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Furuno Electric and 3 other firms revise earnings after the close, Hoden Seimitsu posts 33% profit gain
After the market close, several companies including Furuno Electric, Hoden Seimitsu, Axelspace, and Alpha announced earnings revisions. Furuno Electric raised its interim ordinary profit for the February-ending fiscal year by 37%, from 10 billion yen to 13.7 billion yen, while Hoden Seimitsu lifted its net profit for the February-ending year by 33%, from 866 million yen to 1.151 billion yen. On the other hand, Axelspace cut its net loss forecast for the May-ending fiscal year to a loss of 3.65 billion yen from a loss of 240 million yen, a change of minus 1421%. Alpha lowered its net profit for the August-ending fiscal year by 75%, from 130 million yen to 32 million yen, and TWOSTONE reduced its operating profit for the August-ending year by 39%, from 1.324 billion yen to 810 million yen. Value Creation revised up its interim net profit for the March-ending fiscal year by 85%, from 65 million yen to 120 million yen.
3434.JP · Capital · Negative Alpha lowered its net profit for the August-ending fiscal year by 75%, from 130 million yen to 32 million yen.
402A.JP · Capital · Negative Axelspace cut its net loss forecast for the May-ending fiscal year to a loss of 3.65 billion yen from a loss of 240 million yen.
4760.JP · Capital · Negative Alpha lowered its net profit for the August-ending fiscal year by 75%, from 130 million yen to 32 million yen.
6814.JP · Capital · Positive Furuno Electric raised its interim ordinary profit for the February-ending fiscal year by 37%, from 10 billion yen to 13.7 billion yen.
7352.JP · Capital · Negative TWOSTONE reduced its operating profit for the August-ending year by 39%, from 1.324 billion yen to 810 million yen.
DLH Holdings announced on Monday that it has been awarded a task order to design, develop, and pilot a data governance framework for secure access to controlled biomedical research data by the National Institutes of Health. Under the task order, DLH will serve as a technical advisor to harmonize NIH and federal data policies and integrate governance workflows across biomedical data platforms, piloting a data management approach within the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and at least one other NIH Institute or Center, which could serve as a roadmap for NIH-wide adoption. The company said it will incorporate security, privacy, data rights, and artificial intelligence governance requirements where applicable and collect performance metrics related to usability, compliance, interoperability, and stakeholder satisfaction. DLH said the task order represents new work and carries a total value of $2 million over an eighteen-month period of performance.
Paychex Posts US$1,630.5 Million Revenue, Launches AI WISE Hire Tool
Paychex reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results with revenue of US$1,630.5 million and net income of US$429.7 million, updated full-year guidance to 5%–6% total revenue growth, completed a 3,500,000-share buyback for US$322 million, and launched its AI-native WISE Hire recruiting solution. The AI-native WISE Hire tool is being embedded across Paychex's HCM platforms, including SurePayroll, Paychex Flex and Paycor, as the company pushes toward higher-value, technology-enabled services. The company's narrative projects US$7.7 billion revenue and US$2.4 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 5.2% yearly revenue growth and about a US$0.6 billion earnings increase from US$1.8 billion today. Some of the lowest analyst estimates already assumed only about 5.3 percent annual revenue growth and earnings near US$2.3 billion by 2029, leaving the more cautious view on margins and growth potentially more reasonable if the AI rollout does not translate into clear productivity gains. The completed buyback is seen as helpful but not a major catalyst by itself.
PAYX · Capital · Positive Paychex reported Q1 FY2027 revenue of US$1,630.5M, net income of US$429.7M, updated guidance to 5%-6% growth, and completed a US$322M buyback.
PAYX · Technology · Positive Paychex launched its AI-native WISE Hire recruiting solution embedded across its HCM platforms including SurePayroll, Paychex Flex and Paycor.
ADP Reports Pays-Per-Control Growth Slowdown to About 1% for Fiscal 2026
Automatic Data Processing reported a sharp slowdown in pays-per-control growth to about 1% for fiscal 2026 and guided to 0-1% for fiscal 2027, signaling a cooler U.S. labor market alongside expectations for slightly weaker client retention. At the same time, ADP's Employer Services revenue grew 7% in the latest fiscal quarter, with new business bookings up 6% and client float income poised to benefit from rising wages. Management emphasized that AI is reshaping how work is done rather than eliminating jobs. ADP's narrative projects $25.9 billion revenue and $5.6 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 5.7% yearly revenue growth and an earnings increase of about $1.2 billion from $4.4 billion today, and forecasts a $287.60 fair value, a 12% upside to its current price. Some analysts were more optimistic before this slowdown, assuming ADP could lift revenue to about US$26.4 billion and earnings to roughly US$5.8 billion.
ADP · Capital · Negative ADP reported a sharp slowdown in pays-per-control growth to about 1% for fiscal 2026 and guided to 0-1% for fiscal 2027, signaling weaker client retention and softer labor-market trends.
ManpowerGroup Posts Q2 2026 Beat as Cash Falls to $180.6 Million
ManpowerGroup reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 99 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.1% and rising 26.9% from the year-ago quarter, on revenues of $4.86 billion that topped the consensus mark by 3.8% and rose 7.5% year over year, or 5.8% in constant currency. Regional growth was broad-based: Americas revenues rose 14.4% year over year to $1.21 billion, led by a 29% increase in Other Americas to $498 million, while U.S. revenues grew 6% to $714.3 million; Southern Europe revenues rose 7.4% to $2.31 billion, Northern Europe revenues increased 3.9% to $825.5 million, and Asia-Pacific Middle East revenues declined 1.2% on a reported basis to $518.7 million but rose 5% in constant currency. Gross profit rose 2.2% year over year to $780.3 million, though gross margin fell 80 basis points to 16.1% on business mix changes and the sale of the higher-margin Jefferson Wells U.S. business, while selling and administrative expenses fell 15.3% to $668.3 million from $789.0 million, lifting operating profit to $112 million from a $25.3 million loss a year earlier. Management is targeting $200 million in permanent cost savings by 2028 through its transformation program and AI-led productivity initiatives, and maintained its semi-annual dividend at 72 cents per share, with first-half dividend payments of $33.5 million versus $33.3 million a year earlier. The company's cash balance fell to $180.6 million at the end of the second quarter of 2026 from $871 million at the end of 2025, reflecting $585.8 million in long-term debt repayments, with operating activities using $129 million in the first half even as second-quarter free cash flow narrowed to a $9-million outflow from $207 million a year earlier.
