Paylocity Announces Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Paylocity (Nasdaq: PCTY) reported Q2 fiscal 2026 results for quarter ended December 31, 2025: recurring & other revenue $387.0M (+11.3% YoY) and total revenue $416.1M (+10.4% YoY). GAAP net income was $50.2M ($0.92/share); adjusted EBITDA was $142.7M. Trailing twelve months free cash flow margin was 23.6%. The company repurchased $100M (690,000 shares) in Q2 and $600M since May 2024. Cash and equivalents totaled $162.5M and long-term debt was $81.3M. Fiscal 2026 guidance provided for Q3 and full year revenue and adjusted EBITDA ranges.
Positive
- Recurring & other revenue +11.3% YoY to $387.0M
- Total revenue +10.4% YoY to $416.1M
- Adjusted EBITDA increased to $142.7M in Q2
- Trailing twelve months free cash flow margin of 23.6%
- Share repurchases of $100M in Q2; $600M repurchased since May 2024
Negative
- Long-term debt outstanding of $81.3M related to Airbase acquisition
- Significant cash returned to shareholders: $600M repurchases reduce cash flexibility
- Forward-looking non-GAAP measures not reconciled to GAAP due to unavailable information
News Market Reaction – PCTY
On the day this news was published, PCTY declined 7.24%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -14.4% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 34 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $539M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $6.91B at that time. Trading volume was very high at 3.3x the daily average, suggesting heavy selling pressure.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Prepackaged software peers showed mixed action: PEGA (-0.73%), while MNDY (+6.43%), DSGX (+1.58%), ESTC (+2.30%), and NICE (+5.32%) were higher. This mix suggests stock-specific focus for PCTY rather than a uniform sector move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04 | Q1 FY26 earnings | Positive | +4.4% | Double-digit revenue growth, higher adjusted EBITDA, increased long-term targets and buybacks. |
| Aug 05 | Q4 & FY25 earnings | Positive | +2.8% | Strong Q4 and full-year revenue growth, higher net income, buybacks, and FY26 guidance. |
| May 01 | Q3 FY25 earnings | Positive | -3.5% | 13% revenue growth, higher net income, substantial repurchases but negative next-day move. |
| Feb 06 | Q2 FY25 earnings | Positive | -2.9% | Strong revenue growth and raised FY25 guidance followed by a negative price reaction. |
| Oct 30 | Q1 FY25 earnings | Positive | +3.6% | Robust revenue growth and Airbase acquisition alongside FY25 growth outlook. |
Across the last five earnings releases, PCTY saw three positive and two negative next-day moves, showing that earnings have produced mixed but often constructive reactions.
Over the past year, Paylocity’s earnings updates have consistently highlighted double-digit revenue growth, rising GAAP net income, and ongoing share repurchases. Events on Oct 30, 2024, Feb 6, 2025, May 1, 2025, Aug 5, 2025, and Nov 4, 2025 all reported solid top-line expansion and improving profitability metrics. Several of these also included guidance raises and expanded buyback authorizations. Today’s Q2 FY26 release continues that pattern with further revenue growth, margin strength, and updated guidance for FY26.
Historical Comparison
In the last five earnings releases, PCTY’s average next-day move was 0.88%, with a mix of gains and pullbacks, indicating that even strong earnings have produced varied short-term reactions.
Recent earnings have shown steady double-digit revenue growth, increasing GAAP net income, and expanding adjusted EBITDA, alongside ongoing share repurchases and raised guidance, framing today’s Q2 FY26 results as a continuation of this financial trajectory.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -7.2% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite revenue growth and expanding cash flow margins would fit prior instances where strong earnings coincided with short-term pullbacks. Historical earnings moves have been mixed, with some reports followed by declines even when guidance and profitability improved. Valuation concerns, expectations reset, or broader software sentiment could all influence how long such weakness persisted.
