Stocks analysis

A vs ADP Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric A ADP
📈 Growth 26/30 26/30
💰 Profitability 17/20 18/20
🏦 Financial Health 15/20 12/20
💵 Valuation 16/20 14/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 5/10 6/10
Overall Score 79/100 74/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

A Analysis ADP Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Eight quarters show revenue rising from about $1.66B in 2024-Q1 to about $1.84B in 2026-Q2, while Net Income fluctuates but trends higher, with a peak near $434M in 2025-Q4 and a pace around $300–$339M in other quarters. The trend depicts steady top-line growth and durable earnings power despite quarterly volatility.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Gross Margin remains in the low-to-mid 50s% (roughly 53%), and Operating Margin sits in the low- to mid-20s% (roughly 21%). Cash flow remains broadly positive; Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities ranges in the hundreds of millions per quarter, while investing and financing activities swing, producing occasional negative free cash flow but overall liquidity.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets run around $12.8–$13.0B, with long-term debt near $3.0B and equity attributable to parent around $6.1–7.0B. Current assets ($4.2–4.9B) cover current liabilities ($1.9–2.3B), indicating solid liquidity and resilience, despite occasional negative equity readings due to accounting structure.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Life sciences instrumentation demand; continued R&D activity driving consumables and systems adoption.
  • Risks: Cyclicality of lab spending; valuation sensitivity and dependence on continued margin stability.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Over the 8 quarters, revenues rose from about $4.77B (2024 Q4) to about $5.36B (2026 Q4). Net income progressed from roughly $0.83B to $1.06B, a 28% increase, signaling earnings leverage as the top line expanded. The quarterly path fluctuated—peaking near $5.55B in 2025 Q3/Q4 before settling in the $5.2–$5.36B range—yet the trend remains clearly positive. The Gross Margin held in the high-40s to mid-50s, while Operating Margin stayed in the low- to mid-20s, underpinning a solid profitability trajectory.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

  • Gross Margin: roughly 46–56% across periods, with a peak around 56%.
  • Operating Margin: generally 20–24%, supporting meaningful operating leverage.
  • Net cash flow from operating activities was consistently positive in most quarters, while investing cash flow was mostly modestly negative and financing activity contributed steady liquidity.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

  • Current assets ($52B) vs current liabilities ($50B) yields a tight but adequate liquidity cushion.
  • Liabilities ($57B) exceed equity ($6B), indicating leverage, but assets and ongoing operating cash flows provide resilience. The balance sheet remains stable with a solid asset base.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Recurring payroll/data-processing demand; large installed base and stable cash flows.
  • Risks: Valuation sensitivity to growth momentum; exposure to regulatory shifts or macro cycles.