Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC Trims Stake in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP

Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 5.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 91,807 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 5,404 shares during the period. Automatic Data Processing comprises 1.1% of Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC’s holdings in Automatic Data Processing were worth $23,616,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ADP. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Automatic Data Processing during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Automatic Data Processing in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Automatic Data Processing in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Board of the Pension Protection Fund bought a new position in shares of Automatic Data Processing in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Y.D. More Investments Ltd bought a new position in shares of Automatic Data Processing in the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. 80.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have weighed in on ADP. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $306.00 price target for the company. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $270.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $230.00 price target (down from $245.00) on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $284.77.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP David Foskett sold 266 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.00, for a total value of $63,042.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 10,954 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,596,098. This trade represents a 2.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Brian L. Michaud sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.18, for a total transaction of $234,180.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 15,310 shares in the company, valued at $3,585,295.80. This represents a 6.13% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 2,352 shares of company stock valued at $552,834 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Automatic Data Processing

Here are the key news stories impacting Automatic Data Processing this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ADP declared a quarterly dividend of $1.70 per share (ex‑dividend June 12, payable July 1), implying a ~3.5% yield — a cash-return anchor that can support investor demand amid price weakness.
• Neutral Sentiment: Short‑interest data published for April appears non‑informative (reported as 0 shares with an NaN change and a 0.0 days‑to‑cover), so it provides no clear signal about bearish positioning right now.
• Neutral Sentiment: General market/company pages and quote services (CNN, Yahoo Finance) are updating ADP coverage and price data but contain no single new catalyst beyond routine reporting. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. – CNN Markets
• Neutral Sentiment: Company quote and news aggregation on Yahoo Finance provides updated metrics and headlines for investors monitoring intraday moves. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. – Yahoo Finance
• Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch reports ADP has fallen to a new 52‑week low — a technical sign that heightens downside risk and may prompt momentum selling and cautious positioning by momentum/quant funds. Automatic Data Processing Inc. stock falls to new 52-week low
• Negative Sentiment: BMO Capital trimmed ADP’s price target to $234, citing both cyclical and structural pressures on ADP’s business — an analyst action that can weaken sentiment and reduce comfort for long positions, particularly given ADP’s elevated valuation relative to near‑term growth risks. BMO Capital trims ADP target to $234

Automatic Data Processing Stock Performance

Shares of ADP opened at $188.79 on Monday. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a twelve month low of $188.16 and a twelve month high of $329.93. The company has a market cap of $76.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.15 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $213.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $246.73.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.05. Automatic Data Processing had a net margin of 19.96% and a return on equity of 68.44%. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.35 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Automatic Data Processing has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.091-11.011 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 9.93 EPS for the current year.

Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 12th will be paid a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 12th. This represents a $6.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio is currently 65.38%.

Automatic Data Processing declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Wednesday, January 14th that authorizes the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the business services provider to reacquire up to 5.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Automatic Data Processing

Automatic Data Processing, Inc (ADP) is a global provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) and payroll solutions. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey, ADP began as a payroll processing company and has evolved into a diversified provider of workforce management, HR, benefits administration, tax and compliance services, and analytics for employers of all sizes.

ADP’s product portfolio includes payroll processing and tax filing, time and attendance systems, benefits administration, talent management, and HR outsourcing.