Key Terms
adjusted EBITDA financial
free cash flow financial
non-GAAP financial measures financial
forward looking statements regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Q2 2026 Recurring & Other Revenue of
$387.0 million , up11.3% year-over-year - Q2 2026 Total Revenue of
$416.1 million , up10.4% year-over-year - Continued growth in cash flows - trailing twelve months net cash provided by operating activities margin of
28.3% and free cash flow margin of23.6% - Repurchased
$100 million or 690,000 shares in Q2 2026;$600 million or 3.7 million shares repurchased since May 2024
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paylocity Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: PCTY), a leading provider of cloud-based HR, Finance, and IT solutions, today announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, which ended December 31, 2025.
“The momentum seen in Q1 continued into the second quarter and contributed to a strong selling season performance and increased revenue and profitability guidance for fiscal 26. Our results continue to be driven by the combination of strong sales, operational execution, and product differentiation – including the addition of new platform capabilities like Benefits Guided Setup to support our clients and broker partners through open enrollment season. Additionally, as highlighted last quarter, we continue to invest in AI and broader automation efforts internally to drive greater efficiency and productivity across our business, as evidenced by our increasing free cash flow and adjusted EBITDA margins. I would also like to thank all of our Paylocity teams as they support our clients through our busiest time of year,” said Toby Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paylocity.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Highlights
Revenue:
- Recurring & other revenue was
$387.0 million , an increase of11.3% from the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. - Total revenue was
$416.1 million , an increase of10.4% from the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.
Operating Income:
- GAAP operating income was
$70.4 million and non-GAAP operating income was$119.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 compared to GAAP operating income of$46.6 million and non-GAAP operating income of$101.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.
Net Income:
- GAAP net income was
$50.2 million or$0.92 per share in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 based on 54.8 million diluted weighted average common shares outstanding compared to$37.5 million or$0.66 per share in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 based on 56.7 million diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.
Adjusted EBITDA:
- Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was
$142.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 compared to$126.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. - Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients, a non-GAAP measure, was
$113.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 as compared to$96.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow:
- Cash and cash equivalents totaled
$162.5 million as of December 31, 2025. - Long-term debt totaled
$81.3 million as of December 31, 2025, representing borrowings under our credit facility to fund the acquisition of Airbase Inc. on October 1, 2024. This reflects approximately$81.3 million repaid on our outstanding balance during the first six months of fiscal year 2026. - Net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of fiscal year 2026 was
$203.5 million compared to$145.7 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2025. Net cash from operating activities for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2025 was$476.0 million or28.3% of total revenue as compared to$393.1 million or26.2% of total revenue for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2024. - Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, was
$396.9 million or23.6% of total revenue for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2025 compared to$315.1 million or21.0% of total revenue for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2024.
A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in this press release in the accompanying tables. Additional information regarding these measures can be found below under the headings “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Definitions of our Non-GAAP Measures.”
Business Outlook
Based on information available as of February 5, 2026, Paylocity is issuing guidance for the third quarter and full fiscal year 2026 as indicated below.
Third Quarter 2026:
- Recurring and other revenue is expected to be in the range of
$457.5 million to$462.5 million , which represents approximately9% -10% growth over fiscal year 2025 third quarter recurring and other revenue. - Total revenue is expected to be in the range of
$487.0 million to$492.0 million , which represents approximately7% -8% growth over fiscal year 2025 third quarter total revenue. - Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is expected to be in the range of
$200.0 million to$204.0 million . - Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients, a non-GAAP measure, is expected to be in the range of
$170.5 million to$174.5 million .
Fiscal Year 2026:
- Recurring and other revenue is expected to be in the range of
$1.62 0 billion to$1.63 0 billion, which represents approximately10% -11% growth over fiscal year 2025 recurring and other revenue. - Total revenue is expected to be in the range of
$1.73 2 billion to$1.74 2 billion, which represents approximately9% growth over fiscal year 2025 total revenue. - Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is expected to be in the range of
$622.5 million to$630.5 million . - Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients, a non-GAAP measure, is expected to be in the range of
$510.5 million to$518.5 million .
