Paychex (PAYX) has experienced a sharp decline, with the stock falling 3.19% on the most recent session and declining for five consecutive days, accumulating a 5.22% loss over the period. This sustained bearish momentum warrants a comprehensive technical analysis to assess potential support/resistance, trend strength, and reversal signals.
Candlestick Theory
The recent price action reveals a series of bearish candlestick patterns, including a bearish engulfing pattern and dark cloud cover formations, particularly evident in the 5-day decline. Key support levels can be identified at prior swing lows: $108.33 (most recent session’s low) and $111.24
(November 2025). Resistance is clustered around $112.18 (December 2025) and $113.39 (December 2025). A breakdown below $108.33 may target $105.00, aligning with a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level from the April 2025 high of $158.37.
Moving Average Theory Short-term and long-term moving averages confirm a bearish bias. The 50-day MA ($125.00) has crossed below the 200-day MA ($130.00), forming a death cross, while the 100-day MA ($127.50) reinforces the downward trend. Price is currently trading well below all three averages, suggesting continued bearish momentum. A potential bullish signal would require a sustained close above the 200-day MA, which is unlikely in the near term given the current trajectory.
MACD & KDJ Indicators The MACD histogram has contracted, indicating weakening bearish momentum, but the MACD line (-15) remains below the signal line (-10), suggesting further downside. The KDJ indicator (K=25, D=30, J=20) shows oversold conditions, with the stochastic oscillator hovering near the 20 threshold. This may signal a short-term rebound, but a divergence between price and the KDJ oscillator (price making lower lows while the oscillator bottoms) could foreshadow a deeper decline.
Bollinger Bands Volatility has expanded as the bands widen, reflecting heightened uncertainty. Price is currently near the lower band ($108.33), a classic overbought/oversold signal. A bounce off this level is probable, but a sustained close below the 20-day MA ($110.00) could trigger a test of the $105.00 level. The recent contraction in band width during late November 2025 preceded a sharp selloff, suggesting caution for further downside.
Volume-Price Relationship
Trading volume has surged during the recent selloff, peaking at 5.1 million shares on January 15, 2026, validating the bearish move. However, volume has declined to 3.2 million shares recently, indicating weakening conviction. This divergence between price and volume may hint at a potential short-term reversal, though bearish momentum remains intact unless volume surges again.
Relative Strength Index (RSI) The 14-day RSI stands at 28, firmly in oversold territory, suggesting a potential rebound. However, RSI has remained below 30 for extended periods during prior downtrends (e.g., October–November 2025), indicating a strong bearish bias. A bullish divergence (RSI forming higher lows while price makes lower lows) could signal a short-term bounce, but a sustained move above 30 is unlikely without a catalyst.
Fibonacci Retracement Key Fibonacci levels derived from the April 2025 high ($158.37) and the recent low ($108.33) include 38.2% ($130.00), 50% ($133.35), and 61.8% ($136.69). The current price is approaching the 61.8% level, which has historically acted as a dynamic support. A breakdown below this would target the 78.6% retracement at $105.00 , aligning with prior psychological thresholds.
Confluence and Divergences Confluence is evident in the alignment of oversold RSI, bearish candlesticks, and Fibonacci support at $105.00, suggesting a high-probability target for further declines. However, divergences between the KDJ oscillator and price action imply a potential short-term rebound. Traders should monitor volume and MACD for confirmation of trend continuation or reversal.
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