UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 0-11330

 

PAYCHEX, INC.

911 Panorama Trail South
Rochester, New York 14625-2396
(585) 385-6666
A Delaware Corporation

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value		361,406,822 Shares
CLASS		OUTSTANDING AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2009

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

PAYCHEX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
In thousands, except per share amounts

		For the three months ended								For the six months ended
		November 30,								November 30,
		2009				2008				2009				2008
Revenue:
Service revenue		$	483,024			$	504,383			$	969,515			$	1,014,250
Interest on funds held for clients			13,552				19,777				27,275				43,995
Total revenue			496,576				524,160				996,790				1,058,245
Expenses:
Operating expenses			162,648				170,675				325,994				339,143
Selling, general and administrative expenses			140,863				141,585				287,864				285,617
Total expenses			303,511				312,260				613,858				624,760
Operating income			193,065				211,900				382,932				433,485
Investment income, net			1,147				1,932				2,052				4,983
Income before income taxes			194,212				213,832				384,984				438,468
Income taxes			68,362				73,590				135,514				149,517
Net income		$	125,850			$	140,242			$	249,470			$	288,951
Basic earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.39			$	0.69			$	0.80
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.39			$	0.69			$	0.80
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			361,392				360,812				361,288				360,710
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution			361,692				360,977				361,515				360,998
Cash dividends per common share		$	0.31			$	0.31			$	0.62			$	0.62

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAYCHEX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
In thousands, except per share amount

		November 30,				May 31,
		2009				2009
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents			$   225,304			$	472,769
Corporate investments			62,011				19,710
Interest receivable			29,107				27,722
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts			221,711				177,958
Deferred income taxes			—				10,180
Prepaid income taxes			—				2,198
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			27,958				27,913
Current assets before funds held for clients			566,091				738,450
Funds held for clients			2,996,115				3,501,376
Total current assets			3,562,206				4,239,826
Long-term corporate investments			317,430				82,234
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation			262,024				274,530
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			71,478				76,641
Goodwill			421,559				433,316
Deferred income taxes			18,488				16,487
Other long-term assets			3,947				4,381
Total assets			$4,657,132			$	5,127,415
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable			$     36,494			$	37,334
Accrued compensation and related items			136,777				135,064
Deferred revenue			2,516				9,542
Accrued income taxes			1,739				—
Deferred income taxes			23,683				17,159
Litigation reserve			20,396				20,411
Other current liabilities			42,138				44,704
Current liabilities before client fund obligations			263,743				264,214
Client fund obligations			2,922,986				3,437,679
Total current liabilities			3,186,729				3,701,893
Accrued income taxes			26,580				25,730
Deferred income taxes			7,743				12,773
Other long-term liabilities			43,890				45,541
Total liabilities			3,264,942				3,785,937
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES — NOTE H
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized: 600,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 361,407 shares as of November 30, 2009 and 360,976 shares as of May 31, 2009, respectively			3,614				3,610
Additional paid-in capital			485,853				466,427
Retained earnings			853,084				829,501
Accumulated other comprehensive income			49,639				41,940
Total stockholders’ equity			1,392,190				1,341,478
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$4,657,132			$	5,127,415

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAYCHEX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
In thousands

		For the six months ended
		November 30,
		2009				2008
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income		$	249,470			$	288,951
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and intangible assets			43,313				41,678
Amortization of premiums and discounts on available-for-sale securities			16,801				11,940
Stock-based compensation costs			13,310				13,942
Provision for deferred income taxes			4,263				13,089
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts			1,958				1,084
Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities			(1,014	)			(705	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable			(1,385	)			4,644
Accounts receivable			(44,641	)			(35,836	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,665				5,501
Accounts payable and other current liabilities			(1,422	)			(18,712	)
Net change in other assets and liabilities			(3,147	)			2,809
Net cash provided by operating activities			279,171				328,385
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of available-for-sale securities			(756,826	)			(16,284,599	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities			284,071				17,493,183
Net change in funds held for clients’ money market securities and other cash equivalents			697,664				(820,736	)
Purchases of property and equipment			(23,091	)			(39,207	)
Proceeds from sale of business			13,050				—
Purchases of other assets			(9,168	)			(13,445	)
Net cash provided by investing activities			205,700				335,196
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in client fund obligations			(514,693	)			(279,002	)
Dividends paid			(224,234	)			(223,840	)
Proceeds from and excess tax benefit related to exercise of stock options			6,591				5,657
Net cash used in financing activities			(732,336	)			(497,185	)
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents			(247,465	)			166,396
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			472,769				164,237
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	225,304			$	330,633

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAYCHEX, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
November 30, 2009

Note A: Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of business: Paychex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Paychex”) is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses in the United States (“U.S.”). The Company also has a subsidiary in Germany.

Paychex, a Delaware corporation formed in 1979, reports as one segment. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated within the U.S. The Company also generates revenue within Germany, which was less than one percent of its total revenue for the six months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008. Long-lived assets in Germany are insignificant in relation to total long-lived assets of the Company as of November 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009.

Basis of presentation: The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. In the opinion of management, the information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature), which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended May 31, 2009 (“fiscal 2009”). Operating results and cash flows for the six months ended November 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or the full fiscal year ending May 31, 2010 (“fiscal 2010”). The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through December 16, 2009, the date of issuance of these financial statements.

PEO revenue recognition: Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”) revenue is included in service revenue and is reported net of direct costs billed and incurred which include wages, taxes, benefit premiums, and claims of PEO worksite employees. Direct costs billed and incurred were $730.7 million and $637.4 million for the three months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion for the six months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

PEO workers’ compensation insurance: Workers’ compensation insurance for PEO worksite employees is provided under a deductible workers’ compensation policy with a national insurance company. Claims are paid as incurred and the Company’s maximum individual claims liability is $1.0 million under both its fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 policies.