We are unable to reconcile the forward-looking non-GAAP measures set forth above to their directly comparable GAAP financial measures because the information which is needed to complete a reconciliation is unavailable at this time without unreasonable effort.
Conference Call Details
Paylocity will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal year 2026 results at 4:00 p.m. Central Time today (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A live audio webcast of the conference call along with detailed financial information can be accessed through https://investors.paylocity.com/events-and-presentations where dial in details are provided. A replay of the call will be available and archived via webcast at https://investors.paylocity.com/.
About Paylocity
Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, Paylocity is an award-winning provider of HR, finance, and IT software solutions through ONE unified platform. Founded in 1997 and publicly traded since 2014, Paylocity offers an intuitive, easy-to-use product suite that helps businesses automate and streamline HR and payroll processes, attract and retain talent, and build culture and connection with their employees. Known for its unique culture and consistently recognized as one of the best places to work, Paylocity accompanies its clients on the journey to create great workplaces and help all employees achieve their best. For more information, visit www.paylocity.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures when reporting and discussing its financial results, including the financial measures in this release that are designated as being “non-GAAP.” Management presents certain non-GAAP financial measures in this release because it considers them to be important supplemental measures of performance, as they provide investors with the company’s view of its financial performance. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures for planning purposes, including analysis of the company's performance against prior periods, the preparation of operating budgets and to determine appropriate levels of operating and capital investments. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional insight for analysts and investors in evaluating the company's financial and operational performance, including comparisons of current results to prior periods’ results by excluding items the company does not believe reflect fundamental business performance and are not representative or indicative of its results of operations. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool and other companies may define their non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures provided in the accompanying tables to this release, as well as the definitions of those non-GAAP measures following such tables.
Safe Harbor/Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein regarding Paylocity’s future operations, future financial position and performance, anticipated results of operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” “would,” “seek” and similar expressions (or the negative of these terms) are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include statements about management's estimates regarding future revenues and financial performance, and other statements about management’s beliefs, intentions or goals and are expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Paylocity may not actually achieve the expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Paylocity’s control, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from what is presented include, but are not limited to, the general economic conditions in regions in which Paylocity does business, changes in interest rates, business disruptions, reductions in employment and increases in business failures that have occurred or may occur in the future; Paylocity’s ability to leverage AI Assist and other forms of artificial intelligence and machine learning in its technology, which may be constrained by current and future laws, regulations, interpretive positions or standards governing new and evolving technologies and ethical considerations that could restrict or impose burdensome and costly requirements on its ability to continue to leverage data in innovative ways; Paylocity’s ability to retain existing clients and to attract new clients to enter into subscriptions for its services; the challenges associated with a growing company’s ability to effectively service clients in a dynamic and competitive market; challenges associated with expanding and evolving a sales organization to effectively address new geographies and products and services; challenges related to cybersecurity threats and evolving cybersecurity regulations; Paylocity’s reliance on and ability to expand its referral network of third parties; difficulties associated with accurately forecasting revenue and appropriately planning expenses; challenges with managing growth effectively; risks related to acquisitions and investments in other businesses and technologies; risks related to regulatory, legislative and judicial uncertainty in Paylocity’s markets; Paylocity’s ability to protect and defend its intellectual property and its use of open source software in its products; the risk that