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Relative Intelligence · Business Services

How Automatic Data Processing (ADP) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ADP alone. It places ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) against 19 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where ADP stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: ADP's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against ADP →Chart ADP vs. 19 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in ADP have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ADP over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ADP over the same span and ADP's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 256 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ADP; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • CACI$609,098+5,991% total · +15.2% a year
  • INTU$591,451+5,815% total · +15.1% a year
  • NSP$293,024+2,830% total · +12.4% a year
  • ORCL$284,972+2,750% total · +12.2% a year
  • GD$272,943+2,629% total · +12.1% a year
  • ADP$235,442+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
  • BBSI$154,380+1,444% total · +9.9% a year
  • SAP$136,626+1,266% total · +9.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • TBI$13,354+33.5% total · +1.0% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,655 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ADP; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000202120222023202420252026
  • RTX$24,048+140% total · +19.2% a year
  • CACI$23,239+132% total · +18.4% a year
  • ITA$20,677+107% total · +15.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • GD$18,801+88.0% total · +13.5% a year
  • NSIT$17,354+73.5% total · +11.7% a year
  • BBSI$16,792+67.9% total · +10.9% a year
  • SAP$16,715+67.2% total · +10.8% a year
  • ADP$14,432+44.3% total · +7.6% a year
  • NOW$10,768+7.7% total · +1.5% a year
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ADP at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$116B
Industry
Software - Application
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+6.4%total return
Past 3 years
+30.2%+9.2% a year
Past 5 years
+53.6%+9.0% a year
Past 10 years
+320%+15.4% a year
Best calendar year
+45.6%2013
Worst calendar year
−32.7%2002
Losing years
6 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
22.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.49return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−59.6%Nov 2000 to Mar 2003
From its all-time high
−6.9%below the peak

ADP against the whole market

Where ADP ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does ADP rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ADP on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how ADP stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureADPRankStanding
1-year return+6.4%1,721 of 3,287bottom 49%
3-year return+30.2%1,849 of 3,017bottom 40%
5-year return+53.6%1,066 of 2,893top 37%
10-year return+320%536 of 2,202top 24%
Volatility, 5 years22.9%206 of 2,893top 7%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.49956 of 2,893top 33%
Worst decline, past 10 years−40.8%169 of 2,187top 8%

What has beaten ADP on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). ADP sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ADP with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to ADP; faint dots are 95 more of the 311 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ADPBRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%IVW: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.5%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%MGV: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.4%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%COMT: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.1%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%FLQL: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.3%JMOM: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.1%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +11.9% a year, volatility 16.9%UTES: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.1%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%SIXH: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.2%IDHQ: +10.0% a year, volatility 17.9%EWJV: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.2%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%QDEF: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.7%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%FXU: +11.2% a year, volatility 16.6%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%DJD: +11.8% a year, volatility 13.3%SSUS: +10.5% a year, volatility 15.4%PJP: +11.2% a year, volatility 16.6%EBF: +11.2% a year, volatility 21.4%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%EPD: +16.4% a year, volatility 17.1%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%IWD: +11.4% a year, volatility 14.7%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%SLF: +11.7% a year, volatility 19.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%XLI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.6%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.5%L: +14.3% a year, volatility 19.2%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%CNP: +11.4% a year, volatility 19.6%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%EMXC: +11.1% a year, volatility 19.5%COWZ: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.7%AVDE: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.4%AMLP: +16.1% a year, volatility 18.9%PAVE: +14.9% a year, volatility 21.6%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%ITA: +14.6% a year, volatility 20.4%CACI: +16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%NSIT: +11.8% a year, volatility 33.6%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%ADPSPY (S&P 500)ITACACINSITRTXCTASRSGAMGNGILDVTIVOOFASTEQLVEADXJPPA0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ADPBRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%CME: +11.2% a year, volatility 20.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%TAK: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%LIN: +11.5% a year, volatility 20.9%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%VT: +10.3% a year, volatility 16.2%PJUL: +10.5% a year, volatility 8.6%IVW: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.5%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%ED: +12.0% a year, volatility 18.8%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%SPHQ: +12.0% a year, volatility 16.7%MGV: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.4%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.8% a year, volatility 18.9%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%COMT: +13.1% a year, volatility 21.1%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%IDMO: +13.3% a year, volatility 18.2%FTLS: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.4%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%DIVI: +13.4% a year, volatility 15.5%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%FTHI: +10.3% a year, volatility 