Tearsheet

Paylocity (PCTY)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $150.82 | Market Cap: $8.4 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Human Resource & Employment Services

Paylocity (PCTY)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $150.82
Market Cap: $8.4 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Human Resource & Employment Services

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 25%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 20%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -50%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -97%
Key risks
PCTY key risks include [1] intense competition from established rivals in the crowded Human Capital Management software market and [2] a significant concentration on an economically sensitive small and medium-sized business client base.
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 29%
  
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Cloud Computing, and Future of Work. Themes include Software as a Service (SaaS), Human Capital Management Software, Show more.
  
0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 25%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 20%
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 29%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Cloud Computing, and Future of Work. Themes include Software as a Service (SaaS), Human Capital Management Software, Show more.
3 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -50%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -97%
4 Key risks
PCTY key risks include [1] intense competition from established rivals in the crowded Human Capital Management software market and [2] a significant concentration on an economically sensitive small and medium-sized business client base.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

PCTY Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

The stock movement of Paylocity (PCTY) between August 31, 2025, and December 18, 2025, showed a decline. Several factors contributed to this performance, including a significant earnings per share (EPS) miss in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, cautious analyst sentiment despite some positive ratings, and broader market concerns affecting growth stocks.

1. Significant Earnings Per Share (EPS) Miss for Q1 Fiscal Year 2026. Paylocity reported its first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on November 4, 2025, with an EPS of $0.86, substantially missing the forecast of $1.57 by over 45%. This marked a significant decline in profitability and prompted a negative reaction from the analyst community, despite revenue surpassing expectations.

2. Varied and Cautious Analyst Price Target Adjustments. Several analysts lowered their price targets for Paylocity during this period. For example, Cantor Fitzgerald reduced its price target to $190 from $215, and Jefferies lowered its target to $180 from $225, citing sector concerns. While some analysts maintained "Buy" ratings, the overall adjustments reflected caution regarding the company's future performance.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
PCTY Return70%15%-18%-15%21%-25%24%
Peers Return29%28%-19%21%22%-6%86%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%14%108%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
PCTY Win Rate75%58%33%42%58%42% 
Peers Win Rate68%57%42%57%65%47% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%73% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
PCTY Max Drawdown-39%-24%-35%-27%-20%-31% 
Peers Max Drawdown-35%-11%-36%-7%-12%-22% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ADP, WDAY, ORCL, PAYX, DAY. See PCTY Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/17/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventPCTYS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-53.6%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven115.5%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-50.6%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven102.3%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven89 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-36.0%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven56.2%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven60 days120 days

Compare to GWRE, MANH, PEGA, LSPD, ELCG


In The Past

Paylocity's stock fell -53.6% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 11/1/2021. A -53.6% loss requires a 115.5% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Paylocity (PCTY)

Better Bets than Paylocity (PCTY)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to PCTY. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
19.8%19.8%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.2%2.2%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
5.9%5.9%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
4.2%4.2%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
1.5%1.5%0.0%
PCTY_8312023_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper08312023PCTYPaylocityMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-15.9%-19.5%-34.2%
PCTY_2282023_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper02282023PCTYPaylocityMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
4.0%-12.3%-26.3%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
19.8%19.8%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.2%2.2%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
5.9%5.9%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
4.2%4.2%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
1.5%1.5%0.0%
PCTY_8312023_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper08312023PCTYPaylocityMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-15.9%-19.5%-34.2%
PCTY_2282023_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper02282023PCTYPaylocityMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
4.0%-12.3%-26.3%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Paylocity

Peers to compare with:

Financials

PCTYADPWDAYORCLPAYXDAYMedian
NamePaylocityAutomati.Workday Oracle Paychex Dayforce  
Mkt Price150.86265.47216.00178.46116.7069.22164.66
Mkt Cap8.4107.564.0805.542.111.153.0
Rev LTM1,64020,9039,23161,0175,5721,8937,401
Op Inc LTM3145,47286819,4902,2081321,538
FCF LTM3364,2102,585-13,1811,7091661,023
FCF 3Y Avg3103,8462,0902,1551,6701331,880
CFO LTM4134,7582,77322,2961,9012742,337
CFO 3Y Avg3854,4102,32219,8741,8352452,078

