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Automatic Data Processing

ADP
67
Software - Application · Technology
Also trades as: 0HJI.L · ADP.DE
Price
$280.81
+1.60 (+0.57%)
Market Cap
$112.25B
Exchange
NASDAQ
Winston Score
67
Winston is curious
A decent business — some strong pillars, some weaker.
Data as of Aug 23, 2026 · filings through Jun 30, 2026
How the score breaks down
Quality
Strong
Growth
Strong
Cash Flow
Exceptional
Stability
Strong
Valuation
Good
Dividends
Strong

Share count falling — buybacks

5.1% over 4y

The company has reduced its share count over this period, returning value to shareholders through buybacks.

Diluted shares outstanding: 421.1M (2022) → 399.4M (2026)

Winston Score History

The full picture

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) helps businesses pay their employees and manage human resources tasks. Its core products include payroll processing, benefits administration, time tracking, and HR software. ADP serves businesses of all sizes — from small shops to large corporations — and is one of the largest payroll and HR services companies in the world.

ADP makes money by charging businesses recurring fees for its software and services, which creates a steady, subscription-like revenue stream. It operates primarily in the United States but also has a significant international presence across Europe and beyond, generating roughly $19 billion in annual revenue. A key part of ADP's business model is that it holds large amounts of client funds briefly before paying out wages, earning interest on that float — a meaningful income source when interest rates are high. The main risk is that falling interest rates would reduce that float income, while competition from newer payroll software companies like Workday and Paychex continues to pressure its market share.

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29 trades / 12mo

14 Congressional buys and 15 sells on ADP in the last 12 months.

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Growth Profile

When traditional metrics don't capture the full picture, these are the signals growth stock investors use instead.

Revenue Growth

+6.8% YoY

YoY Growth Rate

Slow revenue growth

EPS Growth

+9.4% YoY

YoY Growth Rate

Slow EPS growth

R&D Spend

$775M/ year

Declining (-22% vs prior year)

3.5% of revenue

Below sector average (15%)

R&D spend declining — could signal cost-cutting or efficiency

Insider Activity

0.2%ownership

Flat

Insider ownership roughly steady over the past year

Cash Position

Cash flow positive

$4.2B cash & investments

Quarterly Free Cash Flow

↑ Burn rate improving

Company generates more cash than it spends — no dilution risk from fundraising

Growth context

Automatic Data Processing is growing revenue at 7% year-over-year. The Winston Score measures business quality today — these growth metrics show what could matter tomorrow.

The Winston Score above measures business quality today. Growth stocks often score lower because they invest in the future rather than maximising current profits. These metrics show what matters most for evaluating that future.

Score breakdown

Every number that matters to educated investors.

Each metric is explained in plain language so you know exactly what you're looking at. Start your free trial now.

Quality

Profit per sale
Gross Margin
53.0%
Healthy — 53.0% gross margin
Profit after running costs
Operating Margin
20.8%
Excellent — 20.8% operating margin
Return on the money invested
ROCE
36.1%
Exceptional — 36.1% return on capital

ROIC above 25%. Every dollar invested in the business earns more than 25 cents back per year.

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Growth

Sales growth
Sales YoY
+6.7%
Slow sales growth (+6.7% YoY)
Profit growth
EPS YoY
+9.6%
Earnings growing (+9.6% YoY)

Single-digit earnings growth — steady but not exciting.

How steady the profit is
EPS Consistency
8/8 quarters
Every recent quarter grew earnings vs last year

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Cash Flow

Profit that turns into cash
Cash Conversion
121%
Turns 121% of profit into real cash
Spare cash per sale
FCF Margin
22.7%
Converts sales into free cash efficiently (22.7%)

Free cash flow margin above 20%. Out of every $100 in sales, more than $20 is real cash they keep.

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Stability

What it owes vs what it owns
Debt / Equity
0.87
Moderate — manageable debt (0.87)
Covers its interest
Interest Cover
8.88x
Comfortably covers interest (8.9x)

Interest coverage above 8. Profits cover interest many times over.

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Valuation

Price vs profit
P/E Ratio (TTM)
25.6x
Growth-priced — P/E 25.6

P/E above the market average. People are paying up for expected growth.

Cheaper or dearer next year
P/E vs Forward
+3.5
GROWING
Earnings expected to grow meaningfully — cheaper on forward P/E (25.6 → 22.1)

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Dividends

Dividend
Dividend Yield
2.46%
Moderate income — 2.46% yield

Standard yield zone for stable dividend payers. A meaningful piece of total return.

Dividend record
Dividend Growth
+10.4%
Dividend growing fast (10.4% YoY)

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