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HR Software Stocks Q2 Teardown: Asure Software (NASDAQ:ASUR) Vs The Rest


Jabin Bastian /
2022/10/24 3:18 am EDT

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to other peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Asure Software (NASDAQ:ASUR), and the best and worst performers in the HR software group.

HR software benefits from dual trends around costs savings and ease of use. First is the SaaS-ification of businesses, large and small, who much prefer the flexibility of cloud-based, web-browser delivered software paid for on a subscription basis than the hassle and expense of purchasing and managing on-premise enterprise software. Second is the consumerization of business software, whereby multiple standalone processes like payroll processing and compliance are aggregated into a single, easy to use platforms.

The 6 HR software stocks we track reported a solid Q2; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 3.51%, while on average next quarter revenue guidance was 2.8% above consensus. Technology stocks have been hit hard on fears of higher interest rates as investors search for near-term cash flows, but HR software stocks held their ground better than others, with share prices down 1.64% since the previous earnings results, on average.

Slowest Q2: Asure Software (NASDAQ:ASUR)

Created from the merger of two small workforce management companies in 2007, Asure (NASDAQ:ASUR) provides cloud based payroll and HR software for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Asure Software reported revenues of $20.3 million, up 18.2% year on year, in line with analyst expectations. It was a weaker quarter for the company, with a decline in gross margin and a full year guidance missing analysts' expectations.

“Our second quarter performance showed strong current sales momentum which gives me confidence that our solutions are resonating with clients, said Chairman and CEO, Pat Goepel. “We have continued to invest in our sales force, introduced innovative solutions and have improved the experience of our existing offerings.

Asure Software Total Revenue

Asure Software delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full year guidance update of the whole group. The stock is up 2.8% since the results and currently trades at $5.31.

Read our full report on Asure Software here, it's free.

Best Q2: Paycor (NASDAQ:PYCR)

Found in 1990 in Cincinnati, Ohio Paycor (NASDAQ: PYCR), provides software for small businesses to manage their payroll and HR needs in one place.

Paycor reported revenues of $110.9 million, up 26.1% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 7.26%. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with a full year guidance beating analysts' expectations and a solid beat of analyst estimates.

Paycor Total Revenue

Paycor achieved the strongest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is down 6.17% since the results and currently trades at $29.01.

Is now the time to buy Paycor? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Ceridian (NYSE:CDAY)

Founded in 1992 as an outsourced payroll processor and transformed after the 2012 acquisition of Dayforce, Ceridian (NYSE:CDAY) is a provider of cloud based payroll and HR software targeted at mid-sized businesses.

Ceridian reported revenues of $301.2 million, up 20.2% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 2.27%. It was a decent quarter for the company, with a significant improvement in gross margin but decelerating customer growth.

The stock is down 4.99% since the results and currently trades at $55.78.

Read our full analysis of Ceridian's results here.

Paycom Software (NYSE:PAYC)

Founded in 1998 as one of the first online payroll companies. Today, Paycom (NYSE:PAYC) provides software for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to manage their payroll and HR needs in one place.

Paycom Software reported revenues of $316.9 million, up 30.8% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 2.7%. It was a decent quarter for the company, with a very optimistic guidance for the next quarter but a decline in gross margin.

The stock is down 5.89% since the results and currently trades at $318.31.

Read our full, actionable report on Paycom Software here, it's free.

Paychex (NASDAQ:PAYX)

One of the oldest payroll service providers, Paychex provides payroll and human resource (HR) solutions.

Paychex reported revenues of $1.2 billion, up 11.3% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 3.5%. It was a solid quarter for the company, with a significant improvement in gross margin.

Paychex had the slowest revenue growth among the peers. The stock is up 0.33% since the results and currently trades at $113.64.

Read our full, actionable report on Paychex here, it's free.

The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned