AAPL vs. ADP

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

AAPL (Apple Inc) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. AAPL operates in Consumer Electronics (Technology), while ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, AAPL returned 29.85%/yr vs 12.74%/yr for ADP. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AAPL vs. ADP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Apple Inc (AAPL) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPL achieves a 13.26% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -9.08% return. Over the past 10 years, AAPL has outperformed ADP with an annualized return of 29.85%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively lower 12.74% annualized return.

AAPL

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 7.00%
• YTD: 13.26%
• 6M: 10.45%
• 1Y: 53.80%
• 3Y*: 20.25%
• 5Y*: 20.16%
• 10Y*: 29.85%

ADP

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 11.94%
• YTD: -9.08%
• 6M: -10.03%
• 1Y: -27.11%
• 3Y*: 4.66%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAPL vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAPL Apple Inc	13.26%	9.05%	30.71%	49.01%	-26.40%	34.65%	82.31%	88.96%	-5.39%	48.46%
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc.	-9.08%	-10.18%	28.41%	-0.25%	-1.29%	42.60%	5.86%	32.71%	14.25%	16.54%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPL and ADP is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 1983	0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between AAPL and ADP has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap AAPL : $4.54T ADP : $93.31B
EPS AAPL : $8.24 ADP : $10.72
PE Ratio AAPL : 37.32 ADP : 21.64
PEG Ratio AAPL : 4.91 ADP : 1.63
PS Ratio AAPL : 10.13 ADP : 4.35
PB Ratio AAPL : 42.62 ADP : 14.69
Total Revenue (TTM) AAPL : $451.44B ADP : $21.60B
Gross Profit (TTM) AAPL : $216.07B ADP : $10.26B
EBITDA (TTM) AAPL : $153.63B ADP : $6.51B

Return for Risk

AAPL vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAPL

AAPL Risk / Return Rank: 89
AAPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
AAPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
AAPL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
AAPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
AAPL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

ADP

ADP Risk / Return Rank: 9
ADP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
ADP Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ADP Omega Ratio Rank: 6
ADP Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
ADP Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAPL vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Apple Inc (AAPL) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AAPL	ADP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	-1.12	+3.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	-1.60	+4.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	0.81	+0.62
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.92	-0.67	+4.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.86	-1.19	+11.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAPL vs. ADP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPL Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the ADP Sharpe Ratio of -1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPL and ADP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAPL	ADP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	-1.12	+3.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.25	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.04	0.52	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.54	-0.10

Drawdowns

AAPL vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPL drawdown since its inception was -81.80%, which is greater than ADP's maximum drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPL and ADP.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPL	ADP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.80%	-59.51%	-22.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.80%	-40.78%	+26.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.36%	-40.78%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.36%	-40.78%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.52%	-40.78%	+2.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.49%	-27.24%	+24.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.61%	-12.59%	-17.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.47%	22.81%	-17.34%

Volatility

AAPL vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Apple Inc (AAPL) is 5.23%, while Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a volatility of 9.59%. This indicates that AAPL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ADP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPL	ADP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.23%	9.59%	-4.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.92%	20.39%	-4.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.35%	24.27%	-1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.45%	22.04%	+5.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.89%	24.47%	+4.42%

Dividends

AAPL vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison

AAPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than ADP's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAPL Apple Inc	0.34%	0.38%	0.40%	0.49%	0.70%	0.49%	0.61%	1.04%	1.79%	1.45%	1.93%	1.93%
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc.	2.79%	2.46%	1.96%	2.21%	1.83%	1.55%	2.08%	1.92%	2.14%	2.00%	2.10%	2.36%

Financials

AAPL vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Apple Inc and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

AAPL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Apple Inc reported a gross profit of 54.78B and revenue of 111.18B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 49.3%.

ADP - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.87B and revenue of 5.94B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 48.3%.

AAPL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Apple Inc reported an operating income of 35.89B and revenue of 111.18B, resulting in an operating margin of 32.3%.

ADP - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.79B and revenue of 5.94B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.1%.

AAPL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Apple Inc reported a net income of 29.58B and revenue of 111.18B, resulting in a net margin of 26.6%.

ADP - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a net income of 1.36B and revenue of 5.94B, resulting in a net margin of 22.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAPL and ADP in my portfolio?

AAPL and ADP have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAPL or ADP?

ADP has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to AAPL (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPL dropped -81.80% vs ADP's -59.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs -1.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.