Note A: Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies — continued

The Company has recorded the following amounts on its Consolidated Balance Sheets for workers’ compensation claims as of:

		November 30,				May 31,
In thousands		2009				2009
Prepaid expense		$	2,746			$	2,500
Current liability		$	7,072			$	7,911
Long-term liability		$	17,978			$	17,881

The amounts included in prepaid expense on the Consolidated Balance Sheets relate to the policy for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, which was a pre-funded policy.

Estimating the ultimate cost of future claims is an uncertain and complex process based upon historical loss experience and actuarial loss projections, and is subject to change due to multiple factors, including economic trends, changes in legal liability law, and damage awards, all of which could materially impact the reserves as reported. Adjustments to previously established reserves are reflected in the results of operations for the period in which the adjustment is identified. Such adjustments could possibly be significant, reflecting any variety of new and adverse or favorable trends.

Stock-based compensation costs: The Company has issued stock-based awards to employees consisting of stock options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Grants approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) were as follows:

		For the six months ended
		November 30,
		2009								2008
						Weighted-								Weighted-
						average								average
		Shares				fair value				Shares				fair value
In thousands, except per share amounts		granted				per share				granted				per share
Stock options			1,248			$	4.32				783			$	6.90
Restricted stock			153			$	24.60				137			$	31.86
RSUs			567			$	20.62				607			$	28.30

The Company accounts for all stock-based awards to employees and directors as compensation costs in the Consolidated Financial Statements based on the fair value measured as of the date of grant. These costs are recognized as an expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the requisite service period and increase additional paid-in capital. Stock-based compensation costs recognized were $6.6 million and $13.3 million for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009, as compared with $7.0 million and $13.9 million for the respective prior year periods. As of November 30, 2009, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested stock-based awards was $63.7 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

Note A: Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies — continued

The fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the closing market price of the underlying common stock as of the date of grant. The fair value of RSUs is equal to the closing market price of the underlying common stock as of the date of grant, adjusted for the present value of expected dividends over the vesting period, as these awards do not earn dividend equivalents.

The fair value of stock option grants is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used for valuation under the Black-Scholes model were as follows:

										For the six months ended
										November 30,
										2009				2008
Risk-free interest rate											3.0	%			3.3	%
Dividend yield											4.5	%			3.4	%
Volatility factor											.28				.28
Expected option life in years											6.3				6.4

Risk-free interest rates are yields for zero-coupon U.S. Treasury notes maturing approximately at the end of the expected option life. The estimated volatility factor is based on a combination of historical volatility using weekly stock prices and implied market volatility, both over a period equal to the expected option life. The expected option life is based on historical exercise behavior.

The Company has determined that the Black-Scholes option pricing model, as well as the underlying assumptions used in its application, is appropriate in estimating the fair value of its stock option grants. The Company periodically assesses its assumptions as well as its choice of valuation model, and will reconsider use of this model if additional information becomes available in the future indicating that another model would provide a more accurate estimate of fair value, or if characteristics of future grants would warrant such a change.

Newly adopted accounting pronouncements: On June 1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 141 (revised 2007) (“SFAS No. 141R”), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141R provides guidance on how an entity recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired (including goodwill), liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests, if any, acquired in a business combination. SFAS No. 141R also requires that acquisition-related costs and costs associated with restructuring or exiting activities of an acquired entity be expensed as incurred. The Company cannot anticipate if the adoption of SFAS No. 141R will have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position as the impact is solely dependent on whether the Company enters into any business combination, and the terms of any such transaction.

On June 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events.” This statement establishes guidance related to accounting for and disclosure of events that happen after the date of the balance sheet but before the release of the financial statements. The adoption of this statement had no material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Note A: Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies — continued

On June 1, 2009, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” This FSP amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. The adoption of this FSP had no material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

On June 1, 2009, the Company adopted the following three FSPs which provide additional accounting guidance and enhanced disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairments of debt securities:

	•		FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” requiring publicly traded companies to disclose the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements;
	•		FSP No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly,” providing guidance for determining fair value when there is no active market or where price inputs being used represent distressed sales; and
	•		FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments,” providing guidance for measurement and recognition of impaired debt securities along with expanded disclosures with respect to impaired debt securities.

The adoption of these FSPs did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Refer to Notes C and D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures related to these FSPs.

On September 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification^TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles — a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” (the “Codification”). The Codification, released on July 1, 2009, became the single source of authoritative non-governmental U.S. GAAP. The Codification eliminates the GAAP hierarchy contained in SFAS No. 162 and establishes one level of authoritative GAAP.

On September 1, 2009, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-05, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) — Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value.” ASU No. 2009-05 provides guidance for measuring the fair value of a liability in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability may not be available. The adoption of this ASU had no material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In August and September 2009, the Company adopted the following ASUs, neither of which had a material effect on its results of operations or financial position:

	•		ASU No. 2009-03, “SEC Update — Amendments to Various Topics Containing SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins”; and
	•		ASU No. 2009-07, “Accounting for Various Topics — Technical Corrections to SEC Paragraphs.”

Note A: Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies — continued

Recently issued accounting pronouncements: In June 2009, the FASB issued the following statements:

	•		SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.” SFAS No. 166 makes several amendments to Codification Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, including the removal of the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity; and
	•		SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R).” SFAS No. 167 will require a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity for consolidation purposes.