MAN · Capital · Positive Q2 2026 adjusted EPS of 99 cents beat consensus by 3.1% and revenue topped estimates, with operating profit swinging to $112 million from a year-ago loss
Jefferson Wells · Capital · Negative Sale of the higher-margin Jefferson Wells U.S. business contributed to an 80 basis point gross margin decline
Robert Half 2027 Salary Guide: 55% of Employers Stretch Pay Budgets for Specialized Talent
Robert Half released its 2027 Salary Guide, projecting salary increases of between +1.1% and +1.8% across the six professional fields it covers, with 55% of managers saying they are offering higher-than-planned salaries to attract top talent. More than six in 10 employers, 61%, cite specialized skills as the reason for paying above planned budget, and 63% are increasing pay for professionals with relevant AI skills, while 32% say AI expertise commands a greater premium than other technical skills. Six in 10 organizations are raising compensation budgets despite cost pressures, and 70% of companies are taking pay transparency steps beyond legal requirements, with 49% saying this has produced higher-quality candidate pools. Among individual roles, the marketing automation specialist is expected to see the largest increase at +5.9%, followed by the business intelligence developer at +5.3%, the chief information security officer at +5.2%, the litigation support and eDiscovery director at +5.1%, and the digital strategist at +5.0%, all above the national average increase of +1.4%. The guide also flags gaps between what workers value and what employers offer, including cost of living adjustments, valued by 50% of workers but offered by 18% of employers, and flexible work schedules, valued by 66% but offered by 52%.
RHI · Demand · Positive Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide shows 55% of employers stretching pay budgets and rising demand for specialized/AI talent, supporting its staffing and recruiting business.
US Job Postings Rise for First Time Since 2022 as ADP Shows 90,000 Private-Sector Jobs Added
Job postings in the United States are on the rise for the first time since 2022, even as the labor force shrinks and worker confidence hits a record low. The ADP National Employment report showed the private-sector labor market added 90,000 jobs in September, one of its strongest readings since May, with wages also increasing. Growth in postings is concentrated in data technology and software development, while healthcare and education also offer opportunities. Economists expect the unemployment rate, at 4.1%, to shift little this year or next, but the labor market has been reshaped by retiring baby boomers, reduced immigration and fewer women in the workforce. Job seekers who were out of work in August have been searching for roughly six months, and many employed workers are staying put amid uncertainty and stagnant wages.
ADP · Capital · Positive ADP's own National Employment report showed 90,000 private-sector jobs added in September, one of its strongest readings since May, boosting its data-services franchise.
US ADP Private Employment Rises 90,000 in September, Beating Market Expectations
According to the September national employment report released by US private employment services company ADP on the 30th, the number of private nonfarm payrolls (seasonally adjusted) rose by 90,000 from the previous month, exceeding the market expectation of 70,000, according to Reuters. By sector, education and health added 55,000, leisure and hospitality added 22,000, construction added 15,000, and manufacturing added 17,000, while financial activities shed 16,000 and professional and business services shed 11,000. Nonfarm payrolls rose 36,000 in August.
ADP · Capital · Positive ADP's own September national employment report showed private payrolls rising 90,000, beating the 70,000 expectation, a positive data point for the company's flagship employment-reporting business.
ADP reports U.S. private-sector hiring rose by 90,000 in September, above expectations
Automatic Data Processing Inc. reported that U.S. private-sector employment rose by 90,000 in September, above analysts' expectations of 70,000, after an increase of 36,000 in August. Hiring was strong in the education and health services sector, which added 55,000 jobs, while the leisure and hospitality sector created 22,000 jobs. Midsized companies with 250 to 499 employees were the group with the most hiring.
ADP · Demand · Positive ADP's own private-sector hiring report showed 90,000 jobs added in September, above expectations, reflecting strong demand for its payroll/employment services.
ADP Set to Report First Quarter Fiscal 2027 Results on October 28
Automatic Data Processing is scheduled to report first quarter fiscal 2027 results before the Nasdaq opens on October 28, 2026, with attention shifting to what management says on the accompanying call. The stock has fallen 8.93% over the past month, though it still shows a 16.90% 90 day share price return, while the 1 year total shareholder return is down 7.95% and the 5 year total shareholder return is 46.37%. At a last close of $261.80 against a narrative fair value of $287.60, the company is framed as modestly undervalued, with management targeting 70 to 90 basis points of adjusted EBIT margin expansion annually as investments in AI driven automation across ADP Assist, Lyric and the Zone support lower contacts per client and higher service productivity. The stock trades on a P/E of 23.5x, richer than peers at 19.2x and the US Professional Services average at 21x, yet below a fair ratio of 26.8x. The bullish story could be knocked off course if PEO margins remain under pressure or new AI driven payroll competitors chip away at pricing power.
ADP · Capital · Neutral ADP is the subject, but the article only previews its upcoming Q1 FY2027 earnings date and cites valuation/margin targets without a new development.
