ADP vs. AFL
ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) and AFL (Aflac Incorporated) are both stocks. ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials), while AFL operates in Insurance - Life (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, ADP returned 12.33%/yr vs 15.69%/yr for AFL. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ADP vs. AFL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ADP achieves a -11.51% return, which is significantly lower than AFL's 6.72% return. Over the past 10 years, ADP has underperformed AFL with an annualized return of 12.33%, while AFL has yielded a comparatively higher 15.69% annualized return.
ADP
- 1D
- -2.31%
- 1M
- 5.59%
- YTD
- -11.51%
- 6M
- -13.44%
- 1Y
- -25.90%
- 3Y*
- 3.26%
- 5Y*
- 4.61%
- 10Y*
- 12.33%
AFL
- 1D
- -0.56%
- 1M
- 0.77%
- YTD
- 6.72%
- 6M
- 8.11%
- 1Y
- 17.35%
- 3Y*
- 21.79%
- 5Y*
- 18.33%
- 10Y*
- 15.69%
ADP vs. AFL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | -11.51% | -10.18% | 28.41% | -0.25% | -1.29% | 42.60% | 5.86% | 32.71% | 14.25% | 16.54% |
AFL Aflac Incorporated | 6.72% | 8.94% | 28.08% | 17.36% | 26.41% | 34.55% | -13.60% | 18.55% | 6.20% | 29.02% |
Correlation
The correlation between ADP and AFL is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 1984 | 0.35 |
The correlation between ADP and AFL shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.47 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
ADP:
$90.83B
AFL:
$59.95B
ADP:
$10.72
AFL:
$8.76
ADP:
21.06
AFL:
13.30
ADP:
1.59
AFL:
3.45
ADP:
4.24
AFL:
3.38
ADP:
14.30
AFL:
2.67
ADP:
$21.60B
AFL:
$18.22B
ADP:
$10.26B
AFL:
$8.70B
ADP:
$6.51B
AFL:
$6.67B
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Return for Risk
ADP vs. AFL — Risk / Return Rank
ADP
AFL
ADP vs. AFL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) and Aflac Incorporated (AFL). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ADP | AFL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.82 | 1.18 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.68 | 1.91 | -2.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.28 | 4.75 | -6.02 |
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Drawdowns
ADP vs. AFL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ADP drawdown since its inception was -59.51%, smaller than the maximum AFL drawdown of -82.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADP and AFL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ADP | AFL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.51% | -82.71% | +23.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -38.16% | -9.11% | -29.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.78% | -13.56% | -27.22% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.78% | -19.86% | -20.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.78% | -54.89% | +14.11% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -29.18% | -1.51% | -27.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.59% | -11.65% | -0.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 20.34% | 3.66% | +16.68% |
Volatility
ADP vs. AFL - Volatility Comparison
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a higher volatility of 9.59% compared to Aflac Incorporated (AFL) at 5.58%. This indicates that ADP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AFL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ADP | AFL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.59% | 5.58% | +4.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.52% | 12.26% | +8.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.27% | 17.06% | +7.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.07% | 20.94% | +1.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.49% | 25.76% | -1.27% |
Dividends
ADP vs. AFL - Dividend Comparison
ADP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, more than AFL's 2.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.87% | 2.46% | 1.96% | 2.21% | 1.83% | 1.55% | 2.08% | 1.92% | 2.14% | 2.00% | 2.10% | 2.36% |
AFL Aflac Incorporated | 2.04% | 2.10% | 1.93% | 2.04% | 2.22% | 2.26% | 2.52% | 2.04% | 2.28% | 1.98% | 2.39% | 2.64% |
Financials
ADP vs. AFL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Aflac Incorporated. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
ADP vs. AFL - Profitability Comparison
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%.
AFL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Aflac Incorporated reported a gross profit of 2.48B and revenue of 4.32B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 57.5%.
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%.
AFL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Aflac Incorporated reported an operating income of 1.23B and revenue of 4.32B, resulting in an operating margin of 28.4%.
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%.
AFL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Aflac Incorporated reported a net income of 1.02B and revenue of 4.32B, resulting in a net margin of 23.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
ADP and AFL have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ADP has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to AFL (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADP dropped -59.51% vs AFL's -82.71%.
AFL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.02 vs -1.07), 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.
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