Paychex (NASDAQ:PAYX) shares dropped over 5% intra-day today after the company announced its latest quarterly earnings, falling short of the consensus revenue forecast.

The company reported second-quarter earnings of $1.08 per share, slightly better than the analyst estimate of $1.07. However, its revenue, which increased by 6% year-over-year, totaled $1.26 billion, just below the expected $1.27 billion.

Despite these figures, Paychex noted that the macroeconomic environment remains generally stable for small and mid-sized businesses. They acknowledged challenges related to the cost and accessibility of growth capital, as well as difficulties in recruiting quality talent. The company's Small Business Employment Watch indicates a moderation in both job growth and wage inflation.

Looking forward to the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024, Paychex expects its PEO and Insurance Solutions revenue to grow by 7% to 9%. Other income is projected to be in the range of $35 million to $40 million. The company also anticipates adjusted earnings per share growth of 10% to 11% for the year.