Revenue growth decelerated to 11.0% in 2026Q4, while operating margin compressed to 19.0% from 31.3% in 2026Q3, reflecting rising SG&A and R&D costs.
Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) annual income statement — 16-year revenue, gross profit & net income history
| Metric | Jun'26 | Jun'25 | Jun'24 | Jun'23 | Jun'22 | Jun'21 | Jun'20 | Jun'19 | Jun'18 | Jun'17 | Jun'16 | Jun'15 | Jun'14 | Jun'13 | Jun'12 | Jun'11 |
|---|
| Sales/Revenue | 1.77B | 1.6B | 1.4B | 1.17B | 852.65M | 635.63M | 561.33M | 467.63M | 377.53M | 300.01M | 230.7M | 152.7M | 108.69M | 77.29M | 55.1M | 39.48M |
| Revenue Growth % | 11.04% | 13.74% | 19.4% | 37.76% | 34.14% | 13.24% | 20.04% | 23.87% | 25.84% | 30.04% | 51.08% | 40.49% | 40.62% | 40.29% | 39.54% | - |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 545.82M | 498.22M | 441.73M | 367.04M | 287M | 219.3M | 182.01M | 153.85M | 149.2M | 123.99M | 98.08M | 70.9M | 55.09M | 39.67M | 29.09M | 21.75M |
| COGS % of Revenue | 30.81% | 31.23% | 31.5% | 31.25% | 33.66% | 34.5% | 32.42% | 32.9% | 39.52% | 41.33% | 42.52% | 46.43% | 50.69% | 51.32% | 52.81% | 55.07% |
| Gross Profit | 1.23B | 1.1B | 960.79M | 807.56M | 565.65M | 416.33M | 379.32M | 313.78M | 228.33M | 176.02M | 132.62M | 81.8M | 53.59M | 37.63M | 26M | 17.74M |
| Gross Margin % | 69.19% | 68.77% | 68.5% | 68.75% | 66.34% | 65.5% | 67.58% | 67.1% | 60.48% | 58.67% | 57.48% | 53.57% | 49.31% | 48.68% | 47.19% | 44.93% |
| Gross Profit Growth % | 11.71% | 14.18% | 18.97% | 42.77% | 35.87% | 9.76% | 20.89% | 37.42% | 29.72% | 32.73% | 62.12% | 52.64% | 42.43% | 44.71% | 46.58% | - |
| Operating Expenses | 839.51M | 792.97M | 700.69M | 652.53M | 481.06M | 358.29M | 313.15M | 257.56M | 212.38M | 168.73M | 136.17M | 95.72M | 60.61M | 37.6M | 23.23M | 17.73M |
| OpEx % of Revenue | 47.39% | 49.71% | 49.96% | 55.55% | 56.42% | 56.37% | 55.79% | 55.08% | 56.26% | 56.24% | 59.02% | 62.69% | 55.77% | 48.64% | 42.17% | 44.89% |
| Selling, General & Admin | 618.12M | 587.12M | 522.36M | 488.54M | 378.15M | 281.58M | 250.38M | 207.23M | 174.74M | 139.63M | 109.43M | 75.86M | 50.26M | 30.77M | 21.45M | 16.16M |
| SG&A % of Revenue | 34.9% | 36.81% | 37.24% | 41.59% | 44.35% | 44.3% | 44.61% | 44.31% | 46.28% | 46.54% | 47.43% | 49.68% | 46.24% | 39.81% | 38.92% | 40.93% |
| Research & Development | 221.39M | 205.85M | 178.33M | 163.99M | 102.91M | 76.71M | 62.77M | 50.33M | 37.65M | 29.1M | 26.74M | 19.86M | 10.36M | 6.83M | 1.79M | 1.56M |
| R&D % of Revenue | 12.5% | 12.9% | 12.72% | 13.96% | 12.07% | 12.07% | 11.18% | 10.76% | 9.97% | 9.7% | 11.59% | 13.01% | 9.53% | 8.83% | 3.25% | 3.96% |
| Other Operating Expenses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Operating Income | 385.99M | 304.02M | 260.09M | 155.03M | 84.59M | 58.04M | 66.17M | 56.22M | 15.95M | 7.3M | -3.55M | -13.92M | -7.02M | 31K | 2.77M | 13K |
| Operating Margin % | 21.79% | 19.06% | 18.54% | 13.2% | 9.92% | 9.13% | 11.79% | 12.02% | 4.22% | 2.43% | -1.54% | -9.12% | -6.46% | 0.04% | 5.02% | 0.03% |
| Operating Income Growth % | 26.96% | 16.89% | 67.77% | 83.26% | 45.74% | -12.28% | 17.69% | 252.52% | 118.6% | 305.52% | 74.5% | -98.36% | -22738.71% | -98.88% | 21192.31% | - |
| EBITDA | 497.79M | 403.66M | 336.52M | 215.89M | 134.81M | 101.02M | 104.08M | 90.79M | 46.15M | 28.32M | 10.32M | -5.31M | -682K | 5.6M | 7.39M | 3.79M |