Paylocity’s security measures are compromised or a threat actor gains unauthorized access to customer data; unexpected events in the market for Paylocity’s solutions; changes in the competitive environment in Paylocity’s industry and the markets in which it operates; adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; changes in the employment rates of Paylocity’s clients and the resultant impact on revenue; the possibility that Paylocity may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and potential factors that could affect Paylocity’s business and financial results that are identified in Paylocity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 6, 2025, as well as any revisions or supplements to the information in subsequent reports filed or furnished to the SEC. These forward-looking statements represent Paylocity’s expectations as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and unless legally required, Paylocity disclaims any obligations to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
| PAYLOCITY HOLDING CORPORATION Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
| June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 398,070 | $ | 162,495 | |||
| Accounts receivable, net | 41,642 | 44,014 | |||||
| Deferred contract costs | 117,177 | 124,651 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 50,943 | 52,541 | |||||
| Total current assets before funds held for clients | 607,832 | 383,701 | |||||
| Funds held for clients | 2,704,137 | 5,510,227 | |||||
| Total current assets | 3,311,969 | 5,893,928 | |||||
| Capitalized internal-use software, net | 132,317 | 134,617 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 54,210 | 54,379 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 35,997 | 33,865 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 92,671 | 82,235 | |||||
| Goodwill | 343,100 | 343,158 | |||||
| Long-term deferred contract costs | 393,671 | 409,005 | |||||
| Long‑term prepaid expenses and other | 7,739 | 7,401 | |||||
| Deferred income tax assets | 17,754 | 14,196 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,389,428 | $ | 6,972,784 | |||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 17,347 | $ | 7,299 | |||
| Accrued expenses | 193,081 | 171,573 | |||||
| Total current liabilities before client fund obligations | 210,428 | 178,872 | |||||
| Client fund obligations | 2,694,842 | 5,499,182 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,905,270 | 5,678,054 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 162,500 | 81,250 | |||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | 46,772 | 44,042 | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 8,580 | 8,713 | |||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | 32,559 | 62,410 | |||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 3,155,681 | $ | 5,874,469 | |||
| Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||
| Preferred stock, | $ | — | $ | — | |||
| Common stock, | 55 | 54 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 327,518 | 93,148 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 900,583 | 998,771 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 5,591 | 6,342 | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity | $ | 1,233,747 | $ | 1,098,315 | |||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 4,389,428 | $ | 6,972,784 | |||
| PAYLOCITY HOLDING CORPORATION Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
| Recurring and other revenue | $ | 347,714 | $ | 386,980 | $ | 680,819 | $ | 765,838 | |||||||
| Interest income on funds held for clients | 29,266 | 29,154 | 59,117 | 58,468 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 376,980 | 416,134 | 739,936 | 824,306 | |||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 124,545 | 133,996 | 239,505 | 262,376 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 252,435 | 282,138 | 500,431 | 561,930 | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 93,133 | 98,078 | 181,564 | 194,446 | |||||||||||
| Research and development | 56,155 | 57,739 | 103,415 | 113,346 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 56,524 | 55,940 | 104,685 | 109,546 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 205,812 | 211,757 | 389,664 | 417,338 | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 46,623 | 70,381 | 110,767 | 144,592 | |||||||||||
| Other income (expense) | 193 | (204 | ) | 4,935 | 498 | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 46,816 | 70,177 | 115,702 | 145,090 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 9,351 | 19,980 | 28,664 | 46,902 | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 37,465 | $ | 50,197 | $ | 87,038 | $ | 98,188 | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (5,658 | ) | 72 | 1,153 | 751 | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 31,807 | $ | 50,269 | $ | 88,191 | $ | 98,939 | |||||||
| Net income per share: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.56 | $ | 1.80 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.92 | $ | 1.54 | $ | 1.77 | |||||||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | 55,826 | 54,086 | 55,733 | 54,550 | |||||||||||