13.3%FLQL: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.3%JMOM: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.1%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%DSTL: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.1%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%INFL: +11.8% a year, volatility 17.8%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +11.9% a year, volatility 16.9%UTES: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.1%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%SIXH: +10.2% a year, volatility 10.2%IDHQ: +10.0% a year, volatility 17.9%EWJV: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.2%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%QDEF: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.7%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%FXU: +11.2% a year, volatility 16.6%NXTG: +16.2% a year, volatility 19.1%DJD: +11.8% a year, volatility 13.3%SSUS: +10.5% a year, volatility 15.4%PJP: +11.2% a year, volatility 16.6%EBF: +11.2% a year, volatility 21.4%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%EPD: +16.4% a year, volatility 17.1%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%IWD: +11.4% a year, volatility 14.7%SO: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%SLF: +11.7% a year, volatility 19.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%XLI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.6%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.5%L: +14.3% a year, volatility 19.2%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%CNP: +11.4% a year, volatility 19.6%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%EMXC: +11.1% a year, volatility 19.5%COWZ: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.7%AVDE: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.4%AMLP: +16.1% a year, volatility 18.9%PAVE: +14.9% a year, volatility 21.6%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%ADP: +9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%ITA: +14.6% a year, volatility 20.4%CACI: +16.6% a year, volatility 29.9%NSIT: +11.8% a year, volatility 33.6%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%VTI: +11.5% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%VEA: +9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%ADPSPY (S&P 500)ITACACINSITRTXCTASRSGAMGNGILDVTIFASTEQLVEADXJPPA
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× ADP's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than ADP?

Investments that beat ADP over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat ADP over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks ADP's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than ADP follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than ADP's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× ADP's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than ADP's.

Screen the whole market against ADP for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 16 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with ADP?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. · this page
+9.0%22.9%0.49−40.8%+320%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.550.09%
Popular alternativesbest 1 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ADP. 1 of 19 passed at least one test.
NOWServiceNow, Inc. · Enterprise Software
Higher return in most periods+1.9%45.5%0.27−64.5%+848%0.30—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Business Services and the categories next to it (IT Services, Aerospace & Defense, Financial Data, Application Software), plus ADP's specific themes. 7 of 95 passed at least one test.
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return, lower volatility+12.9%20.8%0.69−51.6%+184%0.29—
ITAiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return, lower volatility+14.6%20.4%0.78−51.0%+258%0.290.37%
CACICACI International Inc · Business Services
Higher return in most periods+16.6%29.9%0.66−42.9%+499%0.19—
NSITInsight Enterprises, Inc. · IT Services
Higher return in most periods+11.8%33.6%0.50−71.4%+393%0.34—
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return, similar volatility+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.18—
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Higher return, similar volatility+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.68—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 544 of 3,521 passed at least one test.
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.45—
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.29—
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.18—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.540.03%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.540.03%
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.47—
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.560.19%
VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+9.3%16.9%0.61−35.8%+153%0.380.03%
What these numbers mean for ADP
Annual return
ADP returned 9.0% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $15,400. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
ADP's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.9%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADP's return lands within 22.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
ADP's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.49, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ADP earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
ADP's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 40.8%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 40.8% fall takes a 68.9% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ADP's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.55 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ADP instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ADP holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 311 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ADP with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with ADPExpense
1
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.45—
2
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.5%17.5%0.71−35.0%+302%0.540.03%
3
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.540.03%
4
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.46—
5
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.19—
6
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.300.40%
7
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.2%20.8%0.62−37.4%+319%0.30—
8
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.19—
9
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+11.9%19.4%0.68−54.4%+30.4%0.01—
10
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%-0.010.40%
11
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.5%20.9%0.63−32.6%+394%0.40—
12
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.560.19%
13
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.78−31.7%+258%0.600.04%
14
VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.3%16.2%0.69−34.2%+223%0.490.06%
15
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.490.79%
16
IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%21.5%0.68−32.7%+413%0.500.18%
17
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.430.85%
18
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.17—
