SO vs. ADP

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SO (The Southern Company) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. SO operates in Utilities - Regulated Electric (Utilities), while ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, SO returned 10.77%/yr vs 12.40%/yr for ADP. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SO vs. ADP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Southern Company (SO) 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, SO achieves a 10.02% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, SO has underperformed ADP with an annualized return of 10.77%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively higher 12.40% annualized return.

SO

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 2.86%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 13.62%
• 1Y: 7.91%
• 3Y*: 14.19%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

ADP

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 6.27%
• YTD: -10.66%
• 6M: -13.64%
• 1Y: -24.22%
• 3Y*: 3.25%
• 5Y*: 4.80%
• 10Y*: 12.40%

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

SO vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SO The Southern Company	10.02%	9.47%	21.72%	2.21%	8.24%	16.34%	0.63%	51.65%	-3.75%	2.42%
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc.	-10.66%	-10.18%	28.41%	-0.25%	-1.29%	42.60%	5.86%	32.71%	14.25%	16.54%

Correlation

The correlation between SO and ADP is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 1983	0.27

The correlation between SO and ADP shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.32 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap SO : $106.03B ADP : $91.00B
EPS SO : $3.92 ADP : $10.72
PE Ratio SO : 23.98 ADP : 21.10
PEG Ratio SO : 1.49 ADP : 1.59
PS Ratio SO : 3.47 ADP : 4.25
PB Ratio SO : 2.86 ADP : 14.33
Total Revenue (TTM) SO : $30.17B ADP : $21.60B
Gross Profit (TTM) SO : $13.01B ADP : $10.26B
EBITDA (TTM) SO : $14.44B ADP : $6.51B

Return for Risk

SO vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank

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

SO

SO Risk / Return Rank: 54
SO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SO Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

ADP

ADP Risk / Return Rank: 11
ADP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ADP Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
ADP Omega Ratio Rank: 8
ADP Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
ADP Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

SO vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Southern Company (SO) 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.

	SO	ADP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	-1.02	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.81	-1.41	+2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	0.83	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.53	-0.65	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.24	-1.21	+2.44

SO vs. ADP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SO Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is higher than the ADP Sharpe Ratio of -1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SO 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.

Drawdowns

SO vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SO drawdown since its inception was -38.43%, smaller than the maximum ADP drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SO and ADP.

Drawdown Indicators

	SO	ADP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.43%	-59.51%	+21.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.99%	-38.16%	+23.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.99%	-40.78%	+25.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.28%	-40.78%	+17.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.43%	-40.78%	+2.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.95%	-28.50%	+24.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.87%	-12.59%	+5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.39%	20.40%	-14.01%

Volatility

SO vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Southern Company (SO) is 6.03%, while Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a volatility of 9.18%. This indicates that SO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ADP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SO	ADP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	9.18%	-3.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	20.54%	-7.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	24.29%	-8.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.67%	22.07%	-3.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.96%	24.49%	-2.53%

Dividends

SO vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison

SO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, which matches ADP's 3.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc.	2.94%	2.46%	1.96%	2.21%	1.83%	1.55%	2.08%	1.92%	2.14%	2.00%	2.10%	2.36%
SO The Southern Company	3.60%	3.37%	3.47%	3.96%	3.78%	3.82%	4.13%	3.86%	5.42%	4.78%	4.52%	4.60%

Financials

SO vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison

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

SO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Southern Company reported a gross profit of 3.90B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 46.5%.

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%.

SO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Southern Company reported an operating income of 2.02B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 24.0%.

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%.

SO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Southern Company reported a net income of 1.36B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 16.2%.

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 SO and ADP in my portfolio?

SO and ADP have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SO or ADP?

ADP has higher volatility (9.18%) compared to SO (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SO dropped -38.43% vs ADP's -59.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.49 vs -1.02), 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.