Paychex Inc - PAYX STOCK NEWS

According to the latest Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch, hourly wage growth for U.S. small businesses decreased to 4.66% year-over-year in January 2023, marking its lowest level since January 2022. Additionally, one-month annualized earnings growth dropped to 2.88%, the lowest since December 2020. The Small Business Jobs Index increased by 0.18% to 99.56, showing ongoing progress in hiring despite easing wage pressures. Notably, all four regions reported job gains, with South leading small business employment growth.

Paychex has expanded its Board of Directors from 11 to 12 members, appointing Theresa M. Payton effective immediately. A celebrated business leader, Payton is the founder and CEO of Fortalice Solutions, known for advising major firms on technology innovation and security. She previously served as CIO for the White House and has extensive experience in financial technology. Chairman Martin Mucci noted Payton's unique blend of skills in governance and client-focused insights, which are expected to enhance the board's strategic direction.

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ-PAYX) has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.79 per share. This dividend will be payable on February 23, 2023, to shareholders of record as of February 9, 2023. With over 50 years of industry expertise, Paychex is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions, serving more than 730,000 payroll clients in the U.S. and Europe. The company supports the payroll needs of approximately 1 in 12 American private sector employees.

Paychex, Inc. has announced significant advancements in its ESG governance for FY22. The company expanded its ESG strategic framework from four to nine pillars, emphasizing areas like Ethics, Governance, and Diversity. To enhance governance, Paychex split its board committee responsibilities into the Compensation and Leadership Committee and the Nominating & ESG Committee. Notably, its MSCI ESG Rating improved from BBB to A, and the FTSE Russell ESG Rating increased from 2.8 to 3.3. Future executive compensation will also include DEI and ESG program improvements, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainability and long-term success.

Paychex emphasizes its commitment to ethical business practices in a recent letter from its Chief Legal and Ethics Officer, Stephanie Schaeffer. Founded in 1971, Paychex serves 730,000 clients with nearly 16,000 employees, focusing primarily on small businesses. The letter highlights the company's dedication to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, ensuring integrity in operations, community contributions, and workplace diversity. As the company navigates post-pandemic challenges, it remains focused on fostering a better world.

The Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch indicates a 4.95% year-over-year wage growth for small businesses in December, down from previous months. The Small Business Jobs Index remains flat at 99.38, reflecting stability in employment growth despite inflationary pressures. Key data highlights include a regional jobs index growth in the South and varying performance across states, with Tennessee showing notable improvement. The leisure and hospitality sector leads hourly earnings growth while overall weekly hours worked growth remains negative over the past year.