19
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.520.26%
20
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%18.8%0.70−30.9%+114%0.31—
21
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.31—
22
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.380.13%
23
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.360.27%
24
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.530.15%
25
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.25—
26
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+12.0%16.7%0.76−31.6%+300%0.450.20%
27
MGVVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.6%13.4%0.95−35.4%+244%0.520.05%
28
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.28—
29
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.400.35%
30
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.470.40%
31
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.8%18.9%0.78−30.5%+379%0.470.20%
32
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.610.12%
33
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.580.56%
34
COMTiShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF · Commodities
Whole market+13.1%21.1%0.69−39.2%+160%0.090.49%
35
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.530.12%
36
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.300.61%
37
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.380.50%
38
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.28—
39
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+221%0.580.20%
40
IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.3%18.2%0.78−31.3%+229%0.490.25%
41
FTLSFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.4%0.99−20.6%+158%0.560.95%
42
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology
Whole market+15.0%19.5%0.82−30.8%—0.470.45%
43
DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International
Whole market+13.4%15.5%0.89−27.7%+184%0.400.09%
44
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.570.30%
45
BCIabrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+10.1%16.7%0.66−32.7%—0.150.26%
46
FTHIFirst Trust BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+10.3%13.3%0.81−32.7%+126%0.470.75%
47
FLQLFranklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.8%16.3%0.88−33.6%—0.510.15%
48
JMOMJPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.9%19.1%0.73−34.3%—0.490.12%
49
HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International
Whole market+11.4%15.3%0.79−32.4%+180%0.340.19%
50
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.3%16.1%0.75−33.1%—0.640.39%
51
DDWMWisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund · International
Whole market+12.3%13.4%0.94−35.0%+149%0.370.40%
52
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Commodities
Whole market+11.7%15.6%0.79−33.9%—0.340.55%
53
INFLHorizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.8%17.8%0.72−21.3%—0.500.85%
54
DBAInvesco DB Agriculture Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+10.7%13.8%0.81−35.3%+62.2%0.210.90%
55
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.130.45%
56
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+153%0.340.36%
57
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.9%16.9%0.75−32.1%+153%0.330.60%
58
UTESVirtus Reaves Utilities ETF · Alternatives
Whole market+13.6%21.1%0.71−35.4%+210%0.340.49%
59
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.0%18.0%0.82−33.6%—0.460.50%
60
ROUSHartford Multifactor US Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.3%14.4%0.88−35.5%+238%0.550.19%
61
SIXHETC 6 Meridian Hedged Equity Index Option ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.2%10.2%1.00−11.7%—0.400.31%
62
IDHQInvesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF · International
Whole market+10.0%17.9%0.63−33.6%+183%0.430.29%
63
EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · International
Whole market+14.9%18.2%0.86−30.1%—0.230.15%
64
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.420.50%
65
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.100.48%
66
QDEFNorthern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.7%13.7%0.94−35.7%+228%0.600.40%
67
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.27—
68
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.570.49%
69
FXUFirst Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund · Utilities
Whole market+11.2%16.6%0.72−34.8%+138%0.370.61%
70
NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology
Whole market+16.2%19.1%0.89−33.6%+330%0.250.70%
71
DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.8%13.3%0.91−34.7%+227%0.480.07%
72
SSUSStrategy Shares Day Hagan Smart Sector ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+10.5%15.4%0.73−23.8%—0.470.77%
73
PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.2%16.6%0.72−34.0%+135%0.360.58%
74
EBFEnnis, Inc. · Specialty Business Services
Whole market+11.2%21.4%0.60−35.4%+163%0.26—
75
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.26—
76
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.27—
77
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.20—
78
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.22—
79
EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+16.4%17.1%0.98−58.1%+178%0.28—
80
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.32—
81
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.37—
82
IWDiShares Russell 1000 Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.4%14.7%0.81−38.5%+205%0.570.18%
83
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−38.4%+170%0.23—
84
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.36—
85
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.200.80%
86
SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+11.7%19.4%0.67−50.8%+255%0.37—
87
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+194%0.300.25%
88
XLIState Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF · US Industrials
Whole market+11.5%17.6%0.71−42.3%+246%0.470.08%
89
PBAPembina Pipeline Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+13.8%21.5%0.71−70.9%+172%0.37—
90
LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.3%19.2%0.80−48.5%+180%0.27—
91
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.0%1.00−37.0%+172%0.490.08%
92
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.9%17.4%0.84−43.0%—0.350.36%
93
CNPCenterPoint Energy, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+11.4%19.6%0.65−59.8%+142%0.21—
94
RDVYFirst Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−40.6%+322%0.510.47%
95
EMXCiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+11.1%19.5%0.64−42.8%—0.100.25%
96
COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.4%17.7%0.70−38.7%—0.560.49%
97
AVDEAvantis International Equity ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+10.1%16.4%0.67−37.0%—0.410.23%
98
AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+16.1%18.9%0.89−72.9%+91.0%0.311.01%
99
PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity
Whole market+14.9%21.6%0.75−44.1%—0.460.47%
100
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.6%0.92−40.2%+253%0.570.15%

ADP against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against ADP, compared period by period and year by year.

