PA

Paychex, Inc. stock research

Feb 28, 2023

FY2023 Q3

Paychex (PAYX) Gross Margin — Quarter Ended Feb 28, 2023

Revenue and cost of revenue both increased compared to the prior quarter, but gross profit rose more than cost, resulting in an improved gross margin. Relative to the same quarter last year, revenue was similar while cost of revenue was higher, yet gross profit increased, leading to a slightly higher gross margin.

Gross margin takeaway

Quarter ended Feb 28, 2023 · FY2023 Q3

Revenue and cost of revenue both increased compared to the prior quarter, but gross profit rose more than cost, resulting in an improved gross margin. Relative to the same quarter last year, revenue was similar while cost of revenue was higher, yet gross profit increased, leading to a slightly higher gross margin.

  • The sequential improvement in gross margin from the prior quarter is the strongest observable driver, as gross profit increased more than cost of revenue.
  • Compared to the prior quarter, revenue, cost of revenue, and gross profit were all higher, and gross margin improved. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue was stable, cost of revenue was higher, gross profit was higher, and gross margin was slightly higher.

Gross margin snapshot

The selected quarter's reported revenue, gross profit, direct costs, and margin comparisons.

Gross margin

72.3%

Gross profit

$972.8M

Revenue

$1.3B

Cost of revenue

$372.9M

Quarter-over-quarter change

n/a

Year-over-year change

+0.2 pts

Quarterly gross margin trend

A four-quarter view of the revenue and direct-cost bridge behind gross margin.

PeriodRevenueGross profitCost of revenueGross margin
Feb 28, 2023$1.3B$972.8M$372.9M72.3%

Quarterly comparisons

Compare the selected margin with the preceding quarter and the same fiscal quarter one year earlier.

Previous-quarter change

Previous quarter unavailable

n/a

Year-over-year change

Feb 28, 2022

+0.2 pts

What the margin says

Filing-constrained interpretation of margin direction, comparisons, and what to monitor next.

The sequential improvement in gross margin from the prior quarter is the strongest observable driver, as gross profit increased more than cost of revenue.

Compared to the prior quarter, revenue, cost of revenue, and gross profit were all higher, and gross margin improved. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue was stable, cost of revenue was higher, gross profit was higher, and gross margin was slightly higher.

Monitor the company's liquidity and capital resources, including its standby letters of credit and senior notes, as discussed in the filing.