| Diluted | 56,740 | 54,773 | 56,536 | 55,342 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises for each of the three and six months ended December 31 are included in the above line items:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | $ | 6,007 | $ | 5,294 | $ | 10,930 | $ | 9,841 | |||||||
| Sales and marketing | 10,663 | 10,054 | 20,415 | 19,250 | |||||||||||
| Research and development | 11,861 | 10,295 | 22,172 | 20,182 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 16,379 | 17,541 | 27,053 | 33,835 | |||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | $ | 44,910 | $ | 43,184 | $ | 80,570 | $ | 83,108 | |||||||
| PAYLOCITY HOLDING CORPORATION Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) | |||||||
| Six Months Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | ||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 87,038 | $ | 98,188 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 77,206 | 80,090 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 47,212 | 55,256 | |||||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | (126 | ) | 33,056 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 617 | 939 | |||||
| Net accretion of discounts on available-for-sale securities | (1,277 | ) | (818 | ) | |||
| Other | 577 | 550 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts receivable | (4,144 | ) | (3,304 | ) | |||
| Deferred contract costs | (25,861 | ) | (22,445 | ) | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other | (20,266 | ) | (2,558 | ) | |||
| Accounts payable | (4,327 | ) | (10,059 | ) | |||
| Accrued expenses and other | (10,993 | ) | (25,440 | ) | |||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 145,656 | 203,455 | |||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
| Purchases of available-for-sale securities | (66,122 | ) | (115,334 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities | 80,018 | 126,413 | |||||
| Capitalized internal-use software costs | (29,597 | ) | (31,400 | ) | |||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (5,313 | ) | (7,160 | ) | |||
| Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash and funds held for clients acquired | (278,001 | ) | — | ||||
| Other investing activities | (1,951 | ) | (7 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (300,966 | ) | (27,488 | ) | |||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
| Net change in client fund obligations | 545,384 | 2,804,340 | |||||
| Borrowings under credit facility | 325,000 | — | |||||
| Repayment of credit facility | — | (81,250 | ) | ||||
| Repurchases of common shares | (8,395 | ) | (300,000 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan | 10,561 | 9,534 | |||||
| Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards | (37,005 | ) | (28,609 | ) | |||
| Other financing activities | (20 | ) | (339 | ) | |||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 835,525 | 2,403,676 | |||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents and funds held for clients' cash and cash equivalents | 680,215 | 2,579,643 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and funds held for clients' cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period | 2,845,669 | 2,482,526 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and funds held for clients' cash and cash equivalents—end of period | $ | 3,525,884 | $ | 5,062,169 | |||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment and capitalized internal-use software, accrued but not paid | $ | 471 | $ | 2,941 | |||
| Liabilities assumed for acquisitions | $ | 55,730 | $ | — | |||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | |||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | 5,179 | $ | 3,451 | |||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 45,968 | $ | 15,330 | |||
| Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and funds held for clients' cash and cash equivalents to the Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 482,364 | $ | 162,495 | |||
| Funds held for clients' cash and cash equivalents | 3,043,520 | 4,899,674 | |||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and funds held for clients' cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,525,884 | $ | 5,062,169 | |||
| Paylocity Holding Corporation Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures (In thousands except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation from Gross profit to Adjusted gross profit: | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 252,435 | $ | 282,138 | $ | 500,431 | $ | 561,930 | |||||||
| Amortization of capitalized internal-use software costs | 14,833 | 17,718 | 28,610 | 34,968 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of certain acquired intangibles | 4,749 | 4,519 | 6,813 | 9,120 | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 6,007 | 5,294 | 10,930 | 9,841 | |||||||||||
| Other items (1) | 218 | (133 | ) | 140 | 342 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted gross profit | $ | 278,242 | $ | 309,536 | $ | 546,924 | $ | 616,201 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation from Operating income to Non-GAAP Operating income: | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 46,623 | $ | 70,381 | $ | 110,767 | $ | 144,592 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 44,910 | 43,184 | 80,570 | 83,108 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangibles | 5,678 | 5,175 | 8,225 | 10,436 | |||||||||||
