Paychex, Inc. Reports Record Fiscal 2007 Results

Paychex, Inc. ("we,” "our,” or "us”) (NASDAQ:PAYX) today announced record net income of $531.6 million, or $1.39 diluted earnings per share, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 ("fiscal 2007”), a 14% increase over net income of $464.9 million, or $1.22 diluted earnings per share, for the prior fiscal year. The fiscal 2007 results were impacted by an increase to the litigation reserve during the three months ended February 28, 2007 of $13.0 million, which reduced diluted earnings per share for the year by approximately $0.02 per share. In addition, with the adoption of the new accounting standard for stock-based compensation on June 1, 2006, fiscal 2007 also included $25.7 million of stock-based compensation costs. "Fiscal 2007 is our seventeenth consecutive year of record revenues and net income. We have experienced record levels of client retention, product penetration, and solid profit results,” commented Jonathan J. Judge, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Looking back, fiscal 2007 was another excellent year. More importantly, our fiscal 2007 results and investments have us well positioned to meet our long-term financial goals in fiscal 2008 and beyond.” Payroll service revenue grew 9% to $1.4 billion over the prior fiscal year from client base growth, higher check volume, price increases, and penetration of ancillary payroll services. Our client base growth was 3.4% for fiscal 2007. Utilization of our payroll tax administration services was 93% as of May 31, 2007 compared to 92% as of May 31, 2006, and nearly all of our new clients purchase these services. Employee payment services utilization was 71% as of May 31, 2007 compared to 68% as of May 31, 2006, with over 80% of our new clients selecting these services. Human Resource Services revenue increased 22% to $396.2 million for fiscal 2007. This growth was generated from the following sources: retirement services client base increased 16% to 44,000 clients; comprehensive human resource outsourcing services client employees increased 26% to 373,000 client employees served; and workers’ compensation insurance services client base increased 19% to 62,000 clients. Additionally, the asset value of the retirement services client employees’ funds increased 34% to $8.5 billion. Total expenses increased 13% to $1.2 billion for fiscal 2007, in part due to $25.7 million of stock-based compensation costs for fiscal 2007 and $13.0 million for the increase to the litigation reserve. Excluding these two items, total expense growth would have been 9% primarily due to increases in personnel and technology as we continue our investments in new products and services. For fiscal 2007, interest on funds held for clients increased 33% to $134.1 million and corporate investment income increased 66% to $41.8 million. These increases were attributable to higher average interest rates and higher average investment balances, as summarized below: For the three monthsended May 31, For the twelve monthsended May 31, $ in millions     2007      2006      2007      2006  Average investment balances: Funds held for clients $ 3,606.6  $ 3,445.8  $ 3,275.9  $ 3,080.3  Corporate investments $ 1,228.9  $ 966.6  $ 1,109.5  $ 840.3    Average interest rates earned:   Funds held for clients 4.0% 3.7% 4.0% 3.2% Corporate investments     3.8%     3.3%     3.7%     2.9% FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2007 HIGHLIGHTS Net income was $137.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2007 ("fourth quarter”), or $0.36 diluted earnings per share, a 12% increase over net income of $122.7 million for the same period last year. Operating income increased 10% to $184.9 million. Operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients ($36.8 million) and stock-based compensation costs ($6.4 million) increased 14% for the fourth quarter to $154.5 million. Total revenue for the fourth quarter increased 11% to $487.3 million. Payroll service revenue increased 9% to $343.8 million due to client base growth, check volume growth, price increases, and penetration of ancillary payroll services. Human Resource Services revenue increased 16% to $106.7 million. Excluding revenue from our Professional Employer Organization ("PEO”) services, Human Resource Services revenue growth for the fourth quarter would have been 20%. Quarterly comparisons of PEO revenue are impacted by fluctuations in workers’ compensation claims experience. In addition, our PEO results in fiscal 2007 have been affected by legislated workers’ compensation rate reductions in the state of Florida where the majority of our PEO business is derived. RAPID PAYROLL, INC. LITIGATION During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we recognized $13.0 million of additional expense related to the Rapid Payroll, Inc. ("Rapid Payroll”) litigation that commenced in August 2001, and has been previously disclosed. At the present