Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management solutions worldwide. It operates in two segments, Employer Services and Professional Employer Organization (PEO). The Employer Services segment offers strategic, cloud-based platforms, and human resources (HR) outsourcing solutions. Its offerings include payroll, benefits administration, talent management, HR management, workforce management, insurance, retirement, and compliance services. The PEO Services segment provides HR outsourcing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses through a co-employment model. This segment offers benefits package, protection and compliance, talent engagement, comprehensive outsourcing, and recruitment process outsourcing services. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey.
Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 28th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $212.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Monday, May 2nd. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing to $280.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 9th. Cowen upped their target price on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $225.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 28th. Finally, Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $225.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Automatic Data Processing presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $233.73.
Automatic Data Processing Trading Up 0.3 %
Automatic Data Processing stock traded up $0.86 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $257.64. The company's stock had a trading volume of 10,130 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,862,929. Automatic Data Processing has a one year low of $192.26 and a one year high of $257.16. The stock has a market cap of $107.05 billion, a PE ratio of 36.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a 50 day moving average of $221.37 and a 200-day moving average of $217.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99.
Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP - Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 27th. The business services provider reported $1.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $4.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.05 billion. Automatic Data Processing had a return on equity of 66.25% and a net margin of 17.87%. The company's revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.20 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Automatic Data Processing will post 8.04 EPS for the current year.
Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, October 1st. Investors of record on Friday, September 9th will be issued a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 8th. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.61%. Automatic Data Processing's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.34%.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In related news, VP Augusto J. Blanchard sold 567 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.64, for a total value of $119,432.88. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 4,238 shares in the company, valued at approximately $892,692.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Donald Weinstein sold 10,150 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $2,537,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 41,035 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,258,750. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Augusto J. Blanchard sold 567 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.64, for a total value of $119,432.88. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 4,238 shares of the company's stock, valued at $892,692.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.