Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP Stock Acquired by Investment Partners LTD.

Investment Partners LTD. raised its position in shares of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 46.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,250 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,270 shares during the quarter. Investment Partners LTD.’s holdings in Automatic Data Processing were worth $2,645,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Polaris Financial Partners purchased a new position in shares of Automatic Data Processing in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its position in Automatic Data Processing by 2,740.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 142 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new stake in Automatic Data Processing during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC increased its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 59.2% during the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 156 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DecisionPoint Financial LLC raised its position in Automatic Data Processing by 5,133.3% in the third quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 157 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.03% of the company’s stock.

Automatic Data Processing Stock Performance

NASDAQ ADP opened at $293.84 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $116.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $277.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $240.83. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a twelve month low of $188.16 and a twelve month high of $309.40.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The business services provider reported $2.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.77 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $5.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.48 billion. Automatic Data Processing had a return on equity of 77.01% and a net margin of 20.33%. The firm’s revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.49 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 12.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Automatic Data Processing Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 1st. Investors of record on Friday, September 11th were given a dividend of $1.70 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio is currently 60.28%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $216.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Automatic Data Processing from $286.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on Automatic Data Processing from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Automatic Data Processing from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $283.27.

Insider Activity at Automatic Data Processing

In other Automatic Data Processing news, VP Joseph Desilva sold 631 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.87, for a total value of $178,490.97. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 18,824 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,324,744.88. The trade was a 3.24% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Maria Black sold 29,810 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.91, for a total transaction of $8,373,927.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 80,624 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,648,087.84. This represents a 26.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 31,359 shares of company stock valued at $8,809,422. Insiders own 0.15% of the company’s stock.

Automatic Data Processing News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Raised fiscal 2027 outlook: ADP now forecasts 10%–12% growth in adjusted earnings per share and raised its outlook for client-funds interest revenue to $1.59 billion–$1.61 billion. The improved guidance is the clearest near-term catalyst for the stock. ADP forecasts fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS growth
• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results exceeded expectations: ADP reported earnings of $2.82 per share versus the $2.77 consensus estimate, while revenue of $5.49 billion modestly topped forecasts and increased 6.1% year over year. Management also highlighted AI momentum during the earnings call. ADP fiscal 2027 first-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts see additional upside: Guggenheim reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $340 price target, while Stifel raised its target to $305. Jefferies also lifted its target, although it retained an Underperform rating. Guggenheim ADP rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Expansion in small-business payroll: ADP is broadening its reach among small-business customers, a move that could support long-term client and revenue growth but may require additional investment. ADP small-business payroll expansion
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and analyst caution: Citi, Morgan Stanley, and RBC maintain neutral or equivalent ratings with targets around $288–$295, while Jefferies remains bearish. A Seeking Alpha analysis also argues that investors should not chase the rally despite ADP’s attractive dividend-growth record. ADP dividend growth and valuation analysis

Automatic Data Processing Profile

Automatic Data Processing, Inc (NASDAQ: ADP) is a global provider of human capital management and business outsourcing solutions. The company helps employers manage payroll, human resources, workforce administration, benefits, tax compliance, time and attendance, talent management, and related employment processes.

ADP offers cloud-based platforms and services designed for businesses of various sizes, from small enterprises to large organizations. Its portfolio includes payroll processing, human resources management, employee benefits administration, retirement services, workforce management, data analytics, and professional employer organization services through ADP TotalSource.

Founded in 1949, ADP serves businesses in the United States and international markets.