Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the finance and hr software stocks, including Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ) and its peers.

Organizations are constantly looking to improve organizational efficiencies, whether it is financial planning, tax management or payroll. Finance and HR software benefit from 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.

The 12 finance and hr software stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.6% above.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 7.5% since the latest earnings results.

Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ)

Powering the cards behind innovative fintech services like Block's Cash App, Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ) provides a cloud-based platform that allows businesses to create customized payment card programs and process card transactions.

Marqeta reported revenues of $165.8 million, up 19.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 12.7% since reporting and currently trades at $3.91.

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

Best Q1: Flywire (NASDAQ: FLYW)

Initially created to solve the challenges of international student tuition payments, Flywire (NASDAQ: FLYW) provides specialized payment processing and software solutions that help educational institutions, healthcare systems, travel companies, and businesses manage complex payments.

Flywire reported revenues of $184 million, up 42.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.2%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter topping analysts’ expectations.

Flywire pulled off the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 10.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $16.

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

Weakest Q1: American Express Global Business Travel (NYSE: GBTG)

Originally spun off from American Express in 2014 but maintaining the Amex GBT brand, Global Business Travel Group (NYSE: GBTG) provides end-to-end business travel and expense management solutions, connecting corporate clients with travel suppliers and offering specialized software services.

American Express Global Business Travel reported revenues of $840 million, up 35.3% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $9.36.

Read our full analysis of American Express Global Business Travel’s results here.

BILL (NYSE: BILL)

Transforming the messy back-office financial operations that plague small business owners, BILL (NYSE: BILL) provides a cloud-based platform that automates accounts payable, accounts receivable, and expense management for small and midsize businesses.

BILL reported revenues of $406.6 million, up 13.5% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 12.2% since reporting and currently trades at $33.08.

Read our full, actionable report on BILL here, it’s free.

Paylocity (NASDAQ: PCTY)

Operating in a field where companies traditionally juggled multiple disconnected systems, Paylocity (NASDAQ: PCTY) provides cloud-based human capital management and payroll software solutions that help businesses manage their workforce and HR processes.

Paylocity reported revenues of $502.3 million, up 10.5% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year EBITDA guidance beating analysts’ expectations.

Paylocity pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 7.4% since reporting and currently trades at $101.06.

Read our full, actionable report on Paylocity here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.