Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP Shares Sold by Brookstone Capital Management

Brookstone Capital Management cut its stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 75.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,221 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 40,302 shares during the quarter. Brookstone Capital Management’s holdings in Automatic Data Processing were worth $3,401,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 92.1% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,026 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $2,935,000 after purchasing an additional 4,808 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC boosted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 22.8% in the fourth quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 3,664 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,073,000 after buying an additional 681 shares during the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. increased its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 21.8% in the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 1,259 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $388,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P. acquired a new position in Automatic Data Processing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,218,000. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in Automatic Data Processing by 42.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,477 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,689,000 after buying an additional 1,641 shares during the last quarter. 80.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $262.00 to $214.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating and set a $230.00 target price (down from $245.00) on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $311.00 to $274.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Automatic Data Processing has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $284.77.

Insider Activity

In other Automatic Data Processing news, VP Brian L. Michaud sold 1,000 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.18, for a total value of $234,180.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 15,310 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,585,295.80. The trade was a 6.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP David Kwon sold 900 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total transaction of $234,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 11,993 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,118,180. This trade represents a 6.98% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 4,058 shares of company stock worth $1,000,263 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Automatic Data Processing

Here are the key news stories impacting Automatic Data Processing this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ADP’s own National Employment Report showed private‑sector employment rose by 62,000 in March and annual pay was up 4.5% — data that imply continued recurring revenue opportunity for ADP’s payroll and HCM products. ADP National Employment Report: Private Sector Employment Increased by 62,000 Jobs in March; Annual Pay was Up 4.5%
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks reports ADP data show job gains were concentrated in very small private firms (sub‑50 employees), a segment that can drive new client additions and higher per‑client penetration for ADP’s small‑business offerings. No Foolin’: ADP Jobs Led by Small Companies
• Positive Sentiment: Broader labor data: initial jobless claims came in lower than expected, pointing to a tighter labor market that supports stronger payrolls and, by extension, ADP’s addressable market. Jobless Claims Come in Lower-Than-Expected
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/market commentary arguing investors should retain ADP highlights the company’s steady revenue growth, rising EPS outlook and solid dividend history — factors supporting longer‑term investor confidence. Here’s Why You Should Retain ADP Stock in Your Portfolio Now
• Neutral Sentiment: Some analysts/columnists frame ADP’s recent pullback as a potential valuation opportunity, which could attract value‑oriented buyers but reflects mixed sentiment about near‑term growth. Has The ADP (ADP) Share Price Slide Created A Valuation Opportunity?
• Neutral Sentiment: Markets are also watching upcoming manufacturing sector data and other macro prints that could move broad market sentiment and indirectly affect ADP’s stock. Market Awaits Manufacturing Sector Numbers
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen trimmed its ADP price target to $208 while maintaining a Hold rating, signaling reduced near‑term upside in some analysts’ views and potentially weighing on sentiment. TD Cowen trims ADP target to $208 ahead of Q3, maintains hold
• Negative Sentiment: Negative media commentary (e.g., Jim Cramer) suggesting ADP could be “disenfranchised” like peers may pressure retail sentiment and amplify selling in a down market. Jim Cramer on Automatic Data Processing, Inc.: “People have decided that this company can be disenfranchised just like Paychex”
• Negative Sentiment: Litigation risk: ADP 401(k) investors advanced an ERISA suit challenging plan fees, which could lead to legal costs, settlements or reputational impact if it progresses. ADP 401(k) Investors Advance ERISA Suit Challenging Plan Fees

Automatic Data Processing Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of NASDAQ:ADP opened at $204.01 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a 12-month low of $197.08 and a 12-month high of $329.93. The business has a 50 day moving average of $219.38 and a two-hundred day moving average of $251.13. The company has a market capitalization of $82.14 billion, a PE ratio of 19.62 and a beta of 0.85.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.34 billion. Automatic Data Processing had a net margin of 19.96% and a return on equity of 68.44%. The business’s revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.35 EPS. Automatic Data Processing has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.091-11.011 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 9.93 EPS for the current year.

Automatic Data Processing Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th were given a dividend of $1.70 per share. This represents a $6.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 13th. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.38%.

Automatic Data Processing announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, January 14th that allows the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the business services provider to repurchase up to 5.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Automatic Data Processing Profile

Automatic Data Processing, Inc (ADP) is a global provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) and payroll solutions. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey, ADP began as a payroll processing company and has evolved into a diversified provider of workforce management, HR, benefits administration, tax and compliance services, and analytics for employers of all sizes.

ADP’s product portfolio includes payroll processing and tax filing, time and attendance systems, benefits administration, talent management, and HR outsourcing.