Paylocity (PCTY)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $145.825 | Market Cap: $8.1 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Human Resource & Employment Services
Paylocity (PCTY)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $145.825Market Cap: $8.1 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: 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
| Strong revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -56%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -103% | |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/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% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 29% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Cloud Computing, and Future of Work. Themes include Software as a Service (SaaS), Human Capital Management Software, Show more. |
| Strong revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/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% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 29% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Cloud Computing, and Future of Work. Themes include Software as a Service (SaaS), Human Capital Management Software, Show more. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -56%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -103% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
PCTY Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Information regarding specific stock movements for Paylocity (PCTY) between August 31, 2025, and December 4, 2025, is not yet available as this period lies in the future. Therefore, key points explaining a -18.6% stock movement during this time cannot be provided. However, general factors that can influence stock price movements for a company like Paylocity often include:
1. Company Earnings and Revenue Performance. Unexpectedly strong or weak quarterly earnings reports and revenue figures can significantly impact investor sentiment and stock prices.
2. Analyst Ratings and Price Target Adjustments. Changes in analyst recommendations (e.g., upgrades or downgrades) and revisions to price targets can influence how the market values a stock.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| PCTY Return | 70% | 15% | -18% | -15% | 21% | -27% | 21% |
| Peers Return | 67% | -6% | -50% | 60% | 36% | -3% | 65% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| PCTY Win Rate | 75% | 58% | 33% | 42% | 58% | 30% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 60% | 50% | 23% | 62% | 56% | 55% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| PCTY Max Drawdown | -39% | -24% | -35% | -27% | -20% | -31% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -44% | -25% | -56% | -6% | -16% | -32% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: GWRE, MANH, PEGA, LSPD, ELCG. 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 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | PCTY | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -53.6% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 115.5% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -50.6% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 102.3% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 89 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -36.0% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 56.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 60 days | 120 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.
Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | Topic | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DASHBOARDS | |||
| How Low Can Paylocity Stock Really Go? | Return | ||
| Paylocity vs Microsoft: Which Is A Better Investment? | Counter-Intuitive Comparisons | ||
| Paylocity vs Waste Management: Which Is A Better Investment? | Counter-Intuitive Comparisons | ||
| How Does Paylocity Stock Stack Up Against Its Peers? | Peer Comparison | ||
| Better Bet Than PCTY Stock: Pay Less Than Paylocity To Get More From RCL, CCL | |||
| Better Bet Than PCTY Stock: Pay Less Than Paylocity To Get More From FIX, GTLS | |||
| PCTY Dip Buy Analysis | |||
| Paylocity Total Shareholder Return (TSR): 37.4% in 2025 and 1.3% 3-yr compounded annual returns (above peer average) | |||
| Paylocity (PCTY) Operating Cash Flow Comparison | Financials | ||
| Paylocity (PCTY) Net Income Comparison | Financials | ||
| ARTICLES | |||
| Is ServiceNow A Better Investment Than Paylocity Holding? | July 1st, 2020 | ||
| 5 Mid-Cap SaaS Stocks That Look Attractive | June 19th, 2020 |
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to PCTY. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| 08312023 | PCTY | Paylocity | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -15.9% | -19.5% | -34.2% |
| 02282023 | PCTY | Paylocity | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 4.0% | -12.3% | -26.3% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| 08312023 | PCTY | Paylocity | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -15.9% | -19.5% | -34.2% |
| 02282023 | PCTY | Paylocity | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 4.0% | -12.3% | -26.3% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Paylocity
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 145.81 |
| Mkt Cap | 9.3 |
| Rev LTM | 1,202 |
| Op Inc LTM | 276 |
| FCF LTM | 333 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 271 |
| CFO LTM | 347 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 280 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 14.2% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 14.1% |
| Rev Chg Q | 15.1% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 3.4% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 17.5% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 9.8% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.8% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 25.2% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 20.2% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 23.3% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 19.2% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 9.3 |
| P/S | 5.7 |
| P/EBIT | 29.5 |
| P/E | 39.3 |
| P/CFO | 35.7 |
| Total Yield | 1.7% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 2.0% |
| D/E | 0.0 |
| Net D/E | -0.0 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | -4.5% |
| 3M Rtn | -6.2% |
| 6M Rtn | -6.4% |
| 12M Rtn | -29.8% |
| 3Y Rtn | 41.2% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | -4.5% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -9.7% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -21.1% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -43.3% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -25.5% |
Comparison Analyses
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 11052025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 8062025 | 10-K 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5022025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2072025 | 10-Q 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10312024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8022024 | 10-K 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5032024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2092024 | 10-Q 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11032023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8042023 | 10-K 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5052023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2032023 | 10-Q 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11042022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8052022 | 10-K 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5062022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2042022 | 10-Q 12/31/2021 |
External Quote Links
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| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
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