Both standards are effective for annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009, and are applicable to the Company’s fiscal year beginning June 1, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of these standards to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU No. 2009-13 amends accounting guidance related to revenue recognition for arrangements with multiple deliverables and related disclosure requirements. This ASU is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted, and is applicable to the Company’s fiscal year beginning June 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on its results of operations and financial position.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985) — Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU No. 2009-14 eliminates tangible products containing both software and non-software components that operate together to deliver a product’s functionality from the scope of current GAAP for software. This ASU is effective for arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years that start on or after June 15, 2010 and is applicable to the Company’s fiscal year beginning June 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of this ASU will have on its results of operations and financial position.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including ASUs), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not, or are not, expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Note B: Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:

			For the three months ended							For the six months ended
			November 30,							November 30,
In thousands, except per share amounts			2009				2008				2009				2008
Basic earnings per share:
Net income		$	125,850			$	140,242			$	249,470			$	288,951
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			361,392				360,812				361,288				360,710
Basic earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.39			$	0.69			$	0.80
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income		$	125,850			$	140,242			$	249,470			$	288,951
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			361,392				360,812				361,288				360,710
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents at average market price			300				165				227				288
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution			361,692				360,977				361,515				360,998
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.39			$	0.69			$	0.80
Weighted-average anti-dilutive common share equivalents			13,459				14,035				14,016				12,711

Weighted-average common share equivalents that have an anti-dilutive impact are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Shares of the Company’s common stock issued for the three months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008 were minimal. For the six months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008, shares of the Company’s common stock issued for stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock and RSUs were 0.5 million and 0.3 million, respectively.

Note C: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments

Funds held for clients and corporate investments consisted of the following:

		November 30, 2009
						Gross				Gross
		Amortized				unrealized				unrealized				Fair
In thousands		cost				gains				losses				value
Type of issue:
Money market securities and other cash equivalents		$	1,118,614			$	—			$	—			$	1,118,614
Available-for-sale securities:
General obligation municipal bonds			943,218				40,277				(16	)			983,479
Pre-refunded municipal bonds(1)			551,829				23,442				—				575,271
Revenue municipal bonds			347,439				15,129				(66	)			362,502
Variable rate demand notes(2)			328,615				—				—				328,615
Other equity securities			20				54				—				74
Total available-for-sale securities			2,171,121				78,902				(82	)			2,249,941
Other			7,441				69				(509	)			7,001
Total funds held for clients and corporate investments		$	3,297,176			$	78,971			$	(591	)		$	3,375,556
		May 31, 2009
						Gross				Gross
		Amortized				unrealized				unrealized				Fair
In thousands		cost				gains				losses				value
Type of issue:
Money market securities and other cash equivalents		$	1,816,278			$	—			$	—			$	1,816,278
Available-for-sale securities:
General obligation municipal bonds			849,594				32,698				(136	)			882,156
Pre-refunded municipal bonds(1)			527,864				21,334				(24	)			549,174
Revenue municipal bonds			336,675				12,818				(32	)			349,461
Variable rate demand notes(2)			—				—				—				—
Other equity securities			20				42				—				62
Total available-for-sale securities			1,714,153				66,892				(192	)			1,780,853
Other			7,477				—				(1,288	)			6,189
Total funds held for clients and corporate investments		$	3,537,908			$	66,892			$	(1,480	)		$	3,603,320

Note C: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments — continued

Included in money market securities and other cash equivalents as of November 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009 are U.S. agency discount notes, government money market funds, and bank demand deposit accounts.

Classification of investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows:

		November 30,				May 31,
In thousands		2009				2009
Funds held for clients			$2,996,115			$	3,501,376
Corporate investments			62,011				19,710
Long-term corporate investments			317,430				82,234
Total funds held for clients and corporate investments			$3,375,556			$	3,603,320

The Company is exposed to credit risk in connection with these investments through the possible inability of borrowers to meet the terms of their bonds. In addition, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk, as rate volatility will cause fluctuations in the fair value of held investments and in the earnings potential of future investments. The Company maintains a conservative investment strategy of maximizing liquidity and protecting principal. The Company invests primarily in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings and short-term securities with A-1/P-1 ratings. It limits the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer, and invests in short- to intermediate-term instruments whose fair value is less sensitive to interest rate changes. All the investments held as of November 30, 2009 are traded in active markets. The Company has not and does not utilize derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk.

The Company’s available-for-sale securities reflected a net unrealized gain of $78.8 million as of November 30, 2009 compared with a net unrealized gain of $66.7 million as of May 31, 2009. The gross unrealized losses of $0.1 million, included in the net unrealized gain as of November 30, 2009, were comprised of 5 available-for-sale securities, which had a total fair value of $17.1 million. The gross unrealized losses of $0.2 million, included in the net unrealized gain as of May 31, 2009, were comprised of 14 available-for-sale securities, which had a total fair value of $39.4 million.

Note C: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments - continued

The securities in an unrealized loss position were as follows:

		November 30, 2009
		Less than 12 months								More than 12 months								Total
		Gross								Gross								Gross
		unrealized				Fair				unrealized				Fair				unrealized				Fair
In thousands		loss				value				loss				value				loss				value
Type of issue:
General obligation municipal bonds		$	(16	)		$	8,495			$	—			$	—			$	(16	)		$	8,495
Revenue municipal bonds			(66	)			8,598				—				—				(66	)			8,598
Total		$	(82	)		$	17,093			$	—			$	—			$	(82	)		$	17,093
		May 31, 2009
		Less than 12 months								More than 12 months								Total
		Gross								Gross								Gross
		unrealized				Fair				unrealized				Fair				unrealized				Fair
In thousands		loss				value				loss				value				loss				value
Type of issue:
General obligation municipal bonds		$	(136	)		$	28,915			$	—			$	—			$	(136	)		$	28,915
Pre-refunded municipal bonds			(24	)			4,490				—				—				(24	)			4,490
Revenue municipal bonds			(21	)			2,943				(11	)			3,010				(32	)			5,953
Total		$	(181	)		$	36,348			$	(11	)		$	3,010			$	(192	)		$	39,358