Paychex Q1 Revenue Rises 6% to $1.6 Billion as PEO Guidance Raised
Paychex reported fiscal 2027 first-quarter revenue up 6% to $1.6 billion and adjusted EPS up 10% to $1.34, both ahead of expectations, yet the stock sold off sharply enough that JPMorgan upgraded the shares to Neutral from Underweight and raised its price target to $115 from $105, calling the reaction overdone. PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue jumped 12% to $367.6 million, prompting management to raise full-year PEO guidance to 7% - 8% from 6% - 7%, while total revenue guidance held at 5% - 6%. CEO John Gibson said new logo PEO sales and ASO-to-PEO conversions accelerated together, running roughly double plan, with enterprise bookings up double digits and broker referrals up 43% year-over-year after a third national broker partnership in six months with IMA Financial Group. Management Solutions growth slowed to 4% from roughly 5.5% in the fourth quarter, which CFO Bob Schrader attributed mostly to ASO clients shifting into PEO, calling it left pocket, right pocket. BMO Capital cut its target to $113 from $118, Stifel cut to $112 from $130, and Jefferies trimmed to $110 from $120, with Jefferies saying investors want proof the segment has stabilized before rewarding PEO strength.
PAYX · Capital · Positive Q1 revenue up 6% to $1.6B and adjusted EPS up 10% to $1.34 beat expectations, with PEO guidance raised to 7%-8%.
PAYX · Demand · Positive New logo PEO sales and ASO-to-PEO conversions ran roughly double plan, enterprise bookings up double digits, and broker referrals up 43%.
JPM · Capital · Positive JPMorgan upgraded Paychex to Neutral from Underweight and raised its price target to $115 from $105, calling the selloff overdone.
JEF · Capital · Negative Jefferies trimmed its Paychex price target to $110 from $120, saying investors want proof the segment has stabilized.
SF · Capital · Negative Stifel cut its Paychex price target to $112 from $130.
Kanzhun Declares $0.51 Per Share Dividend With 2026 Ex-Dividend Date
Kanzhun Ltd has announced a total dividend of $0.51 per share, consisting entirely of a cash dividend, with an ex-dividend date of 2026-09-28 and a payment date of 2026-10-14. The Chinese online recruitment company, best known for its Boss Zhipin mobile platform, has maintained a consistent annual dividend record since 2025. As of today, Kanzhun carries a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.18% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.66%, with a payout ratio of 0.10 as of 2026-06-30. The company's revenue has grown approximately 19.10% per year on average over three years, while earnings increased roughly 189.40% per year on average over the same period. GuruFocus ranks Kanzhun's profitability and growth each 5 out of 10, and notes the company has reported net profit in 4 of the past 10 years.
JPMorgan Upgrades Paychex to Neutral as PEO Revenue Jumps 12%
JPMorgan upgraded Paychex to Neutral from Underweight on September 24 and raised its price target to $115 from $105, calling the stock's post-earnings sell-off excessive after shares fell more than 5% following fiscal first-quarter 2027 results. Revenue from Professional Employer Organization and Insurance Solutions rose 12% year over year to $367.6 million in the quarter, driven by higher worksite employees and increased PEO insurance volumes. Paychex also raised its fiscal 2027 revenue-growth guidance for PEO and Insurance Solutions to 7% to 8%, from 6% to 7% previously, citing strong conversion rates and referral activity. The company is folding artificial intelligence into its human capital management platform through its WISE engine and WISE Hire agentic recruiting solution. Hedge fund holdings in Paychex slipped to 40 funds from 43 in the prior quarter, while short interest rose to 19.82 million shares as of September 15, about 5.57% of shares outstanding.
PAYX · Capital · Positive JPMorgan upgraded Paychex to Neutral and raised its price target to $115, calling the post-earnings sell-off excessive.
PAYX · Demand · Positive PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue rose 12% to $367.6M on higher worksite employees and insurance volumes, with fiscal 2027 growth guidance raised to 7-8%.
Paychex Beats Q1 EPS Estimates But Slow Growth Drags Shares
Paychex reported fiscal 2027 first-quarter results on September 23 that beat earnings expectations but left investors focused on slowing growth. For the quarter ended August 31, 2026, total revenue rose 6% year-over-year to $1.6 billion, operating income climbed 14% to $619.2 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 10% to $1.34, ahead of the $1.32 consensus estimate. The company raised parts of its fiscal 2027 outlook, lifting expected PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue growth to 7% to 8% from a prior forecast of 6% to 7%, and also raised its outlook for interest on funds held for clients on higher average interest rates. However, Paychex maintained its full-year total revenue growth outlook at 5% to 6%, well below the 17% reported in fiscal 2026, a comparison distorted by the Paycor acquisition, which contributed roughly 12 percentage points to that prior-year growth. Revenue in Management Solutions, the company's largest segment, rose just 4%, and management warned that the second quarter faces a difficult year-over-year comparison because the prior-year period benefited from two one-time items, a revenue synergy benefit and realized gains from portfolio repositioning. Paychex also said its AI spending is now five times higher than a year earlier, which could pressure margins during the investment phase, while management described current employment and economic data as relatively stable but noted an oil shock or severe inflationary shock could change that backdrop. Hedge fund interest declined, with 40 funds holding the stock at the end of the second quarter versus 43 in the first, and short interest stood at 6.23% of the float as of September 15.
PAYX · Capital · Neutral Paychex beat Q1 EPS estimates ($1.34 vs $1.32) and raised PEO/insurance and client-funds interest outlooks, but maintained weak 5-6% full-year revenue growth and warned of margin pressure from 5x higher AI spending.
Five of Six S&P 500 Firms Beat EPS Estimates as Costco and Cintas Lead Results
Five of the six S&P 500 companies reporting earnings this week topped consensus EPS estimates, with one matching expectations and none missing, while five of the six also expanded profits year over year. Costco Wholesale reported fiscal fourth-quarter net sales up 12% to $95.72 billion, beating estimates by $830 million, with diluted EPS up 15% to $6.57 and global adjusted comparable sales up 6.7%. Cintas posted fiscal first-quarter revenue up 11% year over year to $3.01 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.39, and raised its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $12.15 billion to $12.27 billion and adjusted EPS guidance to $5.45 to $5.54. AutoZone reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue up 5.6% to $6.59 billion with EPS of $56.05, General Mills posted revenue of $4.4 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.75 with full-year EPS guidance of $3.00 to $3.20, and Paychex reported revenue up 6% to $1.63 billion with adjusted EPS of $1.34. Darden Restaurants reported first-quarter revenue of $3.2 billion, missing estimates by $10 million, with fiscal 2027 EPS guidance of $11.10 to $11.35 below the analyst forecast.
