1-Month PerformanceHighlighting the best and worst short-term performance, below is a one-month analysis of the index percent change for all nine U.S. regions, the 20 largest states and metro areas based on U.S. population, and eight major industry sectors.

12-Month TrendCalling out the best and worst long-term trends, below is a 12-Month analysis of the index percent change for all nine U.S. regions, the 20 largest states and metro areas based on U.S. population, and eight major industry sectors.

Small businesses play a pivotal role in the U.S. economy, accounting for nearly 95 percent of employers. They are a vital source of entrepreneurship and innovation. The Paychex | IHS Small Business Jobs Index tracks small business employment trends by measuring aggregated payroll data from the Paychex client base, and provides timely, accurate insight into national, regional, state, metro and insight into national, regional, state, metro and industry employment activity.

100.75-0.08%

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, HR, retirement, and insurance services. By combining its innovative software-as-a-service technology and mobility platform with dedicated, personal service, Paychex empowers small- and medium-sized business owners to focus on the growth and management of their business. Backed by more than 40 years of industry expertise, Paychex serves approximately 590,000 payroll industry expertise, Paychex serves approximately 590,000 payroll clients across 100 locations and pays one out of every 15 American private sector employees. Learn more about Paychex by visiting www.paychex.com, and stay connected on Twitter and LinkedIn.

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 140 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs approximately 8,600 people in 32 countries around the world.

2016 Paychex, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

+1.60%

DALLAS

+1.56%

PHOENIX

+1.38%

MIAMI

+1.87%

NEW JERSEY

+1.80%

ARIZONA

+1.30%

WISCONSIN

+0.79%

MOUNTAIN

-2.74%

HOUSTON

-2.38%

ATLANTA

-1.56%

MINNEAPOLIS

-2.30%

GEORGIA

-1.83%

INDIANA

-1.13%

TEXAS

-2.08%

WEST NORTH CENTRAL

-1.02%

ST. LOUIS

-0.49%

CHICAGO

-0.22%

SAN DIEGO

-0.50%

MISSOURI

-0.35%

ILLINOIS

-0.25%

GEORGIA

WEST NORTH CENTRAL

-0.28%

+1.85%

TAMPA BAY

+0.64%

HOUSTON

+0.60%

MINNEAPOLIS

+0.93%

TENNESSEE

+0.63%

NORTH CAROLINA

+0.62%

INDIANA

+0.77%

EAST SOUTH CENTRAL

+0.33%3-Month National Trend

After a strong start to 2016, the PPaychex | IHS Small Business Jobs Index increased further in February as the pace of small business growth is up 0.33 percent in the last quarter. Moreover, the back-to back gains in January and February were the first consecutive increases in a year.

12-MONTH CHANGE

BY INDUSTRYBY INDUSTRY

-0.48%

MANUFACTURING

BY INDUSTRYBY INDUSTRY

+0.37%

CONSTRUCTION

BY INDUSTRYBY INDUSTRY

+1.22%

OTHER SERVICES (EXCEPT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION)

BY INDUSTRYBY INDUSTRY

-1.02%

MANUFACTURING