Should Investors Be Happy About Paycom Software, Inc.’s (NYSE:PAYC) Cash Levels?
Two important questions to ask before you buy Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC) is, how it makes money and how it spends its cash. This difference directly flows down to how much the stock is worth. Operating in the industry, PAYC is currently valued at US$7.7b. Today we will examine PAYC’s ability to generate cash flows, as well as the level of capital expenditure it is expected to incur over the next couple of years, which will result in how much money goes to you.
See our latest analysis for Paycom Software
What is Paycom Software’s cash yield?
Paycom Software’s free cash flow (FCF) is the level of cash flow the business generates from its operational activities, after it reinvests in the company as capital expenditure. This type of expense is needed for Paycom Software to continue to grow, or at least, maintain its current operations.
There are two methods I will use to evaluate the quality of Paycom Software’s FCF: firstly, I will measure its FCF yield relative to the market index yield; secondly, I will examine whether its operating cash flow will continue to grow into the future, which will give us a sense of sustainability.
Free Cash Flow = Operating Cash Flows – Net Capital Expenditure
Free Cash Flow Yield = Free Cash Flow / Enterprise Value
where Enterprise Value = Market Capitalisation + Net Debt
Along with a positive operating cash flow, Paycom Software also generates a positive free cash flow. However, the yield of 0.74% is not sufficient to compensate for the level of risk investors are taking on. This is because Paycom Software’s yield is well-below the market yield, in addition to serving higher risk compared to the well-diversified market index.
Does Paycom Software have a favourable cash flow trend?
Does PAYC’s future look brighter in terms of its ability to generate higher operating cash flows? This can be estimated by examining the trend of the company’s operating cash flow moving forward. In the next couple of years, the company is expected to grow its cash from operations at a double-digit rate of 39%, ramping up from its current levels of US$184m to US$256m in two years’ time. Furthermore, breaking down growth into a year on year basis, PAYC is able to increase its growth rate each year, from 15% next year, to 21% in the following year. The overall picture seems encouraging, should capital expenditure levels maintain at an appropriate level.
Next Steps:
The company’s low yield relative to the market index means you are taking on more risk holding the single-stock Paycom Software as opposed to the diversified market portfolio, and being compensated for less. Though the high operating cash flow growth in the future could change this. Keep in mind that cash is only one aspect of investment analysis and there are other important fundamentals to assess. I recommend you continue to research Paycom Software to get a better picture of the company by looking at:
Valuation: What is PAYC worth today? Is the stock undervalued, even when its growth outlook is factored into its intrinsic value? The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether PAYC is currently mispriced by the market.
Management Team: An experienced management team on the helm increases our confidence in the business – take a look at who sits on Paycom Software’s board and the CEO’s back ground.
Other High-Performing Stocks: If you believe you should cushion your portfolio with something less risky, scroll through our free list of these great stocks here.
To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements.
The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
