Stocks analysis

ADP vs AEP Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric ADP AEP
📈 Growth 22/30 22/30
💰 Profitability 18/20 16/20
🏦 Financial Health 9/20 12/20
💵 Valuation 14/20 14/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 6/10 7/10
Overall Score 67/100 67/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

ADP Analysis AEP Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Across eight quarters, ADP's revenue hovered around $5.25B–$5.56B, finishing at about $5.359B in the latest quarter, a modest gain from the start. Net income rose from roughly $956.3M to $1.062B, an ~11% increase. There was a mid-period dip in 2025 Q4, but the longer trajectory remains stable-to-up with solid profitability.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

  • Gross Margin fluctuated roughly 45%–52%, averaging around the mid-40s to high-40s.
  • Operating Margin consistently around 23% in recent quarters.
  • Net Margin near 19–20%.
  • Operating cash flow remains solid around $1.0–$1.4B per quarter; net cash flow is affected by financing activity in some periods, with a large financing inflow in the latest quarter.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Total assets generally in the mid-to-high $50B range; liabilities near $50–$60B and equity around $4–$6B, yielding a modest liquidity buffer as current assets roughly equal current liabilities. Leverage is elevated but cash generation is steady.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Recurring payroll/data processing services; broad client base and scale advantages.
  • Risks: Regulatory/macro shifts and reliance on financing activity in some periods, creating sensitivity to funding costs and leverage.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

The eight quarters show revenue rising from $5.420B in 2024 Q3 to $6.020B in 2026 Q1, about a net increase of ~11%. Net income fluctuated: from $0.962B at the start to $0.903B at the end, with a peak near $1.288B in 2025 Q2. This signals a healthier top line with episodic earnings swings, ending with higher revenue but a slightly lower cumulative net income than the start.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Net income margins averaged in the mid-teens, with notable strength around 25% in 2025 Q2. Operating cash flow tended to be positive across quarters, while investing cash flow was typically negative, reflecting ongoing capex. Cash flow from operations generally ranged in the low-to-mid billions, with an indicative average near $1.8B and occasional peaks near $2.5B.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets sit in the $110B–$118B range, with liabilities around $76B–$85B and equity roughly $27B–$33B; end-quarter figures show long-term debt near $42B–$50B. The regulated utility profile supports resilience, though leverage remains notable for the sector.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: regulated rate recovery and ongoing grid modernization investments.
  • Risks: interest-rate sensitivity and regulatory/legislative shifts; earnings volatility driven by weather and macro cycles may affect valuation.