PAYCHEX INC (PAYX) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NASDAQ:PAYX • US7043261079
Current stock price
90.61 USD
-2.89 (-3.09%)
At close:
91 USD
+0.39 (+0.43%)
After Hours:
This PAYX fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.
1. PAYX Profitability Analysis
1.1 Basic Checks
- In the past year PAYX was profitable.
- PAYX had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- Each year in the past 5 years PAYX has been profitable.
- In the past 5 years PAYX always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
- PAYX has a Return On Assets of 9.66%. This is amongst the best in the industry. PAYX outperforms 80.46% of its industry peers.
- The Return On Equity of PAYX (41.13%) is better than 91.95% of its industry peers.
- PAYX has a Return On Invested Capital of 19.25%. This is amongst the best in the industry. PAYX outperforms 86.21% of its industry peers.
- PAYX had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 28.05%. This is significantly above the industry average of 12.57%.
- The last Return On Invested Capital (19.25%) for PAYX is well below the 3 year average (28.05%), which needs to be investigated, but indicates that PAYX had better years and this may not be a problem.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 9.66% | ||
| ROE | 41.13% | ||
| ROIC | 19.25% |
ROA(3y)13.68%
ROA(5y)13.48%
ROE(3y)43.07%
ROE(5y)42.31%
ROIC(3y)28.05%
ROIC(5y)28.53%
1.3 Margins
- PAYX's Profit Margin of 26.45% is amongst the best of the industry. PAYX outperforms 94.25% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of PAYX has grown nicely.
- PAYX has a better Operating Margin (39.76%) than 97.70% of its industry peers.
- PAYX's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- Looking at the Gross Margin, with a value of 91.14%, PAYX belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 97.70% of the companies in the same industry.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of PAYX has remained more or less at the same level.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 39.76% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 26.45% | ||
| GM | 91.14% |
OM growth 3Y1.57%
OM growth 5Y2.95%
PM growth 3Y-0.51%
PM growth 5Y1.82%
GM growth 3Y-0.99%
GM growth 5Y-0.7%
2. PAYX Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), PAYX is creating value.
- Compared to 1 year ago, PAYX has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
- The number of shares outstanding for PAYX has been increased compared to 5 years ago.
- The debt/assets ratio for PAYX is higher compared to a year ago.
2.2 Solvency
- PAYX has an Altman-Z score of 2.74. This is not the best score and indicates that PAYX is in the grey zone with still only limited risk for bankruptcy at the moment.
- The Altman-Z score of PAYX (2.74) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
- PAYX has a debt to FCF ratio of 2.53. This is a good value and a sign of high solvency as PAYX would need 2.53 years to pay back of all of its debts.
- Looking at the Debt to FCF ratio, with a value of 2.53, PAYX is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 66.67% of the companies in the same industry.
- PAYX has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.18. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
- Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 1.18, PAYX is doing worse than 74.71% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.18 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 2.53 | ||
| Altman-Z | 2.74 |
ROIC/WACC2.31
WACC8.33%
2.3 Liquidity
- PAYX has a Current Ratio of 1.27. This is a normal value and indicates that PAYX is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
- PAYX has a worse Current ratio (1.27) than 60.92% of its industry peers.
- A Quick Ratio of 1.27 indicates that PAYX should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
- PAYX has a worse Quick ratio (1.27) than 60.92% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 1.27 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.27 |
3. PAYX Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 7.50% over the past year.
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 10.74% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
- Looking at the last year, PAYX shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 12.37% in the last year.
- Measured over the past years, PAYX shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 6.64% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)7.5%
EPS 3Y9.82%
EPS 5Y10.74%
EPS Q2Q%10.53%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)12.37%
Revenue growth 3Y6.51%
Revenue growth 5Y6.64%
Sales Q2Q%18.28%
3.2 Future
- The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 8.20% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
- PAYX is expected to show a small growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 7.57% yearly.
EPS Next Y12.41%
EPS Next 2Y10.01%
EPS Next 3Y8.91%
EPS Next 5Y8.2%
Revenue Next Year16.9%
Revenue Next 2Y11.26%
Revenue Next 3Y9.42%
Revenue Next 5Y7.57%
3.3 Evolution
- The EPS growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
- When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is stable.
4. PAYX Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- PAYX is valuated rather expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 17.56.
- PAYX's Price/Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
- PAYX is valuated rather cheaply when we compare the Price/Earnings ratio to 25.50, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
- A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 15.03 indicates a correct valuation of PAYX.
- PAYX's Price/Forward Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 22.67, PAYX is valued a bit cheaper.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 17.56 | ||
| Fwd PE | 15.03 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- PAYX's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is in line with the industry average.
- Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, PAYX is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 63.22% of the companies are valued more expensively.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 16.58 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 13.46 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- PAYX's PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a correct valuation of the company.
- The excellent profitability rating of PAYX may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)1.41
PEG (5Y)1.63
EPS Next 2Y10.01%
EPS Next 3Y8.91%
5. PAYX Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- PAYX has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 4.71%, which is a nice return.
- In the last 3 months the price of PAYX has falen by -20.65%. A price decline artificially increases the dividend yield. It may be a sign investors do not expect the dividend to last.
- PAYX's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the industry average which is at 1.79. PAYX pays more dividend than 90.80% of the companies in the same industry.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.89, PAYX pays a better dividend.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 4.71% |
5.2 History
- On average, the dividend of PAYX grows each year by 10.17%, which is quite nice.
- PAYX has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
- PAYX has not decreased its dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record of non decreasing dividend.
