Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$92.85
Price Target
$112.14
Target Range
$98.00 — $126.00
Analyst Rating
Hold
Forward P/E16.9x
Trailing P/E20.3x
Forward PEG1.98
Implied Growth+24.4%
Median Target$110.00
Analyst Spread25.0%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$98
+5.5%
Consensus
$112
+20.8%
Bull Case
$126
+35.7%
Valuation Model TargetsConfidence: 77/100
Bear$88
Base$112
Bull$136
PAYX Price Target Analysis
Updated May 6, 2026As of May 6, 2026, Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $112.14, based on estimates from 30 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $92.85, this represents a potential upside of +20.8%. The company has a market capitalization of $33.33B.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $98.00 to a high of $126.00, representing a 25% spread in expectations. The median target of $110.00 aligns closely with the consensus average. The tight target dispersion indicates high conviction among analysts.
The current analyst consensus rating is Hold, with 4 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,20 rating it Hold, and 6 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. The bearish sentiment suggests caution about the stock at current levels.
From a valuation perspective, PAYX trades at a trailing P/E of 20.3x and forward P/E of 16.9x. The forward PEG ratio of 1.98 indicates reasonable valuation for growth. Analysts expect EPS to grow +24.4% over the next year.
Our proprietary valuation model, which blends historical multiples with forward estimates, suggests a base-case price target of $112.03, with bear and bull scenarios of $87.94 and $135.96 respectively. Model confidence stands at 77/100, indicating high predictability in the company's fundamentals.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Industrials stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+78.8%
Avg Forward P/E11.0x
Peers with Coverage10 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | $84.8B | $210.60 | $249.00 | +18.2% | Hold | 19.1x | 36 |
 PCTYPaylocity Holding Corporation | $5.8B | $107.68 | $168.08 | +56.1% | Buy | 13.9x | 41 |
 PAYCPaycom Software, Inc. | $7.4B | $131.68 | $149.36 | +13.4% | Hold | 12.5x | 36 |
 TNETTriNet Group, Inc. | $2.0B | $42.40 | $68.50 | +61.6% | Hold | 10.0x | 14 |
 NSPInsperity, Inc. | $1.1B | $28.58 | $48.60 | +70.0% | Hold | 13.3x | 8 |
 HCKTThe Hackett Group, Inc. | $350M | $13.89 | $20.50 | +47.6% | Buy | 8.4x | 5 |
 TASKTaskUs, Inc. | $352M | $6.39 | $13.50 | +111.3% | Buy | 4.6x | 11 |
 ALITAlight, Inc. | $467M | $0.89 | $3.75 | +321.3% | Buy | 3.0x | 10 |
 INTUIntuit Inc. | $111.2B | $398.32 | $666.75 | +67.4% | Buy | 17.2x | 43 |
 WEXWEX Inc. | $5.1B | $147.23 | $177.67 | +20.7% | Hold | 7.6x | 32 |
Upside Potential Comparison
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Start ComparisonPAYX — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying PAYX stock.
What is the PAYX stock price target for 2026?
The consensus Wall Street price target for PAYX is $112.14, representing 20.8% upside from the current price of $92.85. With 30 analysts covering the stock, this strong upside suggests significant value not yet reflected in today's share price.
Is PAYX a buy, sell, or hold?
PAYX has a consensus rating of "Hold" based on 30 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is leaning bearish, with 6 Sell/Strong Sell ratings. The consensus 12-month price target of $112.14 implies 20.8% upside from current levels.
Is PAYX stock overvalued or undervalued?
With a forward P/E of 16.8956x, PAYX trades at a relatively low valuation. The consensus target of $112.14 implies 20.8% appreciation, suggesting meaningful undervaluation.
How high can PAYX stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $126 for PAYX, while the most conservative target is $98. The consensus of $112.14 represents the median expectation. Our quantitative valuation model projects a bull case target of $136 based on optimistic growth and margin assumptions. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover PAYX stock?
PAYX is heavily covered by Wall Street, with 30 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 4 have Buy ratings, 20 recommend Hold, and 6 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the PAYX stock forecast?
The 12-month PAYX stock forecast based on 30 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $112.14, with estimates ranging from $98 (bear case) to $126 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Hold". Our proprietary valuation model produces a base case fair value of $112, with bear/bull scenarios of $88/$136.
What is PAYX's fair value based on fundamentals?
Our quantitative valuation model calculates PAYX's fair value at $112 (base case), with a bear case of $88 and bull case of $136. The model uses discounted cash flow analysis, historical growth rates, and margin mean-reversion to project FY+2 earnings, then applies an appropriate P/E multiple. The model confidence score is 77/100.
What is PAYX's forward P/E ratio?
PAYX trades at a forward P/E ratio of 16.9x based on next-twelve-months earnings estimates compared to a trailing P/E of 20.3x. The lower forward P/E indicates analysts expect earnings growth. A forward P/E is useful for comparing valuations when earnings are expected to change significantly.
Should I buy PAYX stock?
Wall Street analysts are very optimistic on PAYX, with a "Hold" consensus rating and $112.14 price target (20.8% upside). 4 of 30 analysts rate it Buy or Strong Buy. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do PAYX price targets vary so much?
PAYX analyst price targets range from $98 to $126, a 25% tight range reflecting strong analyst consensus. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $112.14 consensus represents the middle ground. Our model's $88-$136 range provides an independent fundamental perspective.