How do ADP's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at ADP, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than ADP with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%55.0%60.0%−25.0%−20.0%−15.0%−10.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityADP: 9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%PAYC: −12.1% a year, volatility 46.3%KFY: 1.8% a year, volatility 29.7%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%PCTY: −10.1% a year, volatility 41.1%TNET: −5.2% a year, volatility 38.1%NSP: −12.7% a year, volatility 45.2%TBI: −23.4% a year, volatility 55.2%BR: 1.7% a year, volatility 24.6%ACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%WDAY: −5.9% a year, volatility 41.7%RHI: −17.7% a year, volatility 38.4%MAN: −12.9% a year, volatility 41.5%INTU: −9.4% a year, volatility 39.1%PAYX: 1.5% a year, volatility 25.0%ASUR: −4.5% a year, volatility 48.3%FIS: −19.7% a year, volatility 33.9%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%BBSI: 10.6% a year, volatility 29.1%ADPSPY (S&P 500)NOWPAYCKFYORCLPCTYTNETNSPTBIBRACNWDAYRHIMANINTUPAYXASURFISSAPBBSI10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityADP: 9.0% a year, volatility 22.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%NOW: 1.9% a year, volatility 45.5%PAYC: −12.1% a year, volatility 46.3%KFY: 1.8% a year, volatility 29.7%ORCL: 7.7% a year, volatility 44.3%PCTY: −10.1% a year, volatility 41.1%TNET: −5.2% a year, volatility 38.1%NSP: −12.7% a year, volatility 45.2%TBI: −23.4% a year, volatility 55.2%BR: 1.7% a year, volatility 24.6%ACN: −5.2% a year, volatility 32.7%WDAY: −5.9% a year, volatility 41.7%RHI: −17.7% a year, volatility 38.4%MAN: −12.9% a year, volatility 41.5%INTU: −9.4% a year, volatility 39.1%PAYX: 1.5% a year, volatility 25.0%ASUR: −4.5% a year, volatility 48.3%FIS: −19.7% a year, volatility 33.9%SAP: 11.5% a year, volatility 30.0%BBSI: 10.6% a year, volatility 29.1%ADPSPY (S&P 500)NOWPAYCKFYORCLPCTYTNETNSPTBIBRACNRHIMANINTUPAYXASURFIS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
SAP SAP SE+11.5%30.0%
BBSI Barrett Business Services, Inc.+10.6%29.1%
ADP This pageAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.+9.0%22.9%
ORCL Oracle Corporation+7.7%44.3%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.+1.9%45.5%
KFY Korn Ferry+1.8%29.7%
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.+1.7%24.6%
PAYX Paychex, Inc.+1.5%25.0%
ASUR Asure Software, Inc.−4.5%48.3%
ACN Accenture plc−5.2%32.7%
TNET TriNet Group, Inc.−5.2%38.1%
WDAY Workday, Inc.−5.9%41.7%
INTU Intuit Inc.−9.4%39.1%
PCTY Paylocity Holding Corporation−10.1%41.1%
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.−12.1%46.3%
NSP Insperity, Inc.−12.7%45.2%
MAN ManpowerGroup Inc.−12.9%41.5%
RHI Robert Half Inc.−17.7%38.4%
FIS Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.−19.7%33.9%
TBI TrueBlue, Inc.−23.4%55.2%
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Has ADP consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares ADP with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than ADP helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ADP over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (this page)—+8.5%+15.4%+46.7%+18.4%+6.4%+30.2%+53.6%+320%22.9%0.49−40.8%—$116B—
NOW Software - ApplicationServiceNow, Inc.2/5 short2/3 long+8.6%+42.8%+50.0%+1.4%−18.5%+37.8%+9.8%+848%45.5%0.27−64.5%—$155B—
SAP Software - ApplicationSAP SE2/5 short2/3 long+9.4%+44.6%+29.6%−2.1%−16.6%+81.3%+72.6%+205%30.0%0.52−52.5%—$267B—
BBSI Staffing & Employment ServicesBarrett Business Services, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long−2.4%−19.7%+7.8%−11.2%−22.2%+46.9%+65.4%+227%29.1%0.49−69.6%—$777M—
PAYC Software - ApplicationPaycom Software, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+15.9%+75.5%+98.1%+73.3%+31.7%+3.8%−47.4%+453%46.3%-0.04−79.0%—$12B—
