QCOM vs. ADP
QCOM (QUALCOMM Incorporated) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. QCOM operates in Semiconductors (Technology), while ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, QCOM returned 18.18%/yr vs 12.50%/yr for ADP. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
QCOM vs. ADP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QCOM achieves a 28.60% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -10.21% return. Over the past 10 years, QCOM has outperformed ADP with an annualized return of 18.18%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively lower 12.50% annualized return.
QCOM
- 1D
- 0.85%
- 1M
- -0.24%
- YTD
- 28.60%
- 6M
- 25.48%
- 1Y
- 48.99%
- 3Y*
- 24.96%
- 5Y*
- 12.79%
- 10Y*
- 18.18%
ADP
- 1D
- -1.24%
- 1M
- 7.55%
- YTD
- -10.21%
- 6M
- -10.14%
- 1Y
- -28.14%
- 3Y*
- 4.26%
- 5Y*
- 5.16%
- 10Y*
- 12.50%
QCOM vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated | 28.60% | 13.84% | 8.31% | 35.07% | -38.58% | 22.25% | 77.08% | 60.76% | -7.59% | 2.05% |
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | -10.21% | -10.18% | 28.41% | -0.25% | -1.29% | 42.60% | 5.86% | 32.71% | 14.25% | 16.54% |
Correlation
The correlation between QCOM and ADP is 0.10, 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 | 0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 1991 | 0.34 |
Over the past year, the correlation between QCOM and ADP has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
QCOM:
$233.45B
ADP:
$92.16B
QCOM:
$9.11
ADP:
$10.72
QCOM:
23.89
ADP:
21.37
QCOM:
5.33
ADP:
4.30
QCOM:
8.56
ADP:
14.51
QCOM:
$44.49B
ADP:
$21.60B
QCOM:
$24.38B
ADP:
$10.26B
QCOM:
$12.92B
ADP:
$6.51B
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Return for Risk
QCOM vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank
QCOM
ADP
QCOM vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) 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.
| QCOM | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 0.80 | +0.44 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.49 | -0.72 | +2.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.34 | -1.33 | +4.67 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QCOM | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.04 | -1.16 | +2.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 | 0.24 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.51 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.54 | -0.12 |
Drawdowns
QCOM vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QCOM drawdown since its inception was -86.75%, which is greater than ADP's maximum drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOM and ADP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QCOM | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -86.75% | -59.51% | -27.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -33.13% | -39.25% | +6.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -44.23% | -40.78% | -3.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.29% | -40.78% | -3.51% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.29% | -40.78% | -3.51% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.93% | -28.14% | +15.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.88% | -12.59% | -20.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.70% | 22.88% | -8.18% |
Volatility
QCOM vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison
QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) has a higher volatility of 29.80% compared to Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) at 9.30%. This indicates that QCOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ADP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QCOM | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 29.80% | 9.30% | +20.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 40.61% | 20.42% | +20.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 47.39% | 24.35% | +23.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 40.86% | 22.05% | +18.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 39.13% | 24.48% | +14.65% |
Dividends
QCOM vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison
QCOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, less than ADP's 2.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.83% | 2.46% | 1.96% | 2.21% | 1.83% | 1.55% | 2.08% | 1.92% | 2.14% | 2.00% | 2.10% | 2.36% |
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated | 1.65% | 2.06% | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.67% | 1.47% | 1.69% | 2.81% | 4.27% | 3.50% | 3.17% | 3.72% |
Financials
QCOM vs. ADP - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between QUALCOMM Incorporated 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
QCOM vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison
QCOM - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated reported a gross profit of 5.70B and revenue of 10.60B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 53.8%.
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%.
QCOM - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated reported an operating income of 2.31B and revenue of 10.60B, resulting in an operating margin of 21.8%.
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%.
QCOM - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated reported a net income of 7.37B and revenue of 10.60B, resulting in a net margin of 69.5%.
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
QCOM and ADP have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QCOM has higher volatility (29.80%) compared to ADP (9.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCOM dropped -86.75% vs ADP's -59.51%.
QCOM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.04 vs -1.16), 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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