UL vs. ADP
UL (The Unilever Group) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. UL operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive), while ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, UL returned 5.33%/yr vs 12.40%/yr for ADP. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
UL vs. ADP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UL achieves a -8.35% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, UL has underperformed ADP with an annualized return of 5.33%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively higher 12.40% annualized return.
UL
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 4.77%
- YTD
- -8.35%
- 6M
- -7.70%
- 1Y
- -13.60%
- 3Y*
- 5.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 5.33%
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%
UL vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UL The Unilever Group | -8.35% | 5.96% | 20.90% | -0.17% | -2.82% | -7.61% | 9.04% | 12.88% | -2.34% | 40.15% |
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 UL and ADP is 0.06, 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 | 0.06 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1988 | 0.29 |
Over the past year, the correlation between UL and ADP has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.29, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
UL:
$129.35B
ADP:
$91.00B
UL:
€5.06
ADP:
$10.72
UL:
10.06
ADP:
21.10
UL:
1.97
ADP:
1.59
UL:
1.09
ADP:
4.25
UL:
7.20
ADP:
14.33
UL:
€109.27B
ADP:
$21.60B
UL:
€90.89B
ADP:
$10.26B
UL:
€24.12B
ADP:
$6.51B
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Return for Risk
UL vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank
UL
ADP
UL vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Unilever Group (UL) 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.
| UL | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 0.83 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.60 | -0.65 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.23 | -1.21 | -0.03 |
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Drawdowns
UL vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UL drawdown since its inception was -53.55%, smaller than the maximum ADP drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UL and ADP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| UL | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -53.55% | -59.51% | +5.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -25.09% | -38.16% | +13.07% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.09% | -40.78% | +15.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.53% | -40.78% | +14.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.13% | -40.78% | +10.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -19.64% | -28.50% | +8.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.61% | -12.59% | +1.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.20% | 20.40% | -8.20% |
Volatility
UL vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for The Unilever Group (UL) is 6.11%, while Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a volatility of 9.18%. This indicates that UL 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.
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Volatility by Period
| UL | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.11% | 9.18% | -3.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.78% | 20.54% | -3.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.50% | 24.29% | -2.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.87% | 22.07% | -1.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.61% | 24.49% | -2.88% |
Dividends
UL vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison
UL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than 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% |
UL The Unilever Group | 3.87% | 3.51% | 3.29% | 3.83% | 3.57% | 3.77% | 3.07% | 3.18% | 3.49% | 2.80% | 3.42% | 3.02% |
Financials
UL vs. ADP - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between The Unilever Group 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
UL vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison
UL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Unilever Group reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 18.38B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
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%.
UL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Unilever Group reported an operating income of 4.13B and revenue of 18.38B, resulting in an operating margin of 22.5%.
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%.
UL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Unilever Group reported a net income of 2.56B and revenue of 18.38B, resulting in a net margin of 14.0%.
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
UL and ADP have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ADP has higher volatility (9.18%) compared to UL (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UL dropped -53.55% vs ADP's -59.51%.
UL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.70 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.
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