Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) AI Stock Analysis
ADP AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) provides cloud-based human capital management solutions across its Employer Services and PEO Services segments. In FY2026, the company generated $21.95B in revenue and $4.41B in net income, while delivering $5.24B in free cash flow. ADP trades at a trailing P/E of 26.4x and offers a 2.35% dividend yield.
- Market cap
- $114.48B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $21.95B
- P/E
- 26.4x fwd 22.0x
- 1Y return
- 6.1% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $286.40 -0.9% vs last close
Bull case
- Free cash flow grew to $5.24B in FY2026, enabling $2.08B in share buybacks and $2.63B in dividends paid.
- The company has paid dividends for 53 consecutive years with an annualized 5-year dividend growth rate of 11.5%.
- ADP trades at a forward P/E of 22.0x and EV to EBITDA of 16.0x, both below the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers.
Bear case
- Operating margin dropped from 26.3% in FY2025 to 18.6% in FY2026.
- The stock returned 6.1% over the past year, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%.
- The consensus mean price target of $286.40 sits 0.9% below the last close of $288.90.
What ADP does
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) is a global provider of cloud-based human capital management solutions. It operates through two primary segments: Employer Services and Professional Employer Organization (PEO). The Employer Services segment offers cloud-based platforms for payroll, benefits administration, talent management, HR management, workforce management, insurance, retirement, and compliance services. Through its PEO Services segment, ADP provides HR outsourcing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses using a co-employment model, giving clients access to benefits packages, compliance management, talent engagement strategies, and recruitment process outsourcing.
Growth and profitability
ADP expanded revenue from $16.50B in FY2022 to $21.95B in FY2026, delivering a 5-year revenue CAGR of 7.9%. Revenue grew 6.7% in FY2026, following 7.1% growth in FY2025. Gross margin was 48.2% in FY2026 compared to 50.8% in FY2025, while operating margin was 18.6% versus 26.3% in FY2025. Net income rose from $2.95B in FY2022 to $4.41B in FY2026, producing a net margin of 20.1% and diluted EPS of $11.12. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue growth was 6.8% year-over-year, and quarterly earnings grew 9.8% year-over-year.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, ADP held $4.23B in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $5.27B, resulting in net debt of $1.04B. Shareholders' equity totaled $6.03B, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.05. In FY2026, operating cash flow reached $5.44B and free cash flow was $5.24B. The company deployed cash by spending $196.6M on capital expenditures, returning $2.08B to share buybacks, and distributing $2.63B in dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
ADP carries a market capitalization of $114.48B and an enterprise value of $105.79B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 26.4x and a forward P/E of 22.0x, below the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers of 43.3x and 25.7x, respectively. Its price-to-sales multiple is 5.2x compared to the peer median of 12.4x, while EV to EBITDA stands at 16.0x against the peer median of 32.8x. Over the past year, ADP returned 6.1%, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, and gained 51.7% over 5 years versus 83.0% for the index.
ADP dividend
ADP pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward payout of $6.80, representing a dividend yield of 2.35%. The payout ratio stands at 61.2%. The company has paid dividends for 53 consecutive years, with an annualized 5-year dividend growth rate of 11.5%. Its last ex-dividend date was September 11, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 4 Strong Buy, 0 Buy, 12 Hold, 1 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $286.40, which is 0.9% below the last close of $288.90. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, consensus estimates project revenue of $23.23B and EPS of $12.26, indicating 10.3% EPS growth. ADP beat EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 28, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Operating margin declined to 18.6% in FY2026 from 26.3% in FY2025, highlighting pressure on operational profitability.
- Quarterly revenue growth of 6.8% remains well below the 31.9% median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers.
- Total debt of $5.27B exceeds cash and short-term investments of $4.23B, leaving net debt at $1.04B.
- A high price-to-book ratio of 17.8x leaves limited asset backing relative to its market capitalization of $114.48B.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this ADP AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: ADP income statement, ADP balance sheet, ADP key metrics, ADP analyst forecast, ADP chart. See the ADP stock overview for the latest quote and news.
ADP AI stock analysis FAQ
What is ADP's current dividend yield and payout history?
ADP provides a forward dividend yield of 2.35% with an annual payout of $6.80 per share. The company has paid dividends for 53 consecutive years and maintains a payout ratio of 61.2%.
How did ADP perform financially in FY2026?
In FY2026, ADP generated $21.95B in revenue, up 6.7% year-over-year, and net income of $4.41B with diluted EPS of $11.12. Operating cash flow totaled $5.44B, resulting in free cash flow of $5.24B.
What are analysts' price targets and expectations for ADP?
Analysts maintain a mean price target of $286.40, representing a 0.9% decrease from the last close of $288.90. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, consensus estimates anticipate revenue of $23.23B and EPS of $12.26.
How does ADP's valuation compare to its technology peers?
ADP trades at a trailing P/E of 26.4x and EV to EBITDA of 16.0x, compared to the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers of 43.3x and 32.8x, respectively. Its price-to-sales ratio is 5.2x against the peer median of 12.4x.