COST · Capital · Positive Costco's fiscal Q4 net sales rose 12% to $95.72 billion, beating estimates, with diluted EPS up 15% to $6.57.
CTAS · Capital · Positive Cintas posted fiscal Q1 revenue up 11% to $3.01 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.39, and raised its fiscal 2027 guidance.
DRI · Capital · Negative Darden's Q1 revenue of $3.2 billion missed estimates by $10 million and its fiscal 2027 EPS guidance came in below analyst forecasts.
PAYX · Capital · Positive Paychex reported revenue up 6% to $1.63 billion with adjusted EPS of $1.34, beating estimates.
AZO · Capital · Positive AutoZone reported fiscal Q4 revenue up 5.6% to $6.59 billion with EPS of $56.05, a positive earnings result.
GIS · Capital · Positive General Mills posted revenue of $4.4 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.75 with full-year EPS guidance of $3.00 to $3.20.
Korn Ferry Leads Staffing Peers With Highest Guidance Raise in Strong Q2
Korn Ferry reported fiscal second-quarter revenues of $764.6 million, up 6.9% year on year and 2.3% above analysts' expectations, scoring the highest guidance raise among its professional staffing and HR solutions peers. Across the 8 professional staffing and HR solutions stocks tracked, group revenues beat consensus estimates by 2.3% and next-quarter revenue guidance came in 3.9% above expectations, though share prices in the group are down 6.3% on average since the latest earnings results. ManpowerGroup posted the strongest quarter, with revenues of $4.86 billion, up 7.5% year on year and 2.9% above expectations, and its stock is up 46% since reporting, trading at $56.96. Barrett Business Services delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates, with revenues of $319.3 million, up 3.8% year on year and in line with expectations, alongside a significant miss on EPS, sending its stock down 21.2% to $31.61. Alight reported revenues of $511 million, down 3.2% year on year but 2.8% above expectations, and logged the group's weakest guidance update, with its stock down 33.3% at $11.46, while First Advantage reported revenues of $448.8 million, up 14.9% year on year and 8.2% above expectations, delivering the biggest estimate beat, fastest revenue growth, and highest full-year guidance raise of the group. Korn Ferry's stock is down 12.3% since reporting and currently trades at $71.97.
KFY · Capital · Positive Korn Ferry reported Q2 revenues up 6.9% YoY, 2.3% above expectations, and scored the highest guidance raise among peers.
ALIT · Capital · Negative Alight logged the group's weakest guidance update and its stock is down 33.3% at $11.46.
BBSI · Capital · Negative Barrett Business Services missed on EPS significantly, sending its stock down 21.2% to $31.61.
FA · Capital · Positive First Advantage delivered the biggest estimate beat, fastest revenue growth, and highest full-year guidance raise of the group.
MAN · Capital · Positive ManpowerGroup posted the strongest quarter with revenues up 7.5% YoY and 2.9% above expectations, its stock up 46% since reporting.
ADP Nominates David W. Kenny and Nancy McKinstry to Board of Directors
ADP has nominated David W. Kenny and Nancy McKinstry to its Board of Directors in connection with the company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, set for November 11, 2026. Kenny brings extensive experience in technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics and consumer insights, having served as executive chairman of Nielsen Holdings plc from 2023 to 2025 and as its chief executive officer from 2018 to 2023, and previously held leadership roles at IBM as Senior Vice President of IBM Watson and IBM Cloud. McKinstry served as chief executive officer and chair of the executive board of Wolters Kluwer N.V. from September 2003 until February 2026, and currently serves on the boards of Abbott Laboratories, Accenture plc and Mondelēz International, Inc. Thomas J. Lynch, independent non-executive chair of the ADP Board, said the two will be outstanding additions, citing their leadership experience and expertise in strategy, technology and business transformation. Maria Black, president and chief executive officer of ADP, said clients need a trusted partner to navigate one of the most significant workforce transitions of our time, and that Kenny and McKinstry's experience leading transformation, innovation and growth will bring valuable perspectives to the Board.
Paychex Guides for 5% to 6% Revenue Growth Through Fiscal 2027
Paychex has updated its guidance for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2027, outlining a 5% to 6% revenue growth range. The payroll and HR services company also launched the WISE Hire AI recruiting solution, news now being weighed against a recent share pullback. Paychex shares are down 3.2% over the past week and 8.0% over the last month, though they remain up 18.9% over 90 days and 5.5% year to date, with a 1 year total shareholder return of 7.5%, at a recent price of US$114.53. Analysts hold a consensus price target of $113.71, with the most bullish at $150.0 and the most bearish at $95.0, while a discounted cash flow model estimates future cash flow value of $189.98. The company faces pressure if the Paycor integration stumbles or if smaller deal sizes and cautious clients weigh on long term revenue assumptions.
Paychex stock fell 6.7% through 12:20 p.m. ET Wednesday even after the payroll and benefits company beat profit and revenue expectations for its fiscal Q1 2027. Analysts had expected earnings of $1.32 per share on $1.63 billion in sales; Paychex hit the revenue target and reported $1.34 per share, though that figure was non-GAAP and GAAP earnings came in at just $1.21 per share. Revenue grew 6% year over year, while operating and GAAP net income each rose 14%, but free cash flow for the quarter was only $357.4 million, just 87% of reported net income and down significantly from a year earlier. Paychex largely stuck with its fiscal 2027 guidance, projecting revenue growth of 5% to 6%, adjusted operating margins of 44%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of 7% to 9%.