The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolios to determine if any investment is other-than-temporarily impaired due to changes in credit risk or other potential valuation concerns. The Company believes that the investments it held as of November 30, 2009 were not other-than-temporarily impaired. While $17.1 million of available-for-sale securities had fair values that were below amortized cost, the Company believes that it is probable that the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with contractual terms, and that the decline in the fair value to $0.1 million below amortized cost was due to changes in interest rates and was not due to increased credit risk or other valuation concerns. All of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of November 30, 2009 and the majority of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of May 31, 2009 held an AA rating or better. The Company intends to hold these investments until the recovery of their amortized cost basis or maturity, and further believes that it is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell these investments prior to that time. The Company’s assessment that an investment is not other-than-temporarily impaired could change in the future due to new developments or changes in the Company’s strategies or assumptions related to any particular investment.

Note C: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments — continued

Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined by specific identification of the cost basis of each security. On the Consolidated Statements of Income, realized gains and losses from funds held for clients are included in interest on funds held for clients and realized gains and losses from corporate investments are included in investment income, net. Realized gains and losses were as follows:

		For the three months ended								For the six months ended
		November 30,								November 30,
In thousands		2009				2008				2009				2008
Gross realized gains		$	729			$	540			$	1,014			$	840
Gross realized losses			—				(135	)			—				(135	)
Net realized gains		$	729			$	405			$	1,014			$	705

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities that had stated maturities as of November 30, 2009 are shown below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

		November 30, 2009
						Fair
In thousands		Cost				value
Maturity date:
Due in one year or less		$	270,427			$	274,999
Due after one year through three years			810,854				839,797
Due after three years through five years			491,437				524,465
Due after five years			598,383				610,606
Total		$	2,171,101			$	2,249,867

VRDNs are primarily categorized as due after five years in the table above as the contractual maturities on these securities are typically 20 to 30 years. Although these securities are issued as long-term securities, they are priced and traded as short-term instruments because of the liquidity provided through the tender feature.

Note D: Fair Value Measurements

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, and trade accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. Marketable securities included in funds held for clients and corporate investments consist primarily of securities classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

The accounting standards related to fair value measurements include a hierarchy for information and valuations used in measuring fair value that is broken down into three levels based on reliability, as follows:

•

Level 1 valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company has the ability to access.

Note D: Fair Value Measurements — continued

	•		Level 2 valuations are based on quoted prices for similar, but not identical, instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; or other than quoted prices observable inputs.
	•		Level 3 valuations are based on information that is unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The following table presents information on the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2009:

						Quoted				Significant
						prices in				other				Significant
		Carrying				active				observable				unobservable
		value				markets				inputs				inputs
In thousands		(Fair value)				(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
General obligation municipal bonds		$	983,479			$	—			$	983,479			$	—
Pre-refunded municipal bonds			575,271				—				575,271				—
Revenue municipal bonds			362,502				—				362,502				—
Variable rate demand notes			328,615				—				328,615				—
Other equity securities			74				74				—				—
Total available-for-sale securities		$	2,249,941			$	74			$	2,249,867			$	—
Other securities		$	7,001			$	7,001			$	—			$	—
Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities		$	7,014			$	7,014			$	—			$	—

In determining the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company predominately uses the market approach. In determining the fair value of its available-for-sale securities, the Company utilizes the Interactive Data Pricing service. Other securities are comprised of mutual fund investments, which are valued based on quoted market prices. Other long-term liabilities include the liability for the Company’s non-qualified and unfunded deferred compensation plans, and are valued based on the quoted market prices for various mutual fund investment choices.

The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

Note E: Property and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation

The components of property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following:

		November 30,				May 31,
In thousands		2009				2009
Land and improvements		$	4,033			$	4,033
Buildings and improvements			83,456				83,386
Data processing equipment			184,853				180,448
Software			170,117				165,959
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment			145,520				143,638
Leasehold improvements			88,924				88,509
Construction in progress			5,060				4,034
Total property and equipment, gross			681,963				670,007
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization			419,939				395,477
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		$	262,024			$	274,530

Depreciation expense was $16.0 million and $32.4 million for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009, respectively, as compared with $15.6 million and $31.5 million for the three and six months ended November 30, 2008, respectively.

Within construction in progress, there were costs for software being developed for internal use of $3.0 million and $3.4 million as of November 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009, respectively. Capitalization of costs ceases when the software is ready for its intended use, at which time the Company begins amortization of the costs.

Note F: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net of Accumulated Amortization

The Company had goodwill balances on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $421.6 million and $433.3 million as of November 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009, respectively. The decrease in goodwill was due to divesting of Stromberg time and attendance, an immaterial component of the Company.