time, we have fully resolved our licensing responsibility and settled all disputes with seventy-four of the seventy-six licensees who were provided services by Rapid Payroll. A verdict favorable to Paychex, Inc. was issued with respect to our dispute with one of the remaining two licensees. That licensee is currently appealing the verdict. A verdict was issued earlier today in litigation brought by the other remaining licensee. In that case, a jury awarded $15.0 million to the plaintiffs in compensatory damages and allowed for an additional finding of punitive damages. The amount of any punitive damage award has not yet been determined. OUTLOOK Our current outlook for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008 is based upon current economic conditions and interest rate levels. Projected revenue and net income growth is as follows: Payroll service revenue 9% — 10% Human Resource Services revenue 20% — 23% Total service revenue 11% — 13% Interest on funds held for clients 6% — 9% Total revenue 11% — 13% Corporate investment income 20% — 25% Net income 14% — 16% The effective income tax rate is expected to approximate 31.5%. CONFERENCE CALL Interested parties may access the webcast of our Earnings Release Conference Call, scheduled for June 28, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, at www.paychex.com on the Investor Relations page. The webcast will also be archived on the Investor Relations page for approximately one month. Our news releases, current financial information, SEC filings, and investor presentation are also accessible at www.paychex.com. For more information, contact: Investor Relations: John Morphy, CFO, or Terri Allen 585-383-3406 Media Inquiries: Laura Saxby Lynch 585-383-3074 ABOUT PAYCHEX Paychex, Inc. is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. We offer comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, Readychex®, and check signing. Human Resource Services include 401(k) plan recordkeeping, workers’ compensation administration, section 125 plans, a professional employer organization, time and attendance solutions, and other administrative services for business. Paychex, Inc. was founded in 1971. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, we have more than 100 offices and serve approximately 561,000 payroll clients nationwide. For more information about Paychex, Inc. and our products, visit www.paychex.com. "SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 Certain written and oral statements made by us may constitute "forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act”). Forward-looking statements are identified by such words and phrases as "we expect,” "expected to,” "estimates,” "estimated,” "current outlook,” "we look forward to,” "would equate to,” "projects,” "projections,” "projected to be,” "anticipates,” "anticipated,” "we believe,” "could be,” and other similar phrases. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, or similar projections, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following risks, as well as those that are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”): general market and economic conditions, including, among others, changes in United States employment and wage levels, changes in new hiring trends, changes in short- and long-term interest rates, and changes in the market value and the credit rating of securities held by us; changes in demand for our products and services, ability to develop and market new products and services effectively, pricing changes and impact of competition, and the availability of skilled workers; changes in the laws regulating collection and payment of payroll taxes, professional employer organizations, and employee benefits, including retirement plans, worker’s compensation, state unemployment, and section 125 plans; changes in Professional Employer Organization direct costs, including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation rates and underlying claims trends; the possibility of failure to keep pace with technological changes and provide timely enhancements to products and services; the possibility of failure of our operating facilities, computer systems, and communication systems during a catastrophic event; the possibility of third-party service providers failing to perform their functions; the possibility of penalties and losses resulting from errors and omissions in performing services; the possible inability of our clients to meet their payroll obligations; the possible failure of internal controls or our inability to implement business processing improvements; and potentially unfavorable outcomes related to pending legal matters. Any of these factors 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 at this time. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of issuance of this release, or to reflect occurrence of unanticipated events. PAYCHEX, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)   For the three months ended May 31, For the twelve months ended May 31,     2007    2006    % Change    2007    2006    % Change  Revenue: Payroll service revenue $ 343,793  $ 316,412  9% $ 1,356,646  $ 1,248,924  9% Human Resource Services revenue   106,718      92,059  16%   396,222      324,873  22% Total service revenue 450,511  408,471  10% 1,752,868  1,573,797  11% Interest on funds held for clients (A)   36,837      32,009  15%   134,096      100,799  33% Total revenue 487,348  440,480  11% 1,886,964  1,674,596  13%   Expenses: Operating expenses (B) 157,982  145,998  8% 615,479  560,255  10% Selling, general and administrative expenses (B)   144,484      126,936  14%   544,937      464,770  17% Total expenses   302,466      272,934  11%   1,160,416      1,025,025  13%   Operating income 184,882  167,546  10% 726,548  649,571  12%   Investment income, net (A)   11,870      8,426  41%   41,721      25,195  66% Income before income taxes 196,752  175,972  12% 768,269  674,766  14%   Income taxes   59,533      53,232  12%   236,703      209,852  13% Net income $ 137,219    $ 122,740  12% $ 531,566    $ 464,914  14%     Basic earnings per share $ 0.36  $ 0.32  13% $ 1.39  $ 1.23  13%   Diluted earnings per share $ 0.36  $ 0.32  13% $ 1.39  $ 1.22  14%   Weighted-average common shares outstanding 382,019  380,092  381,149  379,465    Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution 383,568  382,207  382,802  381,351    Cash dividends per common share   $ 0.21    $ 0.16    31%   $ 0.79    $ 0.61    30% (A) Further information on interest on funds held for clients and investment income, net, and the short- and long-term effects of changing interest rates can be found in our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and subheadings "Results of Operations” and "Market Risk Factors.” These filings are accessible at our website www.paychex.com. (B) Effective June 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (R), "Share-Based Payment.” In accordance with this standard, we recognized compensation costs for the fair value of stock-based awards of $6.4 million for the fourth quarter and $25.7 million for fiscal 2007. These costs were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income with $1.9 million for the fourth quarter and $8.3 million for fiscal 2007 in operating expenses, and $4.5 million for the fourth quarter and $17.4 million for fiscal 2007 in selling, general and administrative expenses. PAYCHEX, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amount)       May 31, 2007   May 31, 2006 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 79,353  $ 137,423  Corporate investments (A)   511,772  440,007  Interest receivable 53,624  38,139  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 186,273  189,835  Deferred income taxes 14,959  18,314  Prepaid income taxes 8,845  7,574  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   24,515      21,398  Current assets before funds held for clients 879,341  852,690  Funds held for clients (A)   3,973,097      3,591,611  Total current assets 4,852,438  4,444,301  Long-term corporate investments (A) 633,086  384,481  Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 256,087  234,664  Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization 67,213  60,704  Goodwill 407,712  405,842  Deferred income taxes 15,209  12,783  Other long-term assets   5,893      6,527  Total assets $ 6,237,638    $ 5,549,302    LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 46,961  $ 46,668  Accrued compensation and related items 125,268  130,069  Deferred revenue 7,758  5,809  Litigation reserve 7,515  15,625  Other current liabilities   42,638      34,008  Current liabilities before client fund deposits 230,140  232,179  Client fund deposits   3,982,330      3,606,193  Total current liabilities 4,212,470  3,838,372  Deferred income taxes 9,567  15,481  Other long-term liabilities   47,234      40,606  Total liabilities 4,269,271  3,894,459    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized: 600,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 382,151 shares as of May 31, 2007, and 380,303 shares as of May 31, 2006, respectively 3,822  3,803  Additional paid-in capital 362,982  284,395  Retained earnings 1,611,224  1,380,971  Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (9,661)     (14,326) Total stockholders’ equity   1,968,367      1,654,843  Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 6,237,638    $ 5,549,302  (A) The available-for-sale securities within the funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios reflected a net unrealized loss position of $14.9 million as of May 31, 2007, compared with a net unrealized loss position of $22.0 million as of May 31, 2006. During the twelve months of fiscal 2007, the net unrealized loss position ranged from $29.5 million to $1.1 million. The net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolios was approximately $21.8 million as of June 22, 2007.