| Other items (2) | 3,934 | 352 | 6,462 | 2,116 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Operating income | $ | 101,145 | $ | 119,092 | $ | 206,024 | $ | 240,252 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation from Net income to Non-GAAP Net income: | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 37,465 | $ | 50,197 | $ | 87,038 | $ | 98,188 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 44,910 | 43,184 | 80,570 | 83,108 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangibles | 5,678 | 5,175 | 8,225 | 10,436 | |||||||||||
| Other items (2) | 3,934 | 352 | 6,462 | 2,116 | |||||||||||
| Income tax effect on adjustments (3) | (5,976 | ) | 2,164 | (2,668 | ) | 4,884 | |||||||||
| Non-GAAP Net income | $ | 86,011 | $ | 101,072 | $ | 179,627 | $ | 198,732 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Calculation of Non-GAAP Net income per share: | |||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Net income | $ | 86,011 | $ | 101,072 | $ | 179,627 | $ | 198,732 | |||||||
| Diluted weighted-average number of common shares | 56,740 | 54,773 | 56,536 | 55,342 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Net income per share | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.85 | $ | 3.18 | $ | 3.59 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation from Net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 37,465 | $ | 50,197 | $ | 87,038 | $ | 98,188 | |||||||
| Interest expense | 4,846 | 1,215 | 5,246 | 3,570 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 9,351 | 19,980 | 28,664 | 46,902 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 25,660 | 27,803 | 47,212 | 55,256 | |||||||||||
| EBITDA | 77,322 | 99,195 | 168,160 | 203,916 | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 44,910 | 43,184 | 80,570 | 83,108 | |||||||||||
| Other items (2) | 3,934 | 352 | 6,462 | 2,116 | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 126,166 | $ | 142,731 | $ | 255,192 | $ | 289,140 | |||||||
| Interest income on funds held for clients | (29,266 | ) | (29,154 | ) | (59,117 | ) | (58,468 | ) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients | $ | 96,900 | $ | 113,577 | $ | 196,075 | $ | 230,672 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Non-GAAP sales and marketing: | |||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | $ | 93,133 | $ | 98,078 | $ | 181,564 | $ | 194,446 | |||||||
| Less: Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 10,663 | 10,054 | 20,415 | 19,250 | |||||||||||
| Less: Other items (2) | 520 | 246 | 629 | 362 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP sales and marketing | $ | 81,950 | $ | 87,778 | $ | 160,520 | $ | 174,834 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Non-GAAP total research and development: | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 56,155 | $ | 57,739 | $ | 103,415 | $ | 113,346 | |||||||
| Add: Capitalized internal-use software costs | 14,387 | 15,940 | 29,597 | 31,400 | |||||||||||
| Less: Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 11,861 | 10,295 | 22,172 | 20,182 | |||||||||||
| Less: Other items (2) | 890 | 52 | 1,011 | 638 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP total research and development | $ | 57,791 | $ | 63,332 | $ | 109,829 | $ | 123,926 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Non-GAAP general and administrative: | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 56,524 | $ | 55,940 | $ | 104,685 | $ | 109,546 | |||||||
| Less: Stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises | 16,379 | 17,541 | 27,053 | 33,835 | |||||||||||
| Less: Amortization of certain acquired intangibles | 929 | 656 | 1,412 | 1,316 | |||||||||||
| Less: Other items (2) | 2,306 | 187 | 4,682 | 774 | |||||||||||
| Non-GAAP general and administrative | $ | 36,910 | $ | 37,556 | $ | 71,538 | $ | 73,621 | |||||||
| Six Months Ended December 31, | Trailing Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Free cash flow, Free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients and Adjusted free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients: | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 145,656 | $ | 203,455 | $ | 393,114 | $ | 476,025 | |||||||
| Capitalized internal-use software costs | (29,597 | ) | (31,400 | ) | (60,840 | ) | (64,205 | ) | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (5,313 | ) | (7,160 | ) | (17,199 | ) | (14,920 | ) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 110,746 | $ | 164,895 | $ | 315,075 | $ | 396,900 | |||||||
| Less: Interest income on funds held for clients | (59,117 | ) | (58,468 | ) | (126,106 | ) | (122,771 | ) | |||||||
| Free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients | $ | 51,629 | $ | 106,427 | $ | 188,969 | $ | 274,129 | |||||||
| Cash paid for other items (4) | 5,073 | 5,215 | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients | $ | 56,702 | $ | 111,642 | |||||||||||
(1) Represents acquisition-related costs and severance cost adjustments related to certain roles that have been eliminated. We exclude one-off severance costs that we incur as part of the normal course of our business operations.