Growth & Margins

PCTYADPWDAYORCLPAYXDAYMedian
NamePaylocityAutomati.Workday Oracle Paychex Dayforce  
Rev Chg LTM13.3%7.1%13.2%11.1%5.6%11.7%11.4%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg21.4%7.4%15.8%9.8%6.5%16.7%12.8%
Rev Chg Q12.5%7.1%12.6%14.2%10.2%9.5%11.3%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM2.8%1.7%3.0%3.4%2.4%2.2%2.6%
Op Mgn LTM19.1%26.2%9.4%31.9%39.6%7.0%22.7%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg18.0%25.8%5.1%30.8%40.5%6.8%21.9%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.1%-0.1%0.8%0.3%-1.9%0.4%0.2%
CFO/Rev LTM25.2%22.8%30.0%36.5%34.1%14.5%27.6%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg26.8%22.5%28.4%35.5%34.7%14.5%27.6%
FCF/Rev LTM20.5%20.1%28.0%-21.6%30.7%8.8%20.3%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg21.5%19.6%25.5%5.1%31.6%7.7%20.5%

Valuation

PCTYADPWDAYORCLPAYXDAYMedian
NamePaylocityAutomati.Workday Oracle Paychex Dayforce  
Mkt Cap8.4107.564.0805.542.111.153.0
P/S5.45.76.913.28.25.86.4
P/EBIT28.220.4--20.0-168.120.2
P/E39.328.799.752.227.6-73.534.0
P/CFO21.425.023.136.124.040.124.5
Total Yield2.5%5.5%1.0%2.6%6.8%-1.4%2.6%
Dividend Yield0.0%2.1%0.0%0.7%3.2%0.0%0.3%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg3.3%3.5%--3.7%1.3%3.4%
D/E0.00.1--0.10.10.1
Net D/E-0.00.0--0.10.10.0

Returns

PCTYADPWDAYORCLPAYXDAYMedian
NamePaylocityAutomati.Workday Oracle Paychex Dayforce  
1M Rtn3.8%6.5%-4.0%-18.8%5.6%0.6%2.2%
3M Rtn-8.8%-7.5%-8.0%-40.7%-11.0%1.2%-8.4%
6M Rtn-14.5%-12.5%-8.8%-15.0%-21.0%23.1%-13.5%
12M Rtn-25.7%-8.2%-22.3%6.2%-14.2%-10.6%-12.4%
3Y Rtn-24.4%14.8%23.3%132.7%10.2%8.3%12.5%
1M Excs Rtn3.1%5.8%-4.7%-19.6%4.9%-0.2%1.5%
3M Excs Rtn-9.9%-9.5%-8.8%-41.1%-11.5%-1.0%-9.7%
6M Excs Rtn-26.9%-24.8%-21.2%-27.4%-33.4%10.7%-25.9%
12M Excs Rtn-35.7%-19.6%-32.2%-7.1%-25.7%-21.4%-23.5%
3Y Excs Rtn-96.8%-61.2%-43.4%59.4%-64.5%-65.8%-62.8%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20252024202320222021
Single Segment1,4031,175853636561
Total1,4031,175853636561


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11282025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity1,521,044
Short Interest: % Change Since 11152025-7.1%
Average Daily Volume507,146
Days-to-Cover Short Interest3
Basic Shares Quantity55,640,000
Short % of Basic Shares2.7%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More

 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/4/20254.4%6.9%5.2%
8/5/20252.8%-6.1%-3.4%
5/1/2025-3.5%-0.3%-1.9%
2/6/2025-2.9%2.6%-11.0%
10/30/20243.6%20.0%16.5%
8/1/20246.7%5.8%8.9%
5/2/202412.1%9.5%-7.6%
2/8/2024-3.4%1.8%-1.7%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive8119
# Negative161315
Median Positive8.4%6.9%5.2%
Median Negative-3.4%-6.1%-6.5%
Max Positive12.7%20.0%24.1%
Max Negative-15.5%-14.9%-21.6%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251105202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025806202510-K 6/30/2025
3312025502202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024207202510-Q 12/31/2024
93020241031202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024802202410-K 6/30/2024
3312024503202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023209202410-Q 12/31/2023
93020231103202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023804202310-K 6/30/2023
3312023505202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022203202310-Q 12/31/2022
93020221104202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022805202210-K 6/30/2022
3312022506202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021204202210-Q 12/31/2021