Synergie H1 Revenue Rises 8% to €1,710.5 Million but Net Profit Falls 10%
Synergie reported first-half 2026 revenue of €1,710.5 million, up 8.0% from the first half of 2025, though net profit fell 10.0% to €24.5 million. The revenue gain included an €89.6 million scope effect from acquisitions completed in Canada and Switzerland, and came in at +2.3% at constant scope and exchange rates. EBITDA slipped 2.8% to €61.4 million, or 3.6% of revenue, down from €63.2 million and 4.0% a year earlier, while operating profit declined 11.8% to €40.0 million. International operations accounted for 63.6% of group revenue, up from 60.5%, with Southern Europe up 10.6% on Italy and Spain and Northern and Eastern Europe up 5.6%, while France revenue was broadly stable at €622.8 million. Net cash stood at €258.5 million and shareholders' equity at €762.3 million, and the group said it enters the second half with caution and determination, with third-quarter revenue due on October 21st, 2026.
Paychex reported fiscal first-quarter revenue growth of 6% to $1.6 billion, with adjusted earnings per share up 10% to $1.34 and adjusted operating margin of 42%. Within that total, management solutions revenue rose 4% to $1.2 billion, while PEO and insurance solutions revenue climbed 12% to $368 million on high-single-digit worksite employee growth and record retention. The company raised its full-year PEO and insurance revenue-growth forecast to 7% to 8% while reaffirming its overall fiscal 2027 outlook, and said ASO-to-PEO conversions ran at double expectations with broker referrals up 43% year over year. Chief Financial Officer Bob Schrader said fiscal 2027 AI investment is five times the prior-year level, with more than 2,000 AI agents and features deployed and the new WISE Hire recruiting product entering commercialization. For the fiscal second quarter, Paychex expects revenue growth of about 4% and adjusted operating margin of about 40%.
PAYX · Capital · Positive Paychex posted 6% revenue growth to $1.6B with adjusted EPS up 10% and 42% operating margin, and raised its full-year PEO revenue-growth forecast.
PAYX · Demand · Positive PEO and insurance revenue climbed 12% on high-single-digit worksite employee growth, record retention, and broker referrals up 43% year over year.
Paychex Q1 Earnings and Revenue Beat Estimates, PEO Outlook Raised
Paychex reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings of $1.34 per share, up 9.8% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33, while total revenues rose 5.9% to $1.63 billion, topping the consensus mark of $1.62 billion. Within that total, Management Solutions revenues, the company's largest contributor, increased 4% year over year to $1.21 billion, and PEO and Insurance Solutions revenues climbed 12% to $367.6 million, while total service revenues advanced 6% to $1.58 billion and interest on funds held for clients rose 5% to $49.8 million. Operating income increased 14% to $619.2 million, lifting the operating margin to 38% from 35.2%, and adjusted operating income rose 9% to $684.7 million as the adjusted operating margin improved to 42% from 40.7%. Net income advanced 12% to $429.7 million, or $1.21 per share on a GAAP basis, as acquisition-related costs declined to $65.5 million from $84.8 million a year earlier. For fiscal 2027, Paychex maintained total revenue growth guidance of 5-6%, an adjusted operating margin forecast of about 44% and adjusted earnings growth of 7-9%, but raised its PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue growth forecast to 7-8% from 6-7% and lifted its outlook for interest on funds held for clients to $200-$210 million from $195-$205 million.
ADP Stock Climbs 33% in Six Months on AI-Driven Bookings Growth
ADP shares have risen 33.4% over the past six months, outpacing the industry's 30.3% return and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 19.1% gain over the same period. The payroll and HR services company ended fiscal 2026 with Employer Services business bookings up 6% year over year to $2.2 billion, and management guided to 4-7% bookings growth for fiscal 2027, partly driven by its AI platform known as the Zone. ADP Assist agents launched in January 2026 and are now accessible to nearly all of the company's more than 1.1 million clients, with 3.1 million unique active users holding 12 million conversations during fiscal 2026. The Zone reached 48% of the company's service population by year-end, ahead of target, and associates using it performed 96% of their service work on the platform. ADP's Lyric enterprise product posted a 94% year-over-year increase in live clients and a 50% improvement in pipeline, with new logos contributing 70% of opportunities. ADP currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
ADP · Demand · Positive ADP's Employer Services bookings rose 6% to $2.2B with 4-7% growth guided for fiscal 2027, driven by AI platform Zone adoption and Lyric enterprise client growth.
Paychex Q1 Revenue Rises 5.9% to $1.63 Billion, Beats Estimates
Paychex reported revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter ended August 2026, up 5.9% from a year earlier and a surprise of +0.76% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62 billion. EPS came in at $1.34 versus $1.22 in the year-ago quarter, a +0.75% surprise against the consensus estimate of $1.33. Within the top line, Management Solutions revenue was $1.21 billion, up 4.3% year over year but just below the five-analyst average estimate of $1.22 billion, while PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue rose 11.7% to $367.6 million, topping the $352.39 million average estimate. Total service revenue was $1.58 billion against a $1.57 billion average estimate, and interest on funds held for clients came in at $49.8 million versus $47.17 million estimated, a 4.6% year-over-year change. Average interest rates earned on funds held for clients were 3.7% versus 3.4% estimated, and the average investment balance for corporate cash equivalents and investments was $1.24 billion versus $1.6 billion estimated. Shares of Paychex have returned -8.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.3% change, and the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Paychex reported quarterly earnings of $1.34 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33 per share and up from $1.22 per share a year ago. The result marked an earnings surprise of +0.75%, and the payroll processor and human-resources services provider has now surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times over the last four quarters. Revenue for the quarter ended August 2026 came in at $1.63 billion, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.76% and up from $1.54 billion a year earlier, with the company also beating consensus revenue estimates four times in the last four quarters. Ahead of the release, the estimate revisions trend for Paychex was mixed, translating into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.36 on $1.65 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.96 on $6.85 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Paychex Set to Report Fiscal Q1 2027 Results on September 23
Paychex is scheduled to report fiscal first-quarter 2027 results on September 23, following a fiscal 2026 in which revenue rose 17% to $6.51 billion and adjusted diluted EPS increased 11% to $5.51. For fiscal 2027, the company expects Management Solutions revenue to increase 5% to 6%, with total revenue growth slowing from 17% to that 5% to 6% range, though the Paycor acquisition contributed approximately 12 percentage points to fiscal 2026 total revenue growth and 15 percentage points to Management Solutions revenue growth, making the underlying comparison much closer. Adjusted EPS growth is projected at 7% to 9%, below the 11% increase delivered in fiscal 2026, and Paychex expects interest earned on funds held for clients to fall to $195 million to $205 million in fiscal 2027 from $210.9 million in fiscal 2026, while fiscal 2026 interest expense rose to $269.5 million from $105.4 million, primarily due to debt used to finance the Paycor acquisition. The company's latest labor-market data showed the Small Business Jobs Index at 99.13 in August, roughly in line with the 2026 year-to-date average, with weekly hours worked up for a sixth consecutive month, hourly earnings up 2.89% and weekly earnings up 3%, drawn from payroll data covering approximately 350,000 Paychex clients with fewer than 50 employees. As of August 31, approximately 5.8% to 6.4% of Paychex's float was sold short, and 40 hedge funds held the stock in the second quarter, down from 43 in the prior quarter, with Millennium Management becoming the biggest shareholder after increasing its position by 106% to approximately 2.33 million shares.