The Company has certain intangible assets with finite lives. The components of intangible assets, at cost, consisted of the following:

		November 30,				May 31,
In thousands		2009				2009
Client lists and associate office license agreements		$	191,595			$	194,887
Other intangible assets			4,935				5,675
Total intangible assets, gross			196,530				200,562
Less: Accumulated amortization			125,052				123,921
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization		$	71,478			$	76,641

Amortization expense relating to intangible assets was $5.7 million and $10.9 million for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009, respectively, as compared with $5.4 million and $10.2 million for the three and six months ended November 30, 2008, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense relating to intangible asset balances for the full fiscal year 2010 and the following four fiscal years, as of November 30, 2009, is as follows:

		Estimated
In thousands		amortization
Fiscal year ending May 31,		expense
2010		$	21,718
2011		$	18,703
2012		$	15,700
2013		$	10,885
2014		$	6,798

Note G: Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of two components: net income and other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from transactions with owners of the Company. The change in unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, related to available-for-sale securities is the primary component reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Comprehensive income, net of related tax effects, is as follows:

		For the three months ended								For the six months ended
		November 30,								November 30,
In thousands		2009				2008				2009				2008
Net income		$	125,850			$	140,242			$	249,470			$	288,951
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes			6,898				(1,046	)			8,339				5,404
Reclassification adjustment for the net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities realized in net income, net of tax			(460	)			(262	)			(640	)			(456	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			6,438				(1,308	)			7,699				4,948
Total comprehensive income		$	132,288			$	138,934			$	257,169			$	293,899

As of November 30, 2009, accumulated other comprehensive income was $49.6 million, which was net of taxes of $29.2 million. As of May 31, 2009, accumulated other comprehensive income was $41.9 million, which was net of taxes of $24.7 million.

Note H: Commitments and Contingencies

Lines of credit: As of November 30, 2009, the Company had unused borrowing capacity available under four uncommitted, secured, short-term lines of credit at market rates of interest with financial institutions as follows:

Financial institution		Amount available				Expiration date
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		$350 million				February 2010
Bank of America, N.A.		$250 million				February 2010
PNC Bank, National Association		$150 million				February 2010
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association		$150 million				February 2010

The primary uses of the lines of credit would be to meet short-term funding requirements related to deposit account overdrafts and client fund obligations arising from electronic payment transactions on behalf of clients in the ordinary course of business, if necessary. No amounts were outstanding against these lines of credit as of, or during the six months ended, November 30, 2009.

JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A. are also parties to the Company’s irrevocable standby letters of credit, which are discussed below.

Letters of credit: As of November 30, 2009, and May 31, 2009, the Company had irrevocable standby letters of credit available totaling $65.8 million required to secure commitments for certain insurance policies and bonding requirements. The letters of credit expire at various dates between May 2010 and December 2012 and are collateralized by securities held in the Company’s investment portfolios. No amounts were outstanding on these letters of credit as of, or during the six months ended, November 30, 2009.

Other commitments: The Company enters into various purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business. The Company had outstanding commitments to purchase approximately $12.1 million and $4.5 million of capital assets as of November 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009, respectively. During the three months ended November 30, 2009, the Company entered into a multi-year commitment with a vendor to purchase computer systems.

The Company guarantees performance of service on annual maintenance contracts for clients who financed their service contracts through a third party. In the normal course of business, the Company makes representations and warranties that guarantee the performance of its services under service arrangements with clients. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, which require it to defend and, if necessary, indemnify these individuals for certain pending or future claims as they relate to their services provided to the Company. Historically, there have been no material losses related to such guarantees and indemnifications.

Paychex currently self-insures the deductible portion of various insured exposures under certain employee benefit plans. The Company’s estimated loss exposure under these insurance arrangements is recorded in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Historically, the amounts accrued have not been material. The Company also maintains insurance coverage in addition to its purchased primary insurance policies for gap coverage for employment practices liability, errors and omissions, warranty liability, and acts of terrorism; and capacity for deductibles and self-insured retentions through its captive insurance company.

Note H: Commitments and Contingencies — continued

Contingencies: The Company is subject to various claims and legal matters that arise in the normal course of its business. These include disputes or potential disputes related to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, employment-related claims, tax claims, and other matters.

The Company has a reserve for pending litigation matters of $20.4 million as of November 30, 2009. This reserve is included in current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In light of the reserve for all pending litigation matters, the Company’s management currently believes that resolution of outstanding legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, legal matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and there exists the possibility that the ultimate resolution of these matters could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and the results of operations in the period in which any such effect is recorded.

Note I: Related Party Transactions

During the three and six months ended November 30, 2009, the Company purchased approximately $0.1 million and $1.6 million of data processing equipment and software from EMC Corporation, as compared with $2.3 million and $2.6 million in the respective prior year periods. The Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of EMC Corporation is a member of the Company’s Board.

During the six months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company purchased $0.4 million and $0.5 million of services from Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, respectively. Purchases for the three months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008 were minimal. Jonathan J. Judge, the Company’s President and CEO, is a member of the Board of Directors of Dun & Bradstreet Corporation.

Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reviews the operating results of Paychex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Paychex,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008, and our financial condition as of November 30, 2009. The focus of this review is on the underlying business reasons for significant changes and trends affecting our revenue, expenses, net income, and financial condition. This review should be read in conjunction with the November 30, 2009 Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”). This review should also be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended May 31, 2009 (“fiscal 2009”). Forward-looking statements in this review are qualified by the cautionary statement included in this review under the next sub-heading, “Safe-Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.”

“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 periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”):

	•		general market and economic conditions including, among others, changes in United States (“U.S.”) employment and wage levels, changes in new hiring trends, legislative changes to stimulate the economy, changes in short- and long-term interest rates, changes in the fair value and the credit rating of securities held by us, and accessibility of financing;
	•		changes in demand for our services and products, ability to develop and market new services and products effectively, pricing changes and the 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, workers’ compensation, health insurance, state unemployment, and section 125 plans;

	•		changes in workers’ compensation rates and underlying claims trends;
	•		the possibility of failure to keep pace with technological changes and provide timely enhancements to services and products;
	•		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 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 Form 10-Q is based upon the facts and circumstances known at this time. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of filing of this Form 10-Q with the SEC to reflect events or circumstances after such date, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Business

We are a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. Our business strategy is focused on achieving strong long-term financial performance by providing high quality, timely, accurate, and affordable services; growing our client base; increasing utilization of our ancillary services; leveraging our technological and operating infrastructure; and expanding our service offerings.

