Clark & Stuart Inc Increases Stake in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP

Clark & Stuart Inc grew its holdings in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 404.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,491 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 11,617 shares during the period. Automatic Data Processing accounts for 2.6% of Clark & Stuart Inc’s portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Clark & Stuart Inc’s holdings in Automatic Data Processing were worth $3,748,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. PGIM Custom Harvest LLC increased its stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. PGIM Custom Harvest LLC now owns 722 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $223,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Heritage Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,340 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,030,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 4.2% during the third quarter. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC now owns 863 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 4.3% during the third quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 889 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $261,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 2.7% during the third quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,431 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $420,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.03% 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: Guggenheim initiated coverage of ADP with a Buy / Strong‑Buy rating and a $270 price target (roughly ~29% upside from recent levels); the firm argued AI fears are premature and flagged ADP’s durable cash flows and dividend profile as positives. Guggenheim initiates coverage of Automatic Data Processing (ADP) with buy recommendation Guggenheim Initiates ADP as Buy, Says Fears around AI Are Premature Zacks summary
• Neutral Sentiment: ADP was highlighted in dividend-stock writeups (InsiderMonkey / other outlets) emphasizing its ~3%+ yield and steady income characteristics — supports longer-term investor interest but is not an immediate catalyst. 5 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income
• Neutral Sentiment: Published short‑interest data in feeds shows a large March “increase,” but the print is internally inconsistent (zeros/NaN). This appears to be a data error and shouldn’t be treated as a genuine short‑squeeze signal without corrected filings.
• Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch noted ADP underperformed peers recently despite some daily gains, a reminder that positive analyst notes don’t always produce immediate outperformance — investors may be taking profits or reacting to broader market/sector pressure. Automatic Data Processing Inc. stock underperforms

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP David Kwon sold 900 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total value of $234,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 11,993 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,118,180. The trade was a 6.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Brian L. Michaud sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.18, for a total transaction of $234,180.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 15,310 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,585,295.80. This represents a 6.13% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 4,058 shares of company stock valued at $1,000,263. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on ADP. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Automatic Data Processing from $311.00 to $274.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $306.00 price objective on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $303.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Automatic Data Processing presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $288.46.

Automatic Data Processing Price Performance

NASDAQ:ADP opened at $208.72 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $229.28 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $256.66. The stock has a market cap of $84.04 billion, a PE ratio of 20.07 and a beta of 0.86. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a 52 week low of $203.26 and a 52 week high of $329.93.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.05. Automatic Data Processing had a return on equity of 68.44% and a net margin of 19.96%.The firm had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.35 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 fiscal year.

Automatic Data Processing announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, January 14th that authorizes the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the business services provider to reacquire up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Automatic Data Processing Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio is presently 65.38%.

Automatic Data Processing Company 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.