ADP vs. ATO

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) and ATO (Atmos Energy Corporation) are both stocks. ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials), while ATO operates in Utilities - Regulated Gas (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, ADP returned 12.33%/yr vs 10.90%/yr for ATO. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ADP vs. ATO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADP achieves a -11.51% return, which is significantly lower than ATO's 1.49% return. Over the past 10 years, ADP has outperformed ATO with an annualized return of 12.33%, while ATO has yielded a comparatively lower 10.90% 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%

ATO

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -7.01%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 13.35%
• 10Y*: 10.90%

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

ADP vs. ATO - 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%
ATO Atmos Energy Corporation	1.49%	23.07%	23.35%	6.17%	9.63%	12.75%	-12.73%	23.14%	10.39%	18.41%

Correlation

The correlation between ADP and ATO is 0.07, 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	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1987	0.27

The correlation between ADP and ATO shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (1 year) to 0.36 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap ADP : $90.83B ATO : $28.23B
EPS ADP : $10.72 ATO : $8.23
PE Ratio ADP : 21.06 ATO : 20.45
PEG Ratio ADP : 1.59 ATO : 2.01
PS Ratio ADP : 4.24 ATO : 5.64
PB Ratio ADP : 14.30 ATO : 0.98
Total Revenue (TTM) ADP : $21.60B ATO : $4.88B
Gross Profit (TTM) ADP : $10.26B ATO : $1.61B
EBITDA (TTM) ADP : $6.51B ATO : $2.57B

Return for Risk

ADP vs. ATO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADP

ADP Risk / Return Rank: 10
ADP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
ADP Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
ADP Omega Ratio Rank: 7
ADP Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
ADP Martin Ratio Rank: 14

ATO

ATO Risk / Return Rank: 66
ATO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ATO Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ATO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ATO Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ATO Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

ADP vs. ATO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) and Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO). 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	ATO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	0.83	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.51	1.23	-2.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.15	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.68	1.02	-1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.28	3.11	-4.39

ADP vs. ATO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADP Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the ATO Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADP and ATO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ADP vs. ATO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADP drawdown since its inception was -59.51%, which is greater than ATO's maximum drawdown of -51.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADP and ATO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADP	ATO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.51%	-51.94%	-7.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.16%	-12.58%	-25.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.78%	-16.87%	-23.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.78%	-19.08%	-21.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.78%	-32.91%	-7.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.18%	-12.02%	-17.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.59%	-8.56%	-4.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.34%	4.12%	+16.22%

Volatility

ADP vs. ATO - Volatility Comparison

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a higher volatility of 9.59% compared to Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) at 5.15%. This indicates that ADP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ATO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADP	ATO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.59%	5.15%	+4.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.52%	11.21%	+9.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.27%	15.51%	+8.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.07%	18.59%	+3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.49%	21.24%	+3.25%

Dividends

ADP vs. ATO - Dividend Comparison

ADP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, more than ATO's 2.30% 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%
ATO Atmos Energy Corporation	2.30%	2.15%	2.36%	2.61%	2.48%	2.44%	2.46%	1.92%	2.14%	2.14%	2.31%	2.52%

Financials

ADP vs. ATO - Profitability Comparison

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

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%.

ATO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Atmos Energy Corporation reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 1.96B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.

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%.

ATO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Atmos Energy Corporation reported an operating income of 764.80M and revenue of 1.96B, resulting in an operating margin of 39.0%.

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%.

ATO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Atmos Energy Corporation reported a net income of 581.90M and revenue of 1.96B, resulting in a net margin of 29.7%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADP and ATO in my portfolio?

ADP and ATO have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADP or ATO?

ADP has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to ATO (5.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADP dropped -59.51% vs ATO's -51.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ATO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 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.