UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________
FORM 8-K
____________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 14, 2025
____________________________
Paychex, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 0-11330 | 16-1124166 |
| (State or other jurisdiction | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer |
| of incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
| 911 Panorama Trail South Rochester, New York |
14625-2396 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (585) 385-6666
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Common Stock, $0.01 par value | PAYX | Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
As previously disclosed, on January 7, 2025, Paychex, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Paychex”), Skyline Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Paychex (“Merger Sub”), and Paycor HCM, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Paycor”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”).
On April 14, 2025, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Paycor (the “Merger”), with Paycor continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Paychex.
At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, each share of Paycor common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Paycor Stock”) (other than (i) shares of Paycor Stock held by Paycor as treasury stock or owned by Paychex or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) shares of Paycor Stock held by any subsidiary of either Paycor or Paychex (other than Merger Sub) immediately prior to the Effective Time (in each case, other than shares of Paycor Stock held by any such person in a trustee, custodian or nominee capacity for the account of clients or customers of such persons)), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares held by any holder who is entitled to appraisal rights and has properly exercised such rights under Delaware law) was converted into the right to receive $22.50 in cash per share, without interest thereon and less applicable withholding taxes.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Paychex dated January 7, 2025 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01 Other Events
On April 14, 2025, Paychex issued a press release announcing the completion of the Merger. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
The financial statements required by this item are not being filed herewith. They will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by amendment as soon as practicable, but not later than 71 days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.
The pro forma financial information required by this item is not being filed herewith. It will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by amendment as soon as practicable, but not later than 71 days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.
(d) Exhibits
|
Exhibit No. |
Description of Exhibit |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated April 14, 2025. |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive File, embedded in Inline XBRL. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PAYCHEX, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Prabha Sipi Bhandari | ||
| Name: | Prabha Sipi Bhandari | ||
| Title: | Chief Legal Officer, Chief Ethics Officer and Secretary | ||
Date: April 14, 2025
Exhibit 99.1
|
|
Paychex Completes Acquisition of Paycor
Deal strengthens Paychex’s upmarket position, unlocks new revenue channels, and expands strategic footprint and capabilities
Rochester, N.Y. (April 14, 2025) – Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) (“Paychex”), an industry-leading human capital management (HCM) company, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Paycor HCM, Inc. (Nasdaq: PYCR) (“Paycor”), a leading provider of HCM, payroll and talent software.
“The Paycor acquisition unites two industry leaders with unrivaled AI-enabled technology supported by world-class service and advisory capabilities,” said John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. “Together, we are reimagining how companies address the needs of today’s workforce with the most comprehensive, flexible, and innovative HCM solutions in the industry. Our combined offerings empower leaders in organizations of any size, in any segment, and at any stage. Our customers will benefit from more choice, more expertise, and more flexibility than ever before.”
“This transaction strengthens our competitive position upmarket, unlocks new revenue opportunities, and positions us for sustainable long-term growth,” Gibson added. “Our integration strategy will prioritize accelerating sales expansion and product innovation to drive our growth. We warmly welcome the talented Paycor team and look forward to leveraging their strengths to realize the full potential of this opportunity.”
Transaction Highlights
| · | All-cash acquisition of 100% of Paycor for $22.50 per share, representing approximately $4.1 billion of enterprise value |
| · | Combined offering will be the most comprehensive HCM portfolio in the industry, enabling Paychex to better meet the needs of new and existing customers across all market segments |
| · | Expected annual cost synergies of more than $80 million in fiscal 2026 and substantial revenue synergy opportunities over the next several years |
| · | Expected to be accretive to adjusted diluted EPS in fiscal 20261 |
| · | Paychex remains committed to maintaining its dividend policy and strong balance sheet |
Advisors
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to Paychex, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as legal advisor to Paychex. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to Paycor, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Paycor.
___________________________
1Adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is not a U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) measure. Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of these measures.
About Paychex
Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is the digitally driven HR leader that is reimagining how companies address the needs of today’s workforce with the most comprehensive, flexible, and innovative HCM solutions for organizations of all sizes. Offering a full spectrum of HR advisory and employee solutions, Paychex pays 1 out of every 11 American private sector workers and is raising the bar in HCM for nearly 800,000 customers in the U.S. and Europe. Every member of the Paychex team is committed to fulfilling the company’s purpose of helping businesses succeed. Visit paychex.com to learn more.
Contacts
| Paychex Investor Relations: | Paychex Media Inquiries: |
| Rachel White, Director, Investor Relations | Tracy Volkmann |
| Phil Nicosia, Manager, Investor Relations | Manager, Public Relations |
| (800) 828-4411 | (585) 387-6705 |
| investors@paychex.com | tvolkmann@paychex.com |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain written statements in this press release may contain, and members of management may from time to time make or discuss statements which constitute, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words and phrases as "expect," "outlook," "will," guidance," "projections," "strategy," "mission," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "design," "look forward," "may," "possible," "potential," "should" and other similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to our outlook, revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, and similar projections.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to known and unknown uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, and other factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside our control. Our actual performance and outcomes, including without limitation, our actual results and financial condition, may differ materially from those indicated in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
| · | our ability to keep pace with changes in technology or provide timely enhancements to our solutions and support; |
| · | software defects, undetected errors, and development delays for our solutions; |
| · | the possibility of cyberattacks, security vulnerabilities or Internet disruptions, including data security and privacy leaks, and data loss and business interruptions; |
| · | the possibility of failure of our business continuity plan during a catastrophic event; |
| · | the failure of third-party service providers to perform their functions; |
| · | the possibility that we may be exposed to additional risks related to our co-employment relationship with our PEO business; |
| · | changes in health insurance and workers’ compensation insurance rates and underlying claim trends; |
| · | risks related to acquisitions and the integration of the businesses we acquire, including risks related to the integration of Paycor; |
| · | our clients’ failure to reimburse us for payments made by us on their behalf; |
| · | the effect of changes in government regulations mandating the amount of tax withheld or the timing of remittances; |
| · | our failure to comply with covenants in our debt agreements; |
| · | changes in governmental regulations, laws, and policies; |
| · | our ability to comply with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations; |
| · | our compliance with data privacy and artificial intelligence laws and regulations; |
| · | our failure to protect our intellectual property rights; |
| · | potential outcomes related to pending or future litigation matters; |
| · | the impact of macroeconomic factors on the U.S. and global economy, and in particular on our small- and medium-sized business clients; |
| · | volatility in the political and economic environment, including inflation and interest rate changes; |
| · | our ability to attract and retain qualified people; and |
| · | the possible effects of negative publicity on our reputation and the value of our brand. |
Any of these factors, as well as such other factors as discussed in our SEC filings, could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results. The information provided in this document is based upon the facts and circumstances known as of the date of this press release, and any forward-looking statements made by us in this document speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of issuance of this press release to reflect events or circumstances after such date, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.