PAYX vs. ADP
PAYX (Paychex, Inc.) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Staffing & Employment Services industry within the Industrials sector. Over the past 10 years, PAYX returned 9.48%/yr vs 12.63%/yr for ADP. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
PAYX vs. ADP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PAYX achieves a 1.03% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -0.85% return. Over the past 10 years, PAYX has underperformed ADP with an annualized return of 9.48%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively higher 12.63% annualized return.
PAYX
- 1D
- 2.98%
- 1M
- 10.06%
- 6M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 1.03%
- 1Y
- -19.53%
- 3Y*
- 0.39%
- 5Y*
- 2.77%
- 10Y*
- 9.48%
ADP
- 1D
- 3.77%
- 1M
- 10.98%
- 6M
- -2.95%
- YTD
- -0.85%
- 1Y
- -14.74%
- 3Y*
- 5.49%
- 5Y*
- 6.50%
- 10Y*
- 12.63%
PAYX vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAYX Paychex, Inc. | 1.03% | -17.49% | 21.31% | 6.21% | -13.16% | 50.16% | 13.25% | 34.53% | -1.08% | 15.41% |
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | -0.85% | -10.18% | 28.41% | -0.25% | -1.29% | 42.60% | 5.86% | 32.71% | 14.25% | 16.54% |
Correlation
The correlation between PAYX and ADP is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.52 |
Over the past year, PAYX and ADP have become more correlated (0.82) than their long-term average of 0.52, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
PAYX:
$39.38B
ADP:
$100.35B
PAYX:
$4.88
ADP:
$10.74
PAYX:
22.68
ADP:
23.38
PAYX:
3.62
ADP:
1.76
PAYX:
6.13
ADP:
4.70
PAYX:
10.62
ADP:
15.90
PAYX:
$6.51B
ADP:
$21.60B
PAYX:
$4.84B
ADP:
$10.26B
PAYX:
$2.90B
ADP:
$6.51B
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Return for Risk
PAYX vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank
PAYX
ADP
PAYX vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) 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.
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.
| PAYX | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 0.92 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.48 | -0.39 | -0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.74 | -0.69 | -0.05 |
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Drawdowns
PAYX vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PAYX drawdown since its inception was -64.85%, which is greater than ADP's maximum drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAYX and ADP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PAYX | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.85% | -59.51% | -5.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -41.01% | -38.07% | -2.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.95% | -40.78% | -4.17% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.95% | -40.78% | -4.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.95% | -40.78% | -4.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.84% | -20.65% | -7.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.99% | -12.62% | -5.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 26.27% | 21.38% | +4.89% |
Volatility
PAYX vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison
Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) have volatilities of 9.52% and 9.70%, 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
| PAYX | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.52% | 9.70% | -0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.97% | 22.00% | -0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.42% | 25.52% | +0.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.06% | 22.42% | +1.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.32% | 24.60% | +0.72% |
Dividends
PAYX vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison
PAYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than ADP's 2.64% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.64% | 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. | 4.00% | 3.76% | 2.73% | 2.90% | 2.62% | 1.90% | 2.66% | 2.85% | 3.35% | 2.82% | 2.89% | 3.03% |
Financials
PAYX vs. ADP - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Paychex, Inc. and Automatic Data Processing, 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
PAYX vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison
PAYX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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 - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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%.
PAYX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported an operating income of 604.70M and revenue of 1.61B, resulting in an operating margin of 37.7%.
ADP - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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%.
PAYX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Paychex, Inc. reported a net income of 420.60M and revenue of 1.61B, resulting in a net margin of 26.2%.
ADP - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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
PAYX and ADP have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ADP has higher volatility (9.70%) compared to PAYX (9.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAYX dropped -64.85% vs ADP's -59.51%.
ADP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.58 vs -0.74), 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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