(2) Represents acquisition and transaction-related costs and severance costs related to certain roles that have been eliminated. We exclude one-off severance costs that we incur as part of the normal course of our business operations.
(3) Includes the income tax effect on non-GAAP net income adjustments related to stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises, amortization of acquired intangibles and other items, which include acquisition and transaction-related costs and severance costs related to certain roles that have been eliminated. We exclude one-off severance costs that we incur as part of the normal course of our business operations.
(4) Represents cash paid for acquisition and transaction-related costs and severance costs related to certain roles that have been eliminated.
Definitions of our Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Excluding Interest Income on Funds Held for Clients, and Adjusted EBITDA Excluding Interest Income on Funds Held for Clients Margin
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income before interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization expense, adjusted to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises and other items as described above in this release. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients is calculated in the same manner as Adjusted EBITDA and is further adjusted to eliminate interest income on funds held for clients. Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients margin is Adjusted EBITDA excluding interest income on funds held for clients divided by recurring and other revenue.
Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin
Adjusted gross profit is adjusted to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises, the amortization of capitalized internal-use software costs and certain acquired intangibles and other items as described above in this release.
Adjusted gross profit margin is calculated as adjusted gross profit as described in the preceding sentence divided by total revenues.
Non-GAAP Operating Income, Non-GAAP Net Income, and Non-GAAP Income Per Share
Non-GAAP operating income is adjusted to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises, the amortization of acquired intangibles and other items as described above in this release.
Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share are adjusted to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises, the amortization of acquired intangibles and other items as described above in this release, including the income tax effect on these items.
Non-GAAP Sales and Marketing Expense, Non-GAAP Sales and Marketing Expense Margin, Non-GAAP Total Research and Development, Non-GAAP Total Research and Development Margin, Non-GAAP General and Administrative Expense, and Non-GAAP General and Administrative Expense Margin
Non-GAAP sales and marketing expense is adjusted to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises and other items as described above in this release. Non-GAAP sales and marketing margin is calculated by dividing non-GAAP sales and marketing by total revenues.
Non-GAAP total research and development is adjusted for capitalized internal-use software costs paid and to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises and other items as described above in this release. Non-GAAP total research and development margin is calculated by dividing non-GAAP total research and development by total revenues.
Non-GAAP general and administrative expense is adjusted to eliminate stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes related to stock releases and option exercises, the amortization of certain acquired intangibles and other items as described above in this release. Non-GAAP general and administrative margin is calculated by dividing non-GAAP general and administrative expense by total revenues.
Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Margin, Free Cash Flow Excluding Interest on Funds Held for Clients, Free Cash Flow Excluding Interest on Funds Held for Clients Margin, Adjusted Free Cash Flow Excluding Interest Income on Funds Held for Clients and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Excluding Interest Income on Funds Held for Clients Margin
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capitalized internal-use software costs and purchases of property and equipment. Free cash flow margin is calculated by dividing free cash flow by total revenues.
Free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients is defined in the same manner as free cash flow but also excludes interest income on funds held for clients. Free cash flow margin excluding interest income on funds held for clients is calculated by dividing free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients by recurring and other revenue.
Adjusted free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients is defined in the same manner as free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients plus cash paid for other items as described above in this release. Adjusted free cash flow margin excluding interest income on funds held for clients is calculated by dividing adjusted free cash flow excluding interest income on funds held for clients by recurring and other revenue.
FAQ
What were Paylocity (PCTY) Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue and growth figures?
How did Paylocity (PCTY) perform on profitability and cash flow in Q2 2026?
What did Paylocity (PCTY) say about share repurchases and capital return?
What guidance did Paylocity (PCTY) provide for Q3 and full fiscal 2026?
Are there any reconciliation limitations for Paylocity's forward-looking non-GAAP metrics?