Our Payroll and Human Resource Services offer a portfolio of services and products that allow our clients to meet their diverse payroll and human resource needs. Our Payroll services are the foundation of our service portfolio. They are provided through either our core payroll or Major Market Services (“MMS”), which is utilized by clients that have more sophisticated payroll and benefit needs, and include the services that follow.

	•		Payroll processing includes the calculation, preparation, and delivery of employee payroll checks; production of internal accounting records and management reports; preparation of federal, state, and local payroll tax returns; and collection and remittance of clients’ payroll obligations.
	•		Payroll tax administration services provide accurate preparation and timely filing of quarterly and year-end tax returns, as well as the electronic transfer of funds to the applicable federal, state, and local tax or regulatory agencies.
	•		Employee payment services provide the employer the option of paying their employees by direct deposit, Chase Pay Card Plus, a check drawn on a Paychex, Inc. account (Readychex®), or a check drawn on the employer’s account and electronically signed by us.
	•		Regulatory compliance services include new-hire reporting and garnishment processing, which allow employers to comply with legal requirements and reduce the risk of penalties.

In addition to the above, our software-as-a-service solution through the MMS platform provides human resource management, employee benefits management, time and attendance systems, online expense reporting, and applicant tracking.

Our Human Resource Services include the services that follow.

•

Comprehensive human resource outsourcing services are provided through Paychex Premier® Human Resources and our Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”). Both offer a package that includes payroll and compliance, human resource and employee benefits administration, and the on-site availability of a professionally trained human resource representative, among other services. With our PEO we serve as co-employer of the clients’ employees, assume the risks and rewards of workers’ compensation insurance, and provide more sophisticated health care offerings to PEO clients.

	•		Retirement services administration offers a variety of retirement plan options to employers, as well as recordkeeping services which include plan implementation, ongoing compliance with government regulations, employee and employer reporting, participant and employer access online, electronic funds transfer, and other administrative services.
	•		Health and benefits services provide insurance through a variety of carriers, simplifying the insurance process for clients and allowing them to offer valuable benefits to their employees at an affordable cost.
	•		Workers’ compensation insurance services provide insurance through a variety of carriers and enable clients to pay premiums in regular monthly amounts rather than with large up-front payments, which helps stabilize their cash flow.
	•		Time and attendance solutions help employers minimize the time spent compiling time sheet information, allowing flexibility for the employer and improved productivity, accuracy, and reliability in the payroll process.
	•		Other human resource services and products include section 125 plans, state unemployment insurance services, employee handbooks, management manuals, and personnel and required regulatory forms.

Overview

The weak economic conditions, credit crisis in the financial markets, and extremely low investment rates of return on our funds held for clients of the last twelve months continue to impact our financial results for the first half of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2010 (“fiscal 2010”). The weak economy affects our ability to sell and retain clients, reduces our transaction volumes due to fewer employees in our client base, and results in lower average investment balances in our funds held for clients.

Although the economy remains weak, our key indicators have stabilized with consecutive quarter comparisons continuing to improve in fiscal 2010. The year-over-year change in some of our key indicators for the three months ended November 30, 2009. (the “second quarter”), the three months ended August 31, 2009 (the “first quarter”), and the three months ended May 31, 2009 (the “fourth quarter”) are as follows:

		Second				First				Fourth
		quarter				quarter				quarter
% Change		fiscal 2010				fiscal 2010				fiscal 2009
Checks per client			(3.7	%)			(5.0	%)			(5.2	%)
New client sales from new business starts			(8	%)			(13	%)			(27	%)
Clients lost due to companies going out of business or no longer having any employees			(9	%)			1	%			19	%

Highlights of the financial results for the second quarter as compared to the same period last year are as follows:

	•		Payroll service revenue decreased 7% to $350.8 million.
	•		Human Resource Services revenue increased 3% to $132.2 million.
	•		Total revenue decreased 5% to $496.6 million.

	•		Operating income decreased 9% to $193.1 million, as interest on funds held for clients decreased 31%.
	•		Operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients decreased 7% to $179.5 million. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” section below for further information on this non-GAAP measure.
	•		Net income and diluted earnings per share decreased 10% to $125.8 million and $0.35 per share, respectively.

Our service revenue for the second quarter decreased 4% compared to the same period last year. Weak economic conditions negatively impacted our client base and check volume. Despite the economic pressures, we continue to focus on providing excellent customer service, and invest in our sales force for key areas and technological infrastructure, while controlling expenses.

The credit crisis in the financial markets caused a flight to quality investments, resulting in lower available yields on high quality investments. The average rate of return earned on our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolio was 1.7% for the second quarter compared to 2.4% for the same period last year. We have seen stabilization here as well, as the 1.7% average interest rate earned is comparable with the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Our short-term portfolio has been heavily invested in taxable securities and our short-term taxable interest rates earned averaged 0.1% for the second quarter compared to 1.4% for the same period last year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In addition to reporting operating income, a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) measure, we present operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients, which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients is an appropriate additional measure, as it is an indicator of our core business operations performance period over period. It is also the measure used internally for establishing the following year’s targets and measuring management’s performance in connection with certain performance-based compensation payments and awards. Interest on funds held for clients is an adjustment to operating income due to the volatility of interest rates, which are not within the control of management. Operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients is not calculated through the application of GAAP and is not the required form of disclosure by the SEC. As such, it should not be considered as a substitute for the GAAP measure of operating income and, therefore, should not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with the GAAP measure. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies. Operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients decreased 7% to $179.5 million and 9% to $355.6 million for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009 as compared to the same periods last year. Refer to the reconciliation of operating income to operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients on page 30 of this Form 10-Q.