| EBITDA Margin % | 28.1% | 25.3% | 23.99% | 18.38% | 15.81% | 15.89% | 18.54% | 19.41% | 12.22% | 9.44% | 4.47% | -3.48% | -0.63% | 7.25% | 13.42% | 9.6% |
| EBITDA Growth % | 23.32% | 19.95% | 55.87% | 60.14% | 33.46% | -2.95% | 14.65% | 96.72% | 62.95% | 174.37% | 294.33% | -678.89% | -112.17% | -24.22% | 94.94% | - |
| D&A (Non-Cash Add-back) | 111.8M | 99.64M | 76.43M | 60.87M | 50.22M | 42.97M | 37.91M | 34.56M | 30.2M | 21.03M | 13.87M | 8.61M | 6.34M | 5.57M | 4.62M | 3.78M |
| EBIT | 387.3M | 322.12M | 277.77M | 159.37M | 84.09M | 57.1M | 66.17M | 56.22M | 15.95M | 7.3M | -3.55M | -13.92M | -7.02M | 31K | 2.77M | 13K |
| Net Interest Income | 0 | -13.05M | -758K | -752K | -498K | 0 | -695K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interest Income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interest Expense | 0 | 13.05M | 758K | 752K | 498K | 0 | 695K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Income/Expense | 1.31M | 5.04M | 16.92M | 3.59M | -997K | -939K | 947K | 1.82M | 802K | 73K | -124K | 54K | 163K | -16K | -196K | -179K |
| Pretax Income | 387.3M | 309.06M | 277.01M | 158.61M | 83.6M | 57.1M | 67.12M | 58.05M | 16.75M | 7.37M | -3.67M | -13.87M | -6.86M | 15K | 2.57M | -166K |
| Pretax Margin % | 21.87% | 19.37% | 19.75% | 13.5% | 9.8% | 8.98% | 11.96% | 12.41% | 4.44% | 2.46% | -1.59% | -9.08% | -6.31% | 0.02% | 4.67% | -0.42% |
| Income Tax | 117.56M | 81.94M | 70.25M | 17.79M | -7.18M | -13.71M | 2.66M | 4.22M | -21.85M | 651K | 177K | 105K | 255K | -602K | 884K | -36K |
| Effective Tax Rate % | 30.35% | 26.51% | 25.36% | 11.22% | -8.59% | -24.02% | 3.97% | 7.28% | -130.42% | 8.83% | -4.82% | -0.76% | -3.72% | -4013.33% | 34.37% | 21.69% |
| Net Income | 269.74M | 227.13M | 206.77M | 140.82M | 90.78M | 70.82M | 64.45M | 53.82M | 38.6M | 6.72M | -3.85M | -13.97M | -7.11M | 617K | 1.69M | -130K |
| Net Margin % | 15.23% | 14.24% | 14.74% | 11.99% | 10.65% | 11.14% | 11.48% | 11.51% | 10.22% | 2.24% | -1.67% | -9.15% | -6.54% | 0.8% | 3.06% | -0.33% |
| Net Income Growth % | 18.76% | 9.85% | 46.83% | 55.13% | 28.18% | 9.87% | 19.75% | 39.45% | 474.55% | 274.45% | 72.44% | -96.51% | -1252.35% | -63.45% | 1398.46% | - |
| Net Income (Continuing) | 269.74M | 227.13M | 206.77M | 140.82M | 90.78M | 70.82M | 64.45M | 53.82M | 38.6M | 6.72M | -3.85M | -13.97M | -7.11M | 617K | 1.69M | -130K |
| Discontinued Operations | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minority Interest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EPS (Diluted) | 4.92 | 4.02 | 3.63 | 2.49 | 1.61 | 1.26 | 1.16 | 0.97 | 0.70 | 0.12 | -0.08 | -0.28 | -0.19 | -0.05 | 0.02 | -0.00 |
| EPS Growth % | 22.39% | 10.74% | 45.78% | 54.66% | 27.78% | 8.62% | 19.59% | 38.57% | 483.33% | 258.73% | 73% | -47.37% | -266.8% | -329.2% | - | - |
| EPS (Basic) | 4.99 | 4.08 | 3.68 | 2.53 | 1.65 | 1.30 | 1.20 | 1.02 | 0.74 | 0.13 | -0.08 | -0.28 | -0.20 | -0.05 | 0.02 | -0.00 |
| Diluted Shares Outstanding | 54.77M | 56.55M | 56.98M | 56.6M | 56.45M | 56.3M | 55.81M | 55.41M | 54.89M | 54.06M | 50.91M | 50.13M | 36.71M | 44.19M | 44.19M | 44.19M |
| Basic Shares Outstanding | 54.08M | 55.65M | 56.21M | 55.71M | 55.04M | 54.32M | 53.55M | 52.91M | 52.42M | 51.41M | 50.91M | 49.9M | 36.12M | 44.19M | 44.19M | 44.19M |
| Dividend Payout Ratio | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying PCTY stock.
