It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Paychex (NASDAQ:PAYX). Shares have added about 1.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Paychex due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Paychex Beats Earnings & Revenues Estimates in Q1
Paychex reported solid first-quarter fiscal 2020 results wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Adjusted earnings of 71 cents per share outpaced the consensus estimate by 2 cents and increased 6% on a year-over-year basis. Total revenues of $992 billion beat the consensus mark by $1.1 million and increased 15% year over year. Oasis acquisition (completed during December 2018) contributed less than 10% to top-line growth in the reported quarter.
Revenues in Detail
Revenues from Management Solutions increased 5% year over year to $724.5 million. The growth was driven by increase in the company’s client base across many of its services and growth in revenue per client (on the back of price increases, net of discounts). Under Management Solutions, retirement services’ revenues benefited from an increase in the asset fee revenues earned on the asset value of participants’ funds.
PEO and insurance services revenues were $247 million, up 56% from the year-ago quarter. The uptick was driven by contribution from Oasis acquisition and growth in clients and client worksite employees across the company’s PEO business. Insurance Services revenue growth was driven by rise in the number of health and benefit clients and applicants, partially offset by softness in the workers’ compensation market as state insurance fund rates declined.
Furthermore, interest on funds held for clients increased 20% year over to $20.5 million on higher average interest rates earned.
Operating Performance
Operating income increased 9% year over year to $349.1 million. However, operating income margin declined to 35.2% from 37.1% in the year-ago quarter. EBITDA of $403.0 million improved 13% year over year. EBITDA margin of 41% was flat year over year.
Paychex’s total expenses rose 18% from the year-ago quarter to $642.9 million.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
Paychex exited fiscal first-quarter 2020 with cash and cash equivalents of $586.4 million compared with $673.6 million at the end of the prior quarter. Cash provided by operating activities was $294.8 million in the reported quarter.
During the reported quarter, the company paid $222 million in dividends and repurchased shares worth $171.9 million.
Fiscal 2020 View
For fiscal year 2020, Paychex expects PEO and insurance services revenues to register 30% growth compared with the prior guided growth rate of 30-35%. Management solutions revenues are anticipated to register 5% growth compared with the prior guided growth rate of 4%. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to register 9% growth compared with the prior guided growth rate of 8-9%.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
It turns out, estimates review have trended downward during the past month.
VGM Scores
Currently, Paychex has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a B. However, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. Notably, Paychex has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
Paychex, Inc. (PAYX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post