BDX vs. ADP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BDX (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. BDX operates in Medical Instruments & Supplies (Healthcare), while ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, BDX returned 2.71%/yr vs 12.48%/yr for ADP. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BDX vs. ADP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) 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, BDX achieves a -3.95% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -10.73% return. Over the past 10 years, BDX has underperformed ADP with an annualized return of 2.71%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively higher 12.48% annualized return.

BDX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: -0.48%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -3.18%
• 1Y: 11.08%
• 3Y*: -8.04%
• 5Y*: -3.03%
• 10Y*: 2.71%

ADP

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 7.77%
• YTD: -10.73%
• 6M: -11.18%
• 1Y: -28.50%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 5.09%
• 10Y*: 12.48%

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

BDX vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company	-3.95%	-12.61%	-5.38%	-2.67%	5.08%	1.88%	-6.75%	22.20%	6.61%	31.24%
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc.	-10.73%	-10.18%	28.41%	-0.25%	-1.29%	42.60%	5.86%	32.71%	14.25%	16.54%

Correlation

The correlation between BDX and ADP is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 1987	0.34

The correlation between BDX and ADP shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.38 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap BDX : $40.86B ADP : $91.62B
EPS BDX : $3.99 ADP : $10.72
PE Ratio BDX : 36.52 ADP : 21.25
PS Ratio BDX : 1.94 ADP : 4.27
PB Ratio BDX : 1.69 ADP : 14.43
Total Revenue (TTM) BDX : $21.37B ADP : $21.60B
Gross Profit (TTM) BDX : $9.93B ADP : $10.26B
EBITDA (TTM) BDX : $4.16B ADP : $6.51B

Return for Risk

BDX vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDX

BDX Risk / Return Rank: 52
BDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
BDX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
BDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BDX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

ADP

ADP Risk / Return Rank: 7
ADP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
ADP Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ADP Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ADP Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
ADP Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

BDX vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) 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.

	BDX	ADP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	-1.18	+1.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	-1.71	+2.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	0.80	+0.30
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	-0.70	+1.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.19	-1.26	+2.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BDX vs. ADP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is higher than the ADP Sharpe Ratio of -1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDX 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

	BDX	ADP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45	-1.18	+1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.13	0.23	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.51	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.54	-0.12

Drawdowns

BDX vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDX drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, smaller than the maximum ADP drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDX and ADP.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDX	ADP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.17%	-59.51%	+8.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.73%	-40.78%	+18.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.06%	-40.78%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.06%	-40.78%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.06%	-40.78%	+0.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.20%	-28.56%	-2.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.57%	-12.59%	+1.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.31%	22.68%	-13.37%

Volatility

BDX vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) have volatilities of 9.74% and 9.79%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	BDX	ADP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.74%	9.79%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.17%	20.37%	-2.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.85%	24.21%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.25%	22.04%	+1.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.55%	24.47%	-0.92%

Dividends

BDX vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison

BDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, less than ADP's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc.	2.85%	2.46%	1.96%	2.21%	1.83%	1.55%	2.08%	1.92%	2.14%	2.00%	2.10%	2.36%
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company	2.41%	2.15%	1.71%	1.51%	1.38%	1.34%	1.28%	1.14%	1.34%	1.37%	1.64%	1.60%

Financials

BDX vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison

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

BDX - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Becton, Dickinson and Company reported a gross profit of 2.15B and revenue of 4.71B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 45.7%.

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%.

BDX - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Becton, Dickinson and Company reported an operating income of 94.00M and revenue of 4.71B, resulting in an operating margin of 2.0%.

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%.

BDX - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Becton, Dickinson and Company reported a net income of -311.00M and revenue of 4.71B, resulting in a net margin of -6.6%.

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 BDX and ADP in my portfolio?

BDX and ADP have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BDX or ADP?

ADP has higher volatility (9.79%) compared to BDX (9.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDX dropped -51.17% vs ADP's -59.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.45 vs -1.18), 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.