For fiscal year 2026, Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) reported total revenue of $1.77B. This represents a 4386.2% increase compared to $39.5M in 2011.
Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) is profitable, generating $269.7M in net income for the fiscal year ending 2026 with a net profit margin of 15.2%.
Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) reported an operating income of $386.0M, resulting in an operating profit margin of 21.8%. This margin reflects the operational efficiency of the business before interest and taxes.
Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) generated $1.23B in gross profit for the year, representing a gross profit margin of 69.2%. This demonstrates the company's core pricing power and production efficiency.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Interest income normalization and margin compression
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Growth Deceleration Amidst Recurring Resilience
Revenue growth slowed to 11.0% in 2026Q4 from 28.5% in 2026Q1, though recurring revenue grew 12.2%, suggesting core demand remains intact but overall momentum is cooling.
The sharp deceleration from 28.5% to 11.0% year-over-year growth over four quarters indicates a normalization from prior elevated levels, likely reflecting macroeconomic headwinds in the mid-market employment base. However, management's emphasis on 12.2% recurring revenue growth versus 11.0% total growth implies that the core subscription business is outperforming the blended figure, possibly due to lower implementation or interest income contributions. Investors should monitor whether this deceleration stabilizes or continues, as it may signal a maturing core market.
Gross Margin Ceiling and Interest Income Dependency
Gross margin hovered around 67-68% in recent quarters, below peers like Paycom's 78.6%, reflecting the high-touch service model; interest income on client funds provides a high-margin buffer that is vulnerable to rate cuts.
Gross margins have remained range-bound between 67.0% and 68.5% over the last five quarters, indicating structural constraints from service intensity and multi-state tax complexity. The 72.3% gross margin in 2026Q3 likely benefited from seasonal float income, which carries near-100% incremental margin. As the Fed normalizes rates, this tailwind may fade, potentially compressing overall margins unless the company can shift toward more automated service delivery.
Operating Leverage Stalled by Rising Costs
Operating margin fell to 19.0% in 2026Q4 from 31.3% in 2026Q3, as SG&A and R&D expenses grew faster than gross profit, indicating that the company is not currently scaling efficiently.
Despite a 10.5% increase in gross profit year-over-year in 2026Q4, operating income declined sequentially from $157.0M to $84.4M, driven by a $6.7M increase in SG&A and a $3.0M increase in R&D. This suggests that the company is investing heavily in sales capacity and product development, which may be necessary for future growth but currently compresses operating leverage. The elevated SBC of $27.2M in 2026Q4 further adds to the cost base, though it is non-cash.
EPS Miss Clouds Earnings Quality
EPS of $1.11 in 2026Q4 missed consensus by a wide margin, while SBC remained elevated at $27.2M, suggesting that reported earnings may be overstated relative to cash generation.
The significant EPS miss versus consensus indicates that operating expenses were higher than anticipated, possibly due to one-time items or accelerated investments. Stock-based compensation of $27.2M represents a substantial non-cash charge that reduces reported net income but does not affect cash flow, yet it still dilutes shareholders. The tax rate appears stable, but the reliance on interest income for a portion of net income adds volatility, as seen in the sequential drop from $111.2M to $60.3M in net income.
SG&A and R&D Outpace Revenue Growth
SG&A grew 3.8% year-over-year in 2026Q4 while R&D grew 8.8%, both outpacing the 11.0% revenue growth, indicating that cost discipline is currently secondary to growth investments.
The cost structure is dominated by SG&A, which at $160.4M represents 36.1% of revenue, and R&D at $55.5M (12.5% of revenue). The sequential increase in SG&A from $153.7M to $160.4M suggests continued hiring in sales and marketing, which is typical for a growth-focused HCM provider. However, the lack of operating leverage in the latest quarter raises questions about the efficiency of these investments, especially if revenue growth continues to decelerate.
2026Q3 Peak and Subsequent Margin Reversal
2026Q3 marked a peak with operating margin of 31.3% and net margin of 22.1%, but the subsequent quarter saw margins nearly halve, signaling a potential inflection point in profitability.
The 2026Q3 quarter benefited from seasonal strength and possibly higher float income, driving operating income to $157.0M. The sharp decline in 2026Q4 to a 19.0% operating margin suggests that the prior quarter's performance was not sustainable, possibly due to one-time items or a step-up in costs. This volatility indicates that the company's earnings power is sensitive to both seasonal factors and interest rate movements, and investors should not extrapolate peak margins as the new normal.
Margin Compression and Rate Normalization Risks
The EPS miss and reliance on float income expose PCTY to margin compression if interest rates decline, while rising SBC and SG&A could further pressure profitability.
Short-sellers would likely highlight that the 2026Q4 EPS miss was not a one-off, as SG&A and R&D costs continue to rise faster than revenue, and the company's gross margin is structurally below peers. Additionally, the high-margin interest income from client funds is vulnerable to Fed rate cuts, which could reduce net margins significantly. If the core subscription growth continues to decelerate, the company may struggle to offset these headwinds, leading to a re-rating of its premium valuation.