Dividend Growth(5Y)10.17%
Div Incr Years11
Div Non Decr Years11
5.3 Sustainability
- 95.21% of the earnings are spent on dividend by PAYX. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
- PAYX's earnings are growing slower than its dividend. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP95.21%
EPS Next 2Y10.01%
EPS Next 3Y8.91%
PAYX Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
90.61
-2.89 (-3.09%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCommercial & Professional Services
GICS IndustryProfessional Services
Earnings (Last)12-19 2025-12-19/bmo
Earnings (Next)03-25 2026-03-25/bmo
Inst Owners84.56%
Inst Owner Change4.95%
Ins Owners10.31%
Ins Owner Change-2.84%
Market Cap32.53B
Revenue(TTM)6.03B
Net Income(TTM)1.60B
Analysts53.91
Price Target123.02 (35.77%)
Short Float %6.22%
Short Ratio5.23
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 4.71% |
Yearly Dividend4.02
Dividend Growth(5Y)10.17%
DP95.21%
Div Incr Years11
Div Non Decr Years11
Ex-Date01-28 2026-01-28 (1.08)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)-0.15%
Min EPS beat(2)-0.85%
Max EPS beat(2)0.54%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-0.88%
Min EPS beat(4)-1.94%
Max EPS beat(4)0.54%
EPS beat(8)2
Avg EPS beat(8)-0.69%
EPS beat(12)3
Avg EPS beat(12)-0.63%
EPS beat(16)6
Avg EPS beat(16)0.4%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.25%
Min Revenue beat(2)-2.65%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.85%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-2.37%
Min Revenue beat(4)-2.65%
Max Revenue beat(4)-1.85%
Revenue beat(8)0
Avg Revenue beat(8)-2.26%
Revenue beat(12)0
Avg Revenue beat(12)-2.09%
Revenue beat(16)2
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.47%
PT rev (1m)-0.71%
PT rev (3m)-2.59%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)0.4%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.02%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.37%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.44%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-1.08%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.02%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.44%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 17.56 | ||
| Fwd PE | 15.03 | ||
| P/S | 5.39 | ||
| P/FCF | 16.58 | ||
| P/OCF | 14.63 | ||
| P/B | 8.38 | ||
| P/tB | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 13.46 |
EPS(TTM)5.16
EY5.69%
EPS(NY)6.03
Fwd EY6.65%
FCF(TTM)5.46
FCFY6.03%
OCF(TTM)6.19
OCFY6.83%
SpS16.81
BVpS10.81
TBVpS-6.85
PEG (NY)1.41
PEG (5Y)1.63
Graham Number35.42
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 9.66% | ||
| ROE | 41.13% | ||
| ROCE | 25.31% | ||
| ROIC | 19.25% | ||
| ROICexc | 22.93% | ||
| ROICexgc | 111.92% | ||
| OM | 39.76% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 26.45% | ||
| GM | 91.14% | ||
| FCFM | 32.51% |
ROA(3y)13.68%
ROA(5y)13.48%
ROE(3y)43.07%
ROE(5y)42.31%
ROIC(3y)28.05%
ROIC(5y)28.53%
ROICexc(3y)39.45%
ROICexc(5y)39.54%
ROICexgc(3y)122.07%
ROICexgc(5y)118.33%
ROCE(3y)36.92%
ROCE(5y)37.54%
ROICexgc growth 3Y-2.65%
ROICexgc growth 5Y2.68%
ROICexc growth 3Y-20.58%
ROICexc growth 5Y-8.53%
OM growth 3Y1.57%
OM growth 5Y2.95%
PM growth 3Y-0.51%
PM growth 5Y1.82%
GM growth 3Y-0.99%
GM growth 5Y-0.7%
F-Score5
Asset Turnover0.37
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.18 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 2.53 | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 1.66 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 75.29% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 4.33% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 250 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 80.95% | ||
| Profit Quality | 122.94% | ||
| Current Ratio | 1.27 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.27 | ||
| Altman-Z | 2.74 |
F-Score5
WACC8.33%
ROIC/WACC2.31
Cap/Depr(3y)100.38%
Cap/Depr(5y)88.13%
Cap/Sales(3y)3.56%
Cap/Sales(5y)3.37%
Profit Quality(3y)100.66%
Profit Quality(5y)101.87%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)7.5%
EPS 3Y9.82%
EPS 5Y10.74%
EPS Q2Q%10.53%
EPS Next Y12.41%
EPS Next 2Y10.01%
EPS Next 3Y8.91%
EPS Next 5Y8.2%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)12.37%
Revenue growth 3Y6.51%
Revenue growth 5Y6.64%
Sales Q2Q%18.28%
Revenue Next Year16.9%
Revenue Next 2Y11.26%
Revenue Next 3Y9.42%
Revenue Next 5Y7.57%
EBIT growth 1Y6.35%
EBIT growth 3Y8.18%
EBIT growth 5Y9.79%
EBIT Next Year28.83%
EBIT Next 3Y13.69%
EBIT Next 5Y10.88%
FCF growth 1Y8.26%
FCF growth 3Y5.13%
FCF growth 5Y5.19%
OCF growth 1Y11.67%
OCF growth 3Y6.14%
OCF growth 5Y5.7%
PAYCHEX INC / PAYX Fundamental Analysis FAQ
Can you provide the ChartMill fundamental rating for PAYCHEX INC?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 6 / 10 to PAYX.
What is the valuation status of PAYCHEX INC (PAYX) stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 4 / 10 to PAYCHEX INC (PAYX). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.
What is the profitability of PAYX stock?
PAYCHEX INC (PAYX) has a profitability rating of 9 / 10.
Can you provide the PE and PB ratios for PAYX stock?
The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for PAYCHEX INC (PAYX) is 17.56 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 8.38.
How financially healthy is PAYCHEX INC?
The financial health rating of PAYCHEX INC (PAYX) is 4 / 10.