Paycom stock rises after Q2 beats and 2026 outlook
Published on 08/18/2026 at 20:43 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Paycom Software, Inc. (US70432V1026) is trading higher after its August 5, 2026 second-quarter report showed $2.78 in adjusted EPS, $531.2 million in revenue and a 2026 outlook that now points to $2.197 billion-$2.212 billion of revenue, with adjusted EBITDA guided to $1.007 billion-$1.022 billion. Shares changed hands at $220.12 at 9:56 a.m. ET, up $5.93, or 2.77%, and the stock carried a $9.92 billion market value in the same snapshot.
Quarterly numbers
The latest quarter included a $0.40 EPS beat versus consensus and revenue that was 9.8% above the same quarter a year earlier. The company also reported net margin of 22.78% and return on equity of 37.06%, two figures that place profitability at the center of the current debate.
Investors are also weighing the 2026 guidance range against the quarter just reported. The midpoint of the revenue outlook is $2.2045 billion, while the midpoint of adjusted EBITDA guidance is $1.0145 billion.
Market setup
The stock sits inside a 52-week range of $104.90 to $234.60, and the quoted price is still below that high. Year to date, the shares have advanced 34.7% from the January 1 level cited in the same market snapshot.
Consensus remains cautious rather than euphoric, with a hold rating and an average price target of $204.69 in the market data snapshot. That puts the current price above the consensus target and gives the latest rally a valuation angle as much as an earnings angle.
Product angle
Paycom's core software platform covers payroll, HR administration, talent acquisition, time and labor, and employee self-service. The latest report matters because the model depends on both recurring subscriptions and the company’s ability to keep lifting automation adoption inside that platform.
The company’s August 5, 2026 release also landed alongside a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, with an ex-dividend date of August 24, 2026 and payment on September 8, 2026. For shareholders, that adds a separate income marker to a quarter already defined by a clear earnings beat.
Price and view
Paycom Software traded at $220.12 as of August 18, 2026, 9:56 a.m. ET, according to the market snapshot. The same page showed a market capitalization of $9.92 billion and a 52-week range of $104.90 to $234.60.
Paycom Software facts
Company: Paycom Software, Inc.
ISIN: US70432V1026
Ticker: PAYC
Exchange: NYSE
Sector / Industry: Technology / Application Software
Index membership: None verified in the cited market snapshot
More on Paycom Software
Paycom's latest quarter and updated 2026 outlook remain the main drivers behind the move, while the current price sits above the consensus target from the same market data snapshot.
