← Paycom Software overview

Paycom Software vs Autodesk: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

Paycom's Q2 Beat and Raised Outlook Drive a Sharp Rebound

  • Q2 earnings beat and raised guidance Paycom reported Q2 revenue of $531.2 million, beating estimates by 3.5%, and adjusted EPS of $2.78, well above the $2.38 expected. Management raised full-year revenue guidance to about $2.20 billion and issued EBITDA guidance above consensus. The stock jumped sharply on the news, as the results showed the business is growing faster and more profitably than Wall Street feared.

    This is the main new event that directly answers why PAYC is moving right now.

  • Profit margins expanded significantly Paycom's operating margin expanded to 31.7% from 23.2% a year earlier, and adjusted EBITDA of $235 million topped forecasts by over 10%. Billings rose 9.4% year over year. This shows the company is not just growing sales but keeping much more of each dollar as profit, which supports a higher stock price.

    Margin expansion is a key new fundamental driver behind the positive price reaction.

  • Fed rate-hike signals pressured software stocks In mid-June, the Federal Reserve removed expectations of a 2026 rate cut and introduced the possibility of a hike, pushing up Treasury yields. That lowers the present value of future profits for software companies like Paycom, whose value depends heavily on earnings years away. Paycom shares fell on that news, part of a broader rotation out of high-multiple growth stocks.

    This explains the negative pressure on PAYC earlier in the period and remains a real counterweight.

  • Weaker growth than HR software peers In a June peer comparison, Paycom's revenue growth of 7.8% was the slowest among major HR software companies, and its results were the weakest relative to estimates. Paylocity and Paychex posted stronger growth and beat estimates by wider margins. This competitive gap is a concern that can hold back Paycom's stock even after a good quarter.

    It provides a fair counterweight by showing Paycom still lags some competitors on growth.

July 2026
▲2▼2

Paycom's Q2 Beat and Raised Outlook Drive a Sharp Rebound

  • Q2 earnings beat and raised guidance Paycom reported Q2 revenue of $531.2 million, beating estimates by 3.5%, and adjusted EPS of $2.78, well above the $2.38 expected. Management raised full-year revenue guidance to about $2.20 billion and issued EBITDA guidance above consensus. The stock jumped sharply on the news, as the results showed the business is growing faster and more profitably than Wall Street feared.

    This is the main new event that directly answers why PAYC is moving right now.

  • Profit margins expanded significantly Paycom's operating margin expanded to 31.7% from 23.2% a year earlier, and adjusted EBITDA of $235 million topped forecasts by over 10%. Billings rose 9.4% year over year. This shows the company is not just growing sales but keeping much more of each dollar as profit, which supports a higher stock price.

    Margin expansion is a key new fundamental driver behind the positive price reaction.

  • Fed rate-hike signals pressured software stocks In mid-June, the Federal Reserve removed expectations of a 2026 rate cut and introduced the possibility of a hike, pushing up Treasury yields. That lowers the present value of future profits for software companies like Paycom, whose value depends heavily on earnings years away. Paycom shares fell on that news, part of a broader rotation out of high-multiple growth stocks.

    This explains the negative pressure on PAYC earlier in the period and remains a real counterweight.

  • Weaker growth than HR software peers In a June peer comparison, Paycom's revenue growth of 7.8% was the slowest among major HR software companies, and its results were the weakest relative to estimates. Paylocity and Paychex posted stronger growth and beat estimates by wider margins. This competitive gap is a concern that can hold back Paycom's stock even after a good quarter.

    It provides a fair counterweight by showing Paycom still lags some competitors on growth.

Latest
▲2▼2

Paycom's Q2 Beat and Raised Outlook Drive a Sharp Rebound

  • Q2 earnings beat and raised guidance Paycom reported Q2 revenue of $531.2 million, beating estimates by 3.5%, and adjusted EPS of $2.78, well above the $2.38 expected. Management raised full-year revenue guidance to about $2.20 billion and issued EBITDA guidance above consensus. The stock jumped sharply on the news, as the results showed the business is growing faster and more profitably than Wall Street feared.

    This is the main new event that directly answers why PAYC is moving right now.

  • Profit margins expanded significantly Paycom's operating margin expanded to 31.7% from 23.2% a year earlier, and adjusted EBITDA of $235 million topped forecasts by over 10%. Billings rose 9.4% year over year. This shows the company is not just growing sales but keeping much more of each dollar as profit, which supports a higher stock price.

    Margin expansion is a key new fundamental driver behind the positive price reaction.

  • Fed rate-hike signals pressured software stocks In mid-June, the Federal Reserve removed expectations of a 2026 rate cut and introduced the possibility of a hike, pushing up Treasury yields. That lowers the present value of future profits for software companies like Paycom, whose value depends heavily on earnings years away. Paycom shares fell on that news, part of a broader rotation out of high-multiple growth stocks.

    This explains the negative pressure on PAYC earlier in the period and remains a real counterweight.