PAYX · Capital · Negative Paychex guides fiscal 2027 revenue growth to slow to 5-6% and adjusted EPS growth to 7-9%, below fiscal 2026's 11%, with client-funds interest income also declining.
Experis: U.S. Tech Hiring Outlook Falls to 37% for Q4
The U.S. tech Net Employment Outlook fell to 37% for the fourth quarter of 2026, down 10 points from both the previous quarter and the same period last year, according to the latest Tech Talent Outlook from Experis, part of the ManpowerGroup family of brands. Despite the moderation, 53% of U.S. tech employers plan to increase staffing levels in Q4, 30% expect to maintain current workforce levels and 16% anticipate reductions, with business growth the most commonly cited reason among those adding staff. The U.S. reading is in line with the global tech average of 37%. Human skills led the most sought-after capabilities, with Professionalism and Work Ethic at 44%, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving at 39%, Adaptability and Willingness to Learn at 37% and Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork at 35%, while AI Literacy topped technical skills at 34%, followed by AI Modeling and App Development at 33% and Traditional IT and Data skills excluding AI at 29%. Kye Mitchell, President of Experis U.S., said U.S. tech hiring is moderating but the market is getting more deliberate rather than pulling back, and that employers are building talent from within, expanding talent pools and using multiple strategies. The research is based on responses from 4,258 Tech and IT Services sector employers across 42 countries in ManpowerGroup's Employment Outlook Survey, with fourth-quarter data collected between July 1 and 31, 2026; the next report, covering Q1 2027 hiring expectations, will be released in December 2026.
MAN · Demand · Negative Experis (ManpowerGroup brand) reports U.S. tech Net Employment Outlook fell to 37% for Q4, down 10 points QoQ and YoY, signaling weaker demand for its staffing services.
Paychex is scheduled to report its earnings on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with a current market capitalization of $41 billion. Over the last twelve months the company generated $6.5 billion in revenue, $2.5 billion in operating profits, and $1.8 billion in net income. Across 20 earnings data points over the past five years, Paychex posted positive one-day post-earnings returns 11 times, or about 55% of the time, a figure that falls to 50% over the last three years, with a median positive return of 3.6% and a median negative return of -2.3%. The article also notes that the 1D to 21D return correlation is the strongest and negative, at -49.0% over five years and -44.4% over three years, and that Paychex's one-day post-earnings returns showed a 29.2% correlation with those of peer INTU.
PAYX · Capital · Neutral Paychex is the subject, but the article only previews its upcoming September 23, 2026 earnings report with historical stats and no actual result or new development.
Kanzhun Declares US$230 Million Annual Dividend, Total Shareholder Returns Top 100% of Prior-Year Adjusted Net Income
KANZHUN LIMITED, the Chinese online recruitment platform known as BOSS Zhipin, announced an annual cash dividend of US$0.255 per ordinary share, or US$0.510 per ADS, under its annual dividend policy. The aggregate dividend will total approximately US$230 million, funded by surplus cash on the Company's balance sheet, with a record date of September 28, 2026, an ex-dividend date of September 25, 2026 for ordinary shares in Hong Kong and September 28, 2026 for ADSs, and payment expected on October 6, 2026 for ordinary shareholders and on or around October 14, 2026 for ADS holders. Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Peng Zhao said the dividend, together with over US$300 million of share repurchases completed year-to-date, brings total shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks this year to more than 100% of the prior year's adjusted net income. Deputy Chief Financial Officer Wenbei Wang said the Company remains firmly committed to shareholder returns, supported by healthy cash flow and ample cash reserves.
2076.HK · Capital · Positive Kanzhun declares a US$230M annual dividend and, with over US$300M of buybacks, total shareholder returns exceed 100% of prior-year adjusted net income.
Paychex Q3 Earnings Preview: Revenue Growth Expected to Slow to 5.7%
Paychex will report third-quarter earnings Wednesday before market hours, with the market expecting revenue to grow 5.7% year on year, a slowdown from the 16.8% increase recorded in the same quarter last year. Last quarter, the human capital management company reported revenues of $1.61 billion, up 12.5% year on year, meeting analysts' revenue expectations and posting a decent beat of analysts' adjusted operating income estimates. Analysts covering the company have generally reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days, suggesting they anticipate the business will stay the course heading into earnings, though Paychex has missed Wall Street's revenue estimates multiple times over the last two years. As the first among its peers to report earnings this season, Paychex offers no read-through from other finance and hr software stocks, but investor sentiment in the segment has been positive, with share prices up 2.4% on average over the last month while Paychex is down 8.8% during the same time.
PAYX · Capital · Neutral Paychex is the subject of the Q3 earnings preview, with expected revenue growth slowing to 5.7% and a history of missing revenue estimates, but no actual result yet.
