ADP vs. PAYX
ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) and PAYX (Paychex, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Staffing & Employment Services industry within the Industrials sector. Over the past 10 years, ADP returned 14.19%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for PAYX. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
ADP vs. PAYX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ADP achieves a 5.24% return, which is significantly lower than PAYX's 7.70% return. Over the past 10 years, ADP has outperformed PAYX with an annualized return of 14.19%, while PAYX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.47% annualized return.
ADP
- 1D
- 0.98%
- 1M
- 9.98%
- 6M
- 9.68%
- YTD
- 5.24%
- 1Y
- -8.85%
- 3Y*
- 4.81%
- 5Y*
- 7.24%
- 10Y*
- 14.19%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.17%
PAYX
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- 11.01%
- 6M
- 15.95%
- YTD
- 7.70%
- 1Y
- -12.45%
- 3Y*
- 1.18%
- 5Y*
- 3.69%
- 10Y*
- 10.47%
- ALL TIME*
- 18.25%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $692.52M | $605.05M | $636.26M | |
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | $415.46M | $367.73M | $350.34M |
ADP vs. PAYX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 5.24% | -10.18% | 28.41% | -0.25% | -1.29% | 42.60% | 5.86% | 32.71% | 14.25% | 16.54% |
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 7.70% | -17.49% | 21.31% | 6.21% | -13.16% | 50.16% | 13.25% | 34.53% | -1.08% | 15.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between ADP and PAYX is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.83 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.84 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.52 |
Over the past year, ADP and PAYX have become more correlated (0.83) than their long-term average of 0.52, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
ADP:
$106.51B
PAYX:
$41.56B
ADP:
$10.94
PAYX:
$4.88
ADP:
24.35
PAYX:
23.93
ADP:
2.07
PAYX:
3.82
ADP:
4.90
PAYX:
6.47
ADP:
17.65
PAYX:
11.21
ADP:
$21.95B
PAYX:
$6.51B
ADP:
$10.58B
PAYX:
$4.84B
ADP:
$6.35B
PAYX:
$2.90B
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Return for Risk
ADP vs. PAYX — Risk / Return Rank
ADP
PAYX
ADP vs. PAYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) and Paychex, Inc. (PAYX). 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 | PAYX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 0.92 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.31 | -0.41 | +0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.54 | -0.66 | +0.12 |
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Drawdowns
ADP vs. PAYX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ADP drawdown since its inception was -59.51%, smaller than the maximum PAYX drawdown of -64.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADP and PAYX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ADP | PAYX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.51% | -64.85% | +5.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -37.68% | -38.17% | +0.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.78% | -44.95% | +4.17% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.78% | -44.95% | +4.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.78% | -44.95% | +4.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.78% | -23.07% | +7.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.63% | -18.00% | +5.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 21.40% | 25.04% | -3.64% |
Volatility
ADP vs. PAYX - Volatility Comparison
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) and Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) have volatilities of 10.56% and 10.62%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ADP | PAYX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.56% | 10.62% | -0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.32% | 23.27% | +0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.92% | 27.68% | -0.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.72% | 24.36% | -1.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.71% | 25.46% | -0.75% |
Dividends
ADP vs. PAYX - Dividend Comparison
ADP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than PAYX's 3.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.49% | 2.46% | 1.96% | 2.21% | 1.83% | 1.55% | 2.08% | 1.92% | 2.14% | 2.00% | 2.10% | 2.36% |
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 3.89% | 3.76% | 2.73% | 2.90% | 2.62% | 1.90% | 2.66% | 2.85% | 3.35% | 2.82% | 2.89% | 3.03% |
Financials
ADP vs. PAYX - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Paychex, Inc.. 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. PAYX - Profitability Comparison
ADP - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.90B and revenue of 5.47B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 53.0%.
PAYX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.19B and revenue of 1.61B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 74.0%.
ADP - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.14B and revenue of 5.47B, resulting in an operating margin of 20.8%.
PAYX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported an operating income of 604.70M and revenue of 1.61B, resulting in an operating margin of 37.7%.
ADP - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a net income of 978.60M and revenue of 5.47B, resulting in a net margin of 17.9%.
PAYX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported a net income of 420.60M and revenue of 1.61B, resulting in a net margin of 26.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
ADP and PAYX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PAYX has higher volatility (10.62%) compared to ADP (10.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADP dropped -59.51% vs PAYX's -64.85%.
ADP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.43 vs -0.56), 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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