Financial Position and Liquidity

We continue to follow our conservative investment strategy of maximizing liquidity and protecting principal. With the turmoil in the financial markets, this has translated to significantly lower yields on high quality instruments, negatively impacting our income earned on funds held for clients and corporate investments. During the past year, our primary short-term investment vehicle has been U.S. agency discount notes. However, we have seen gradual improvements in liquidity in certain money market sectors, and during the second quarter we began to invest in select A-1/P-1-rated variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”). We are currently earning an after-tax rate of approximately 0.18% on VRDNs compared to approximately 0.04% for U.S. agency discount notes.

We invest primarily in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings and short-term securities with A-1/P-1 ratings. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer. All investments held as of November 30, 2009 are traded in active markets. Despite the macroeconomic environment, as of November 30, 2009, our financial position remained strong with cash and total corporate investments of $604.7 million and no debt.

Our primary source of cash is from our ongoing operations. Cash flow from operations was $279.2 million for the six months ended November 30, 2009, as compared with $328.4 million for the six months ended November 30, 2008. The decrease in cash flow from operations primarily related to lower net income. Historically, we have funded operations, capital purchases, and dividend payments from our operating activities. It is anticipated that cash and total corporate investments as of November 30, 2009, along with projected operating cash flows, will support our normal business operations, capital purchases, and dividend payments for the foreseeable future.

For further analysis of our results of operations for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009, and our financial position as of November 30, 2009, refer to the analysis and discussion in the “Results of Operations,” “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and “Critical Accounting Policies” sections of this Form 10-Q.

Outlook

Our outlook for the full year fiscal 2010 is unchanged from guidance provided at the end of the first quarter. This guidance reflects the impact of current economic and financial conditions, and assumes these conditions will continue through the remainder of the fiscal year. Refer to page 22 for information on some of our key indicators, which provides statistical evidence of the economic weakness experienced in the first half of fiscal 2010.

Consistent with our policy regarding guidance, our projections do not anticipate or speculate on future changes in interest rates. Projected changes in revenue and net income for fiscal 2010 are as follows:

		Low						High
Payroll service revenue			(7	%)		—			(5	%)
Human Resource Services revenue			3	%		—			6	%
Total service revenue			(5	%)		—			(2	%)
Interest on funds held for clients			(30	%)		—			(25	%)
Total revenue			(5	%)		—			(2	%)
Investment income, net			(35	%)		—			(30	%)
Net income			(12	%)		—			(10	%)

Operating income excluding interest on funds held for clients as a percentage of service revenue is expected to range from 34% to 35% for fiscal 2010. The effective income tax rate is expected to approximate 35% throughout fiscal 2010. The higher tax rate for fiscal 2010 is driven by higher state income tax rates resulting from state legislative changes.

Interest on funds held for clients and investment income for fiscal 2010 are expected to be impacted by interest rate volatility, and comparisons to the prior year are expected to improve in the second half of fiscal 2010. Interest on funds held for clients will be further impacted by a projected 8% decline in average invested balances for fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year. This decline is the result of overall economic factors, which have negatively impacted our client base, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “2009 economic stimulus package”) generating lower tax withholdings for client employees. As of November 30, 2009, the long-term investment portfolio had an average yield-to-maturity of 3.0% and an average duration of 2.6 years. In the next twelve months, slightly less than 15% of this portfolio will mature, and it is currently anticipated that these proceeds will be reinvested at a lower average interest rate of approximately 1.1%.

Based upon current interest rate and economic conditions, we expect interest on funds held for clients and investment income to (decrease)/increase by the following amounts in the remaining quarters of fiscal 2010:

		Interest on
		funds held for				Investment
Fiscal 2010		clients				income, net
Third quarter			(20%)				15	%
Fourth quarter			(15%)				55	%

Under normal financial market conditions, the impact to our earnings from a 25-basis-point increase or decrease in the short-term interest rates would be approximately $3.5 million, after taxes, for a twelve-month period. Such a basis point change may or may not be tied to changes in the Federal Funds rate.

Purchases of property and equipment for fiscal 2010 are expected to be in the range of $60 million to $65 million, in line with our growth rates. Fiscal 2010 depreciation expense is projected to be approximately $65 million, and we project amortization of intangible assets to be approximately $20 million to $25 million.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary of Results of Operations:

		For the three months													For the six months
		ended													ended
		November 30,													November 30,
$ in millions		2009				2008				% Change					2009				2008				% Change
Revenue:
Payroll service revenue		$	350.8			$	376.1				(7	%)			$	705.2			$	754.5				(7	%)
Human Resource Services revenue			132.2				128.3				3	%				264.3				259.7				2	%
Total service revenue			483.0				504.4				(4	%)				969.5				1,014.2				(4	%)
Interest on funds held for clients			13.6				19.8				(31	%)				27.3				44.0				(38	%)
Total revenue			496.6				524.2				(5	%)				996.8				1,058.2				(6	%)
Combined operating and SG&A expenses			303.5				312.3				(3	%)				613.9				624.7				(2	%)
Operating income			193.1				211.9				(9	%)				382.9				433.5				(12	%)
As a % of total revenue			39	%			40	%								38	%			41	%
Investment income, net			1.1				1.9				(41	%)				2.1				5.0				(59	%)
Income before income taxes			194.2				213.8				(9	%)				385.0				438.5				(12	%)
As a % of total revenue			39	%			41	%								39	%			41	%
Income taxes			68.4				73.6				(7	%)				135.5				149.5				(9	%)
Effective income tax rate			35.2	%			34.4	%								35.2	%			34.1	%
Net income		$	125.8			$	140.2				(10	%)			$	249.5			$	289.0				(14	%)
As a % of total revenue			25	%			27	%								25	%			27	%
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.39				(10	%)			$	0.69			$	0.80				(14	%)