Paychex Set to Report Q1 Fiscal 2027 Results on Sept. 23
Paychex is scheduled to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Sept. 23, 2026, before market open, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings pinned at $1.33 per share, a 9% gain from the year-ago quarter's reported figure. The consensus estimate for first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues is set at $1.6 billion, suggesting a 5.1% uptick from the year-ago quarter. Paychex beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in four preceding quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 1.3%. The company has said it aims to raise the top line by increasing revenue per client rather than relying heavily on client-base expansion, with price realization and product penetration cited as vital drivers, while Paycor-related cross-selling and revenue synergies were flagged by CFO Robert Schrader on the fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call. Paychex currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3, a combination the model does not use to conclusively predict an earnings beat.
PAYX · Capital · Neutral Paychex is the subject, with Q1 FY2027 results scheduled Sept. 23 and consensus EPS of $1.33 (+9%) and revenue of $1.6B (+5.1%), but no actual results yet.
Wall Street analysts expect Paychex to report quarterly earnings of $1.33 per share in its upcoming report, a year-over-year increase of 9%, on revenues of $1.62 billion, up 5.1% from the year-ago quarter. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised downward by 0.3%. Within the revenue breakdown, analysts project Management Solutions revenue of $1.22 billion, up 5.1%, and PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue of $353.39 million, up 7.4%, while total service revenue is expected to reach $1.58 billion, up 5.6%, and interest on funds held for clients is seen at $47.17 million, down 0.9%. Analysts also forecast average interest rates earned on funds held for clients of 3.3% versus 3.5% a year ago, and 3.6% on corporate cash equivalents and investments versus 4.2%. Over the past month, Paychex shares have returned -5.2% against the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.3% change, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
September 17 Earnings and News Roundup: Apple International Raises Ordinary Profit Forecast by 18%
Disclosure filings released after the September 17 market close produced a full slate of positive and negative developments relevant to investment decisions. On the positive side, Apple International raised its ordinary profit forecast for the current fiscal year by 18% and increased its dividend by 5 yen; Choshimaru reversed its current-year ordinary profit outlook to a 21% increase, projecting a record high for the first time in three terms along with a 1 yen dividend hike; Kasumigaseki Capital raised its prior-year ordinary profit forecast by 7%, adding to its record-high projection; and Hobonichi raised its prior-year ordinary profit forecast by 67%. In M&A, Saint Marc Holdings will take over the udon specialty restaurant business Tsurutontan from K Express for 12.8 billion yen, while B-style Holdings will acquire all shares of HR Asocié for 1.21 billion yen, making it a subsidiary. Ferrotec will launch a tender offer for Japan Resistor Manufacturing at 1,901 yen per share, a 49.1% premium to the September 17 closing price, aiming to make it a wholly owned subsidiary, while Nippon Seiki will buy back up to 3.61 million shares, or 6.27% of its outstanding shares, for a maximum of 9.979 billion yen. On the negative side, Chubu Steel Plate reversed its current-year ordinary profit outlook to a 46% decline; PharmaRise Holdings ended the June-August quarter with a 31% drop in ordinary profit; Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corporation is expected to post a 2% decline in current-year ordinary profit; Advance Residence Investment Corporation a 6% decline; and Ichigo Hotel REIT Investment Corporation an 18% decline.
2788.JP · Capital · Positive Apple International raised its ordinary profit forecast for the current fiscal year by 18% and increased its dividend by 5 yen.
302A.JP · Capital · Positive B-style Holdings will acquire all shares of HR Asocié for 1.21 billion yen, making it a subsidiary.
3075.JP · Capital · Positive Choshimaru reversed its current-year ordinary profit outlook to a 21% increase, projecting a record high, with a 1 yen dividend hike.
3269.JP · Capital · Negative Advance Residence Investment Corporation is expected to post a 6% decline in current-year ordinary profit.
3395.JP · Capital · Positive Saint Marc Holdings will take over the udon specialty restaurant business Tsurutontan from K Express for 12.8 billion yen.
3498.JP · Capital · Positive Kasumigaseki Capital raised its prior-year ordinary profit forecast by 7%, adding to its record-high projection.
SK Hynix, Intel Rise on Reported U.S. Memory Chip Talks; J.B. Hunt Warns on Q3 Earnings
SK Hynix and Intel shares each rose more than 2.5% premarket after a Reuters report that SK Hynix was in talks with Intel to manufacture memory chips in the U.S. for the first time, though SK Hynix said no decisions have been made regarding any partnership with Intel. J.B. Hunt Transport Services tumbled more than 11% after warning that its earnings may fall between 5% and 10% in the third quarter compared to the previous three-month period, a decline it attributed to internal adjustments for rising rates of purchase transportation. Expedia fell more than 2.5% after Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to underweight, citing a weak risk/reward profile and greater exposure to a potentially weaker consumer. Energy stocks moved lower as U.S. oil prices fell 2% following a report that energy inventories rose last week, with Diamondback Energy down almost 4%, Occidental Petroleum off 1%, and ExxonMobil and Devon Energy each down almost 1%. Paychex rose more than 1% on a Wolfe Research upgrade to peer perform, while Union Pacific gained 1.5% after UBS upgraded the stock to buy.
000660.KO · Demand · Positive SK Hynix is in talks with Intel to manufacture memory chips in the U.S. for the first time, a potential new production/customer arrangement.
EXPE · Capital · Negative Morgan Stanley downgraded Expedia to underweight on weak risk/reward and consumer exposure.
JBHT · Capital · Negative J.B. Hunt warned Q3 earnings may fall 5-10% on rising purchase transportation costs.
PAYX · Capital · Positive Wolfe Research upgraded Paychex to peer perform.
UNP · Capital · Positive UBS upgraded Union Pacific to buy.
INTC · Demand · Positive Reported talks for SK Hynix to manufacture memory chips in the U.S. with Intel, though no decisions made.
