% to $1.26 per share for the second quarter.

(1)

Fiscal Year-To-Date Business Highlights

Highlights for the six months ended November 30, 2025 (the "six months") as compared to the corresponding prior year period are as follows:

(1)

Financial Position and Liquidity

Our financial position and cash flow generation remained strong during the first half of fiscal 2026. As of November 30, 2025, we had:

Return to Stockholders During the Six Months

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

For the three months ended

For the six months ended

November 30,

$ in millions, except per share amounts

2025

2024

Change

2025

2024

Change

Operating income

571.9

538.1

1,113.8

1,084.8

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Acquisition-related costs (1)

77.1

—

161.9

—

Adjusted operating income

649.0

538.1

1,275.7

1,084.8

Adjusted operating margin

41.7

40.9

41.2

Net income

395.4

413.4

)

779.2

840.8

)

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Acquisition-related costs (1)

77.1

—

161.9

—

Income tax benefit for acquisition-related costs

(18.4

)

—

(39.0

)

—

Discrete tax shortfall/(windfall) related to employee stock-based compensation payments (2)

0.5

(2.4

)

(6.7

)

(8.6

)

Adjusted net income

454.6

411.0

895.4

832.2

Diluted earnings per share (3)

1.10

1.14

)

2.16

2.32

)

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Acquisition-related costs (1)

0.21

—

0.45

—

Income tax benefit for acquisition-related costs

(0.05

)

—

(0.11

)

—

Discrete tax shortfall/(windfall) related to employee stock-based compensation payments (2)

0.00

(0.01

)

(0.02

)

(0.02

)

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

1.26

1.14

2.48

2.30

Net income

395.4

413.4

)

779.2

840.8

)

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Interest expense

68.5

9.5

136.7

19.1

Interest income on corporate investments

(16.5

)

(15.8

)

(35.2

)

(35.7

)

Income taxes

124.8

130.3

238.5

260.0

Depreciation and amortization expense

109.1

41.7

218.4

80.7

EBITDA

681.3

579.1

1,337.6

1,164.9

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Acquisition-related costs (1)

17.1

—

40.9

—

Adjusted EBITDA

698.4

579.1

1,378.5

1,164.9

(1)

(2)

(3)

In addition to reporting operating income, operating margin, net income, and diluted earnings per share, which are U.S. GAAP measures, we present adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA"), and adjusted EBITDA which are non-GAAP measures. We believe these additional measures are indicators of the performance of our core business operations period over period. Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA are not calculated through the application of U.S. GAAP and are not required forms of disclosure by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As such, they should not be considered a substitute for the U.S. GAAP measures of operating income, operating margin, net income, and diluted earnings per share, and, therefore, they should not be used in isolation but in conjunction with the U.S. GAAP measures. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the U.S. GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies.

Business Outlook

Our business outlook for fiscal 2026 incorporates current assumptions and market conditions and excludes acquisition-related costs. Changes in the macroeconomic environment could alter our guidance. With consideration of these impacts, we have updated our business outlook as follows:

(1)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q")

We anticipate filing our Form 10-Q for the second quarter within the next couple of business days. Once filed, the report will be accessible via our Investor Relations portal. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-Q and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in that Form 10-Q.

Webcast Details

The Company will host an Earnings Conference Call on December 19, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. The live webcast will be available for replay on our Investor Relations portal, where news releases, current financial information, SEC filings, and investor presentations are also accessible.

About Paychex

Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is the digitally driven HR leader that is reimagining how companies address the needs of today's workforce with the most comprehensive, flexible, and innovative HCM solutions for organizations of all sizes. Offering a full spectrum of HR advisory and employee solutions, Paychex pays one out of every 11 American private sector workers and is raising the bar in HCM for approximately 800,000 customers in the U.S. and Europe. Every member of the Paychex team is committed to fulfilling the Company's purpose of helping businesses succeed. Visit www.paychex.com to learn more.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain written statements in this press release may contain, and members of management may from time to time make or discuss statements which constitute, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words and phrases as "expect," "outlook," "will," "guidance," "projections," "strategy," “mission,” "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," “design,” “look forward,” "may," "possible," "potential," "should," "target," and other similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the integration of Paycor, operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to our outlook, revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, and similar projections.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to known and unknown uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, and other factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside our control. Our actual performance and outcomes, including without limitation, our actual results and financial condition, may differ materially from those indicated in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

Any of these factors, as well as such other factors as discussed in our SEC filings, could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results. The information provided in this document is based upon the facts and circumstances known as of the date of this press release, and any forward-looking statements made by us in this document speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of issuance of this press release to reflect events or circumstances after such date, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

PAYCHEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

For the three months ended

For the six months ended

November 30,

2025

2024

Change (2)

2025

2024

Change (2)

Revenue:

Management Solutions

1,166.4

962.9

2,329.7

1,924.6

PEO and Insurance Solutions

336.9

317.9

666.0

637.2

Total service revenue

1,503.3

1,280.8

2,995.7

2,561.8

Interest on funds held for clients (1)

54.3

36.1

101.9

73.6

Total revenue

1,557.6

1,316.9

3,097.6

2,635.4

Expenses:

Cost of service revenue

412.2

379.1

826.0

759.1

Selling, general and administrative expenses

573.5

399.7

1,157.8

791.5

Total expenses

985.7

778.8

1,983.8

1,550.6

Operating income

571.9

538.1

1,113.8

1,084.8

Interest expense

(68.5

)

(9.5

)

n/m

(136.7

)

(19.1

)

n/m

Other income, net (1)

16.8

15.1

40.6

35.1

Income before income taxes

520.2

543.7

)

1,017.7

1,100.8

)

Income taxes

124.8

130.3

)

238.5

260.0

)

Net income

395.4

413.4

)

779.2

840.8

)

Basic earnings per share

1.10

1.15

)

2.17

2.34

)

Diluted earnings per share

1.10

1.14

)

2.16

2.32

)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

359.4

360.0

359.7

360.1

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution

360.4

361.7

361.1

361.8

(1)

Further information on interest on funds held for clients and other income, net, and the short- and long-term effects of changing interest rates can be found in our filings with the SEC, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, under the caption "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and subheadings "Results of Operations" and "Market Risk Factors." These filings are accessible at https://investor.paychex.com.

(2)

n/m — not meaningful

PAYCHEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

November 30,

May 31,

2025

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

1,485.6

1,628.6

Restricted cash

50.7

47.9

Corporate investments

37.6

34.5

Interest receivable

35.0

27.9

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

1,355.5

1,330.5

PEO unbilled receivables, net of advance collections

640.0

616.6

Prepaid income taxes

56.8

38.9

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

372.5

378.3

Current assets before funds held for clients

4,033.7

4,103.2

Funds held for clients

4,875.7

4,813.3

Total current assets

8,909.4

8,916.5

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

551.2

511.5

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization

80.1

63.8

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

1,812.3

1,947.3

Goodwill

4,527.3

4,514.1

Long-term deferred costs

504.1

482.4

Other long-term assets

134.5

128.5

Total assets

16,518.9

16,564.1

LIABILITIES

Accounts payable

137.6

129.8

Accrued corporate compensation and related items

147.1

183.9

Accrued worksite employee compensation and related items

807.2

735.8

Short-term borrowings

18.2

18.6

Accrued income taxes

44.4

—

Long-term borrowings, net, current portion

399.9

399.8

Deferred revenue

70.5

69.4

Other current liabilities

531.5

552.0

Current liabilities before client fund obligations

2,156.4

2,089.3

Client fund obligations

4,884.7

4,867.0

Total current liabilities

7,041.1

6,956.3

Accrued income taxes

130.5

119.0

Deferred income taxes

531.9

444.7

Long-term borrowings, net of debt issuance costs

4,552.2

4,548.4

Operating lease liabilities

66.6

55.5

Other long-term liabilities

316.5

312.2

Total liabilities

12,638.8

12,436.1

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized: 600.0 shares;

Issued and outstanding: 359.0 shares as of November 30, 2025 and 360.5 shares as of May 31, 2025

3.6

Additional paid-in capital

1,944.1

1,901.1

Retained earnings

1,950.0

2,277.0

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(17.6

)

(53.7

)

Total stockholders’ equity

3,880.1

4,128.0

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

16,518.9

16,564.1

PAYCHEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In millions)

For the six months ended

November 30,

2025

2024

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

779.2

840.8

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

218.4

80.7

Amortization of premiums and discounts on available-for-sale ("AFS") securities and long-term debt, net

(4.1

)

(5.6

)

Amortization of deferred contract costs

121.8

117.3

Stock-based compensation costs

52.3

32.9

Provision on/(benefit from) deferred income taxes

77.2

(9.5

)

Provision for credit losses

12.2

12.4

Net realized gains on sales of AFS securities

(7.1

)

(0.0

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Interest receivable

(7.1

)

(0.4

)

Accounts receivable and PEO unbilled receivables, net

(56.1

)

(68.6

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(7.8

)

(68.9

)

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

122.3

6.7

Deferred costs

(148.6

)

(107.8

)

Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities

11.2

14.0

Net change in operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities

(0.5

)

(2.9

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,163.3

841.1

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of AFS securities

(6,527.9

)

(5,168.5

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of AFS securities

5,804.5

5,163.6

Net purchases of short-term accounts receivable

(65.2

)

(200.1

)

Purchases of property and equipment

(118.0

)

(82.6

)

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

(0.3

)

—

Purchases of other assets, net

(19.5

)

(15.1

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(926.4

)

(302.7

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Net change in client fund obligations

17.7

26.3

Dividends paid

(777.0

)

(706.2

)

Repurchases of common shares

(286.6

)

(104.5

)

Activity related to equity-based plans

(51.9

)

8.0

Net cash used in financing activities

(1,097.8

)

(776.4

)

Net change in cash, restricted cash, and equivalents

(860.9

)

(238.0

)

Cash, restricted cash, and equivalents, beginning of period

2,734.3

1,897.0

Cash, restricted cash, and equivalents, end of period

1,873.4

1,659.0

Reconciliation of cash, restricted cash, and equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

1,485.6

1,202.1

Restricted cash

50.7

63.1

Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for clients

337.1

393.8

Total cash, restricted cash, and equivalents

1,873.4

1,659.0