Diversify Advisory Services LLC Has $2.53 Million Stock Holdings in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP

Diversify Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 57.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,612 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,135 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Automatic Data Processing were worth $2,528,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 30,110.7% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,668,758 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,439,845,000 after acquiring an additional 4,653,304 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing in the second quarter worth $696,841,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 32.1% in the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,273,700 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $960,831,000 after purchasing an additional 796,379 shares in the last quarter. Amundi boosted its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 24.9% during the second quarter. Amundi now owns 3,109,120 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $948,549,000 after purchasing an additional 619,829 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 26.6% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,812,637 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $867,445,000 after purchasing an additional 591,800 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.03% of the company’s stock.

Automatic Data Processing Price Performance

NASDAQ:ADP opened at $223.04 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $89.80 billion, a PE ratio of 21.45 and a beta of 0.86. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a 1-year low of $203.26 and a 1-year high of $329.93. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $238.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $262.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

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

Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio is presently 65.38%.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on ADP shares. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $303.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $272.00 to $262.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Automatic Data Processing from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “underperform” rating and set a $230.00 target price (down from $245.00) on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $290.00.

Insider Activity

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 completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 10,954 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,596,098. This trade represents a 2.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Christopher D’ambrosio sold 543 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $262.29, for a total value of $142,423.47. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 9,998 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,622,375.42. The trade was a 5.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 3,515 shares of company stock valued at $887,074 in the last 90 days. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.