Adecco Group Rolls Out Salesforce Agentforce Coworker Across 40 Plus Countries
The Adecco Group announced the global rollout of Salesforce's Agentforce Coworker across 40 plus countries, following a successful pilot in the UK and France. The enterprise AI teammate, embedded directly in the platform and powered by Anthropic's Claude, supports work across sales, recruitment and client and candidate engagement workflows. The rollout extends agentic AI infrastructure into the daily workflows of 27,000 employees, building on an unlimited Agentforce 360 enterprise agreement with Salesforce; the company has already deployed agentic AI across recruitment workflows in ten countries, representing 50% of Adecco business revenues. Coworker will also draw on context from more than 2.5 million agent-candidate interactions since April 2025. CEO Denis Machuel will join Salesforce chair and CEO Marc Benioff, alongside the CEOs of Anthropic, NVIDIA and Siemens, at the main Dreamforce keynote to discuss human-centric AI, saying the rollout gives teams a single interface that knows candidate history and client context for the moment when human judgment matters most.
ADEN.SW · Technology · Positive Adecco deploys Salesforce's Agentforce Coworker AI teammate across 40+ countries, embedding agentic AI into workflows of 27,000 employees.
CRM · Demand · Positive Adecco Group rolls out Salesforce's Agentforce Coworker across 40+ countries, expanding adoption of Salesforce's AI product.
ADP Data Shows U.S. Private Employers Added 16,250 Jobs a Week in Late August
U.S. private employers added an average of 16,250 jobs per week for the four weeks ending August 29, 2026, according to the preliminary NER Pulse estimate released by ADP Research. The reading marks the second consecutive weekly increase in hiring, up from 12,250 for the four weeks ending August 22 and 10,000 for the period ending August 15. The NER Pulse is a weekly update of the monthly ADP National Employment Report, based on ADP's high-frequency data, seasonally adjusted with a two-week lag, and the figures are preliminary and subject to change as new data arrives. The report is produced by ADP Research in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, and the next NER Pulse is scheduled for release on September 22, 2026.
ADP · Demand · Positive ADP's own NER Pulse report shows private hiring accelerating for a second straight week, boosting demand for its employment-data services.
TriNet declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share, in line with its previous payout. The forward yield on the dividend is 1.69%. The ex-dividend date is Oct. 1. The payable date and the record date were not disclosed.
Paycom Leads HR Software Q2 as Paylocity, Paychex, Asure Report
Paycom posted the strongest quarter among the four HR software stocks tracked, reporting revenues of $531.2 million, up 9.8% year on year and 3.5% above analysts' expectations, with full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding estimates and a solid beat on billings. Paylocity reported revenues of $444.7 million, up 11% year on year and 3.1% ahead of expectations, delivering the highest guidance raise of the group, though its stock is down 1.1% since reporting and trades at $141.75. Asure Software reported revenues of $37.11 million, up 23.2% year on year and in line with expectations, but posted a significant miss on billings estimates and the weakest guidance update in the group, with its stock flat at $8.44. Paychex reported revenues of $1.61 billion, up 12.5% year on year and in line with expectations, with a decent beat on adjusted operating income estimates, and its stock is up 18.2% since reporting at $115.83. As a group, the four HR software stocks beat consensus revenue estimates by 1.7%, next quarter's revenue guidance came in line, and share prices are up 10.8% on average since the latest earnings results, with Paycom up 25.3% to $218.96.
ASUR · Capital · Negative Asure posted a significant miss on billings estimates and the weakest guidance update in the group despite in-line revenue.
PAYC · Capital · Positive Paycom posted the strongest quarter of the group, beating revenue and billings estimates with full-year EBITDA guidance above estimates.
PAYX · Capital · Positive Paychex reported 12.5% revenue growth in line with expectations and a decent beat on adjusted operating income estimates.
PCTY · Capital · Positive Paylocity beat revenue expectations by 3.1% and delivered the highest guidance raise of the group.
Recruit Holdings Q1 Operating Profit of 255.4 Billion Yen for Fiscal Year Ending March 2027; Full-Year Forecast Raised 20% to 945 Billion Yen
Recruit Holdings announced its first-quarter results for the fiscal year ending March 2027, posting revenue of 1.0453 trillion yen, operating profit of 255.4 billion yen, and net profit of 202.6 billion yen. Its full-year operating profit forecast was raised by 158 billion yen, or 20%, from 787 billion yen to 945 billion yen; the revenue forecast was also revised upward from 4.03 trillion yen to 4.23 trillion yen, and the net profit forecast from 623 billion yen to 755 billion yen. The earnings-per-share forecast was also lifted from 447 yen to 543 yen. First-quarter operating profit represents 27.0% progress toward the full-year forecast of 945 billion yen, exceeding the 25% mark that a simple four-way split would suggest. Meanwhile, the stock closed at 15,500 yen on September 11, down just over 2% from the previous trading day and roughly 16% below the 18,215 yen seen on August 31.
6098.JP · Capital · Positive Recruit Holdings posted Q1 operating profit of 255.4 billion yen and raised its full-year operating profit forecast 20% to 945 billion yen.
Korn Ferry Completes £850 Million Acquisition of UK-Based AMS
Korn Ferry completed its £850 million acquisition of UK-based AMS from OMERS Private Equity on September 1. The deal combines two well-reputed brands into a leading business within the global talent and organizational consulting space, giving Korn Ferry broader market reach and coverage spanning several new industries. At closing, Korn Ferry paid approximately £473 million and $326 million in cash, covering consideration to the sellers, repayment of AMS indebtedness and other transaction obligations, and issued 3,118,628 Korn Ferry shares to the sellers, financed through a mix of existing cash, share issuance and borrowings. The acquisition extends Korn Ferry's growth trajectory, which included a sixth consecutive quarter of topline growth and 9% growth in adjusted diluted EPS of $1.43 in its recently announced first quarter results. The deal carries liquidity constraints from the significant cash outflow and dilution risk from the new shares issued, while retaining AMS's long-term client agreements depends on sustaining service standards through the transition.
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