Paycom Software’s stock price target has been reduced from $250 to $225 by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group, as outlined in a report released on Monday. This adjustment reflects a shift to a “hold” rating for the software company, which specializes in cloud-based human capital management solutions.
Several analysts have recently evaluated Paycom Software (NYSE: PAYC), providing a range of perspectives on the stock’s potential. For instance, Guggenheim initiated coverage on September 26, 2023, assigning a “buy” rating with a target price of $270. In contrast, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on October 8, 2023. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its target price from $215 to $235 on August 7, 2023, while maintaining a “neutral” rating.
On the same day, BMO Capital Markets increased its target from $244 to $258, also issuing a “market perform” rating. Overall, MarketBeat.com reports that the consensus among analysts shows four “buy” ratings and eleven “hold” ratings, with an average target price of approximately $245.62.
Market Performance and Financial Results
On Monday, Paycom’s stock opened at $201.49, reflecting its current market capitalization of approximately $11.66 billion. The company has a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 27.27 and a price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio of 2.19. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $161.24 and a high of $267.76.
The company’s latest quarterly earnings report, released on August 6, 2023, indicated that Paycom achieved earnings per share (EPS) of $2.06, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.78 by $0.28. Paycom reported revenue of $483.6 million for the quarter, exceeding the consensus estimate of $472 million. The firm also noted a year-over-year revenue increase of 10.5% and a return on equity of 25.4%.
Dividend Announcement and Insider Activity
In addition to its earnings report, Paycom recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, which was paid on September 8, 2023. Shareholders on record as of August 25, 2023, received the payment, which translates to an annualized dividend of $1.50 and a yield of 0.7%. The dividend payout ratio currently stands at 20.3%.
Insider trading activity has also been notable. On September 12, 2023, insider Bradley Scott Smith sold 1,500 shares of the company at an average price of $223.27, totaling $334,905. Following this transaction, Smith retains ownership of 24,533 shares valued at approximately $5.48 million. Corporate insiders hold a total of 10.9% of Paycom’s stock.
Institutional ownership remains significant, with hedge funds adjusting their positions in the company. For example, Brooklyn Investment Group increased its holdings by 19.4% in the first quarter, now owning 240 shares valued at $52,000. Other notable adjustments include Commerce Bank, which grew its holdings by 2.2%, and Allworth Financial LP, increasing by 12.9%. Overall, institutional investors control approximately 87.77% of Paycom Software’s shares.
Paycom Software continues to navigate a competitive landscape, offering essential tools for businesses to manage their human resources efficiently. The recent adjustments in analyst ratings reflect varying perspectives on its future performance, while the company’s solid financial results indicate ongoing growth potential.