We invest in highly liquid, investment-grade fixed income securities and do not utilize derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk. As of November 30, 2009, we had no exposure to high-risk or illiquid investments. Details regarding our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios are as follows:

		For the three months													For the six months
		ended													ended
		November 30,													November 30,
$ in millions		2009				2008				% Change					2009				2008				% Change
Average investment balances:
Funds held for clients		$	2,790.8			$	3,088.3				(10	%)			$	2,849.0			$	3,154.2				(10	%)
Corporate investments			627.1				510.2				23	%				622.8				497.3				25	%
Total		$	3,417.9			$	3,598.5				(5	%)			$	3,471.8			$	3,651.5				(5	%)
Average interest rates earned (exclusive of net realized gains):
Funds held for clients			1.8	%			2.5	%								1.8	%			2.7	%
Corporate investments			0.9	%			1.6	%								0.8	%			2.1	%
Combined funds held for clients and corporate investments			1.7	%			2.4	%								1.7	%			2.7	%
Net realized gains:
Funds held for clients		$	0.7			$	0.4								$	1.0			$	0.7
Corporate investments			—				—									—				—
Total		$	0.7			$	0.4								$	1.0			$	0.7

As of:		November 30,				May 31,
$ in millions		2009				2009
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities (1)		$	78.8			$	66.7
Federal Funds rate (2)			0.25	%			0.25	%
Three-year “AAA” municipal securities yield			0.93	%			1.35	%
Total fair value of available-for-sale securities		$	2,249.9			$	1,780.9
Weighted-average duration of available-for-sale securities in years (3)			2.6				2.5
Weighted-average yield-to-maturity of available-for-sale securities (3)			3.0	%			3.3	%

(1)		The net unrealized gain of our investment portfolio was approximately $79.2 million as of December 11, 2009.
(2)		The Federal Funds rate was a range of 0% to 0.25% as of November 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009.
(3)		These items exclude the impact of VRDNs as they are tied to short-term interest rates.

Payroll service revenue: Payroll service revenue decreased 7% for both the second quarter and six months ended November 30, 2009 (“six months”) from the same periods last year. Weak economic conditions negatively impacted our client base and check volume. During the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2010, checks per client declined 3.7% and 4.3%, respectively. New client sales from new business starts declined 8% and 10% for the second quarter and six months, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. Our client base declined less than 1% from May 31, 2009.

Our payroll tax administration services were utilized by 94% of all clients as of November 30, 2009 compared with 93% as of November 30, 2008. Our employee payment services were utilized by 74% of all clients as of November 30, 2009 and 2008. Nearly all new clients purchase our payroll tax administration services and more than 80% of new clients select a form of employee payment services.

Human Resource Services revenue: Human Resource Services revenue increased 3% to $132.2 million and 2% to $264.3 million for the second quarter and six months, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The following factors contributed to Human Resource Services revenue growth:

As of:		November 30,								November 30,
$ in billions		2009				% Change				2008				% Change(1)
Comprehensive human resource outsourcing services client employees served			468,000				5	%			445,000				11	%
Comprehensive human resource outsourcing services clients			19,000				8	%			17,000				15	%
Workers’ compensation insurance clients			78,000				5	%			75,000				11	%
Retirement services clients			50,000				(1	%)			50,000				10	%
Asset value of retirement services client employees’ funds			$      10.3				43	%			$      7.2				(22	%)

(1)		Percent change compared to balances as of November 30, 2007.

Positively contributing to Human Resource Services revenue growth is our health and benefits services revenue which increased 54% to $7.4 million for the second quarter and 46% to $14.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010. Human Resource Services products that primarily support our MMS clients have experienced growth for the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2010 compared to the same periods last year. In addition, fluctuations in workers’ compensation claims have resulted in favorability in PEO net service revenue.

Offsetting some of this revenue growth has been the impact from weak economic conditions on our client base and fee revenue. The most significant impacts have been to retirement services and comprehensive human resource outsourcing services. Our retirement services client base is flat compared to a year ago. While our comprehensive human resource services client base has grown, the rate of growth is lower than we have seen historically, and we are experiencing fewer employees per client.

Our retirement services revenue is down for both the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2010 compared to the same periods last year, partly as a result of the economic impacts previously noted. The asset value of retirement services client employees’ funds has increased 43% from the lowest point in fiscal 2009 of $7.2 billion at February 28, 2009, as a result of recovery in the financial markets. This positive impact has been offset by retirement services client employees shifting the mix of assets invested to funds earning lower fees.

Also, retirement services revenue growth was impacted by $3.4 million and $5.1 million for billings in the three and six months ended November 30, 2008, respectively, related to statutory required restatements of clients’ retirement plans which are not expected to recur for approximately six years.

During the second quarter, we sold Stromberg time and attendance, an immaterial component of Paychex. Our Human Resource Services revenue growth excluding Stromberg revenue and the retirement plan restatement billings would have been as follows for the second quarter and six months, respectively, and comparative prior year periods.

		For the three months									For the six months
		ended									ended
		November 30,									November 30,
% Change		2009				2008					2009				2008
Human Resource Services revenue, as reported			3	%			11	%				2	%			14	%
Human Resource Services revenue excluding Stromberg revenue and retirement plan restatement billings			9	%			9	%				5	%			12	%