  • Weaker growth than HR software peers In a June peer comparison, Paycom's revenue growth of 7.8% was the slowest among major HR software companies, and its results were the weakest relative to estimates. Paylocity and Paychex posted stronger growth and beat estimates by wider margins. This competitive gap is a concern that can hold back Paycom's stock even after a good quarter.

    It provides a fair counterweight by showing Paycom still lags some competitors on growth.

Autodesk Inc (ADSK)

Q3 2026
▲2▼1

Autodesk's MaintainX Deal Cleared, but Soft Profit Outlook Weighs on Shares

  • FTC clears MaintainX acquisition The FTC granted early termination of the waiting period for Autodesk's $3.6 billion cash acquisition of MaintainX, removing a key regulatory hurdle. This clears the path for the deal to close, which should strengthen Autodesk's operations software business and support future growth.

    This is a new, concrete regulatory milestone that directly affects the acquisition's completion and investor confidence.

  • Soft Q3 and full-year profit guidance Autodesk guided third-quarter adjusted EPS to $3.04–$3.09, below the $3.14 consensus, and full-year EPS midpoint also trailed forecasts. The company narrowed free cash flow guidance due to MaintainX acquisition costs. This profit warning is the main reason the stock fell sharply after earnings.

    This is the primary new negative driver that explains the stock's recent decline and investor concerns about near-term profitability.

  • Q2 beat and raised revenue outlook Autodesk reported second-quarter revenue of $2.05 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.30, both beating estimates, and raised full-year revenue guidance to $8.32 billion at the midpoint. Strong demand in construction, emerging markets, and the Fusion manufacturing platform drove the beat, showing the core business remains healthy.

    This new positive fundamental result provides a counterweight to the soft guidance and shows underlying demand strength.

  • AI and acquisition costs cloud outlook Despite strong cash flow and revenue growth, investors worry that the $3.6 billion MaintainX deal and general-purpose AI could squeeze Autodesk's platform. The stock trades well below its GF Value estimate, reflecting skepticism about whether the acquisition will create durable value faster than costs rise.

    This captures the key investor debate that is driving sentiment and the stock's valuation discount.

August 2026
▲2▼1

Autodesk's MaintainX Deal Cleared, but Soft Profit Outlook Weighs on Shares

  • FTC clears MaintainX acquisition The FTC granted early termination of the waiting period for Autodesk's $3.6 billion cash acquisition of MaintainX, removing a key regulatory hurdle. This clears the path for the deal to close, which should strengthen Autodesk's operations software business and support future growth.

    This is a new, concrete regulatory milestone that directly affects the acquisition's completion and investor confidence.

  • Soft Q3 and full-year profit guidance Autodesk guided third-quarter adjusted EPS to $3.04–$3.09, below the $3.14 consensus, and full-year EPS midpoint also trailed forecasts. The company narrowed free cash flow guidance due to MaintainX acquisition costs. This profit warning is the main reason the stock fell sharply after earnings.

    This is the primary new negative driver that explains the stock's recent decline and investor concerns about near-term profitability.

  • Q2 beat and raised revenue outlook Autodesk reported second-quarter revenue of $2.05 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.30, both beating estimates, and raised full-year revenue guidance to $8.32 billion at the midpoint. Strong demand in construction, emerging markets, and the Fusion manufacturing platform drove the beat, showing the core business remains healthy.

    This new positive fundamental result provides a counterweight to the soft guidance and shows underlying demand strength.

  • AI and acquisition costs cloud outlook Despite strong cash flow and revenue growth, investors worry that the $3.6 billion MaintainX deal and general-purpose AI could squeeze Autodesk's platform. The stock trades well below its GF Value estimate, reflecting skepticism about whether the acquisition will create durable value faster than costs rise.

    This captures the key investor debate that is driving sentiment and the stock's valuation discount.

Latest
▲2▼1

Autodesk's MaintainX Deal Cleared, but Soft Profit Outlook Weighs on Shares

  • FTC clears MaintainX acquisition The FTC granted early termination of the waiting period for Autodesk's $3.6 billion cash acquisition of MaintainX, removing a key regulatory hurdle. This clears the path for the deal to close, which should strengthen Autodesk's operations software business and support future growth.

    This is a new, concrete regulatory milestone that directly affects the acquisition's completion and investor confidence.

  • Soft Q3 and full-year profit guidance Autodesk guided third-quarter adjusted EPS to $3.04–$3.09, below the $3.14 consensus, and full-year EPS midpoint also trailed forecasts. The company narrowed free cash flow guidance due to MaintainX acquisition costs. This profit warning is the main reason the stock fell sharply after earnings.

    This is the primary new negative driver that explains the stock's recent decline and investor concerns about near-term profitability.

  • Q2 beat and raised revenue outlook Autodesk reported second-quarter revenue of $2.05 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.30, both beating estimates, and raised full-year revenue guidance to $8.32 billion at the midpoint. Strong demand in construction, emerging markets, and the Fusion manufacturing platform drove the beat, showing the core business remains healthy.

    This new positive fundamental result provides a counterweight to the soft guidance and shows underlying demand strength.

  • AI and acquisition costs cloud outlook Despite strong cash flow and revenue growth, investors worry that the $3.6 billion MaintainX deal and general-purpose AI could squeeze Autodesk's platform. The stock trades well below its GF Value estimate, reflecting skepticism about whether the acquisition will create durable value faster than costs rise.

    This captures the key investor debate that is driving sentiment and the stock's valuation discount.

Q2 2026
▲1▼1

Autodesk's weak guidance and costly MaintainX deal weigh on shares

  • Weak full-year guidance triggers sharp selloff Autodesk beat quarterly revenue expectations, but its full-year guidance update was the weakest among design software peers. Investors punished the stock, sending it down about 19% — a sign that future growth expectations, not past results, are driving the price.

    This is the main reason ADSK fell sharply this period and explains the negative price move.

  • Financing secured for $3.6 billion MaintainX acquisition Autodesk amended credit agreements to fund its all-cash purchase of MaintainX, expanding its credit line and adding a term loan. The deal broadens its reach into maintenance data, but taking on debt and paying a high price raises questions about growth and profit margins.

    The acquisition is a major capital allocation decision that affects ADSK's balance sheet and future growth prospects.

  • Analysts trim fair value and price targets Analysts slightly lowered their fair value estimate for Autodesk after the earnings beat and MaintainX deal. Most kept positive ratings but cut price targets, citing solid results but also slowing core business growth and uncertainty over the acquisition's impact on margins.

    Analyst revisions reflect the market's mixed view and influence investor expectations for ADSK's price.

  • $350 million AI upskilling initiative Autodesk committed $350 million to train nearly one million people in AI-powered design and manufacturing, targeting 60 million students and educators. This long-term investment aims to build future demand for its software, though the payoff will take years.

    This new initiative could support future demand and shows Autodesk's strategic focus on AI, a positive for long-term growth.

June 2026
▲1▼1

Autodesk's weak guidance and costly MaintainX deal weigh on shares

  • Weak full-year guidance triggers sharp selloff Autodesk beat quarterly revenue expectations, but its full-year guidance update was the weakest among design software peers. Investors punished the stock, sending it down about 19% — a sign that future growth expectations, not past results, are driving the price.

    This is the main reason ADSK fell sharply this period and explains the negative price move.

  • Financing secured for $3.6 billion MaintainX acquisition Autodesk amended credit agreements to fund its all-cash purchase of MaintainX, expanding its credit line and adding a term loan. The deal broadens its reach into maintenance data, but taking on debt and paying a high price raises questions about growth and profit margins.

    The acquisition is a major capital allocation decision that affects ADSK's balance sheet and future growth prospects.

  • Analysts trim fair value and price targets Analysts slightly lowered their fair value estimate for Autodesk after the earnings beat and MaintainX deal. Most kept positive ratings but cut price targets, citing solid results but also slowing core business growth and uncertainty over the acquisition's impact on margins.

    Analyst revisions reflect the market's mixed view and influence investor expectations for ADSK's price.

  • $350 million AI upskilling initiative Autodesk committed $350 million to train nearly one million people in AI-powered design and manufacturing, targeting 60 million students and educators. This long-term investment aims to build future demand for its software, though the payoff will take years.

    This new initiative could support future demand and shows Autodesk's strategic focus on AI, a positive for long-term growth.

▲1▼1

Autodesk's weak guidance and costly MaintainX deal weigh on shares

  • Weak full-year guidance triggers sharp selloff Autodesk beat quarterly revenue expectations, but its full-year guidance update was the weakest among design software peers. Investors punished the stock, sending it down about 19% — a sign that future growth expectations, not past results, are driving the price.

    This is the main reason ADSK fell sharply this period and explains the negative price move.

  • Financing secured for $3.6 billion MaintainX acquisition Autodesk amended credit agreements to fund its all-cash purchase of MaintainX, expanding its credit line and adding a term loan. The deal broadens its reach into maintenance data, but taking on debt and paying a high price raises questions about growth and profit margins.

    The acquisition is a major capital allocation decision that affects ADSK's balance sheet and future growth prospects.

  • Analysts trim fair value and price targets Analysts slightly lowered their fair value estimate for Autodesk after the earnings beat and MaintainX deal. Most kept positive ratings but cut price targets, citing solid results but also slowing core business growth and uncertainty over the acquisition's impact on margins.

    Analyst revisions reflect the market's mixed view and influence investor expectations for ADSK's price.

  • $350 million AI upskilling initiative Autodesk committed $350 million to train nearly one million people in AI-powered design and manufacturing, targeting 60 million students and educators. This long-term investment aims to build future demand for its software, though the payoff will take years.

    This new initiative could support future demand and shows Autodesk's strategic focus on AI, a positive for long-term growth.

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