KFY Staffing & Employment ServicesKorn Ferry1/5 short1/3 long−4.2%−5.7%+11.3%+12.6%+9.2%+68.7%+9.3%+312%29.7%0.21−67.1%—$4.0B—
ORCL Software - InfrastructureOracle Corporation0/5 short1/3 long−11.4%+8.4%−25.6%−32.1%−52.1%+33.3%+45.1%+300%44.3%0.38−64.6%—$396B—
PCTY Software - ApplicationPaylocity Holding Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+17.8%+33.6%+64.9%+16.7%+12.1%−10.2%−41.4%+288%41.1%-0.06−68.9%—$9.0B—
TNET Staffing & Employment ServicesTriNet Group, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+6.8%+17.2%+78.4%+26.2%+18.5%−34.7%−23.6%+277%38.1%0.05−74.0%—$3.3B—
NSP Staffing & Employment ServicesInsperity, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−0.5%−2.1%+64.1%+37.2%+13.3%−41.8%−49.3%+81.0%45.2%-0.07−83.1%—$1.9B—
TBI Staffing & Employment ServicesTrueBlue, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−10.0%−3.3%+84.2%+88.4%+51.8%−40.4%−73.6%−55.3%55.2%-0.21−89.9%—$252M—
BR Information Technology ServicesBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+9.3%+20.7%+13.1%−16.8%−20.2%+9.7%+8.7%+234%24.6%0.19−48.2%—$20B—
ACN Information Technology ServicesAccenture plc2/5 short0/3 long+29.5%+66.5%+25.1%−4.8%+2.2%−13.6%−23.6%+146%32.7%0.00−67.8%—$146B—
WDAY Software - ApplicationWorkday, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+6.3%+38.6%+59.4%−0.9%−15.4%−3.4%−26.4%+132%41.7%0.06−63.4%—$49B—
RHI Staffing & Employment ServicesRobert Half Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−8.4%−18.0%+25.1%+31.6%+19.3%−46.2%−62.2%+19.6%38.4%-0.32−79.4%—$3.5B—
MAN Staffing & Employment ServicesManpowerGroup Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−24.0%−19.1%+38.0%+46.3%+32.9%−30.1%−49.8%−19.8%41.5%-0.13−75.5%—$2.0B—
INTU Software - ApplicationIntuit Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+10.8%+14.6%−16.4%−46.0%−48.9%−32.1%−38.8%+237%39.1%-0.06−68.2%—$90B—
PAYX Staffing & Employment ServicesPaychex, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−2.1%−1.2%+23.8%+7.2%−7.1%+7.5%+7.9%+173%25.0%0.19−45.0%—$40B—
ASUR Software - ApplicationAsure Software, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−12.5%−9.7%−21.5%−21.6%−17.1%−15.7%−20.8%+4.1%48.3%0.15−77.0%—$206M—
FIS Information Technology ServicesFidelity National Information Services, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+3.5%−12.8%−22.9%−42.7%−44.3%−21.6%−66.6%−41.3%33.9%-0.47−76.0%—$19B—
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How did ADP do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where ADP ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ADP and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of ADP; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places ADP among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of ADP20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ADP This pageAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.—−10.2%+28.4%−0.3%−1.3%+42.6%+5.9%+32.7%+14.3%+16.5%+24.3%+4.1%+20.5%+45.6%+8.5%+20.2%+11.7%+12.7%−9.0%+2.8%+9.1%+5.1%+13.5%+2.4%−32.7%−6.4%+18.3%+35.3%+31.7%+44.6%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 6 of 297 of 206 of 2015 of 203 of 208 of 2011 of 2013 of 207 of 2016 of 207 of 2014 of 204 of 1710 of 1713 of 153 of 1511 of 1514 of 153 of 154 of 148 of 1410 of 144 of 1414 of 149 of 148 of 124 of 126 of 116 of 115 of 10
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF11 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.9 of 13−27.8%+50.0%+82.0%−40.2%+17.9%+95.0%+58.6%+36.5%+75.4%−14.1%+27.6%+21.2%+86.4%————————————————
SAP SAP SE14 of 29−0.4%+61.3%+52.3%−24.2%+9.2%−1.3%+36.4%−10.0%+31.7%+11.1%+15.3%−18.6%+10.0%+55.8%+6.0%+9.8%+31.4%−28.0%−2.6%+18.7%+2.8%+7.0%+114%−38.7%−4.9%−35.1%+45.1%+38.0%+138%
BBSI Barrett Business Services, Inc.15 of 29−16.0%+51.4%+25.7%+37.1%+2.9%−23.0%+60.2%−10.1%+2.3%+50.4%+62.8%−69.9%+146%+95.0%+31.9%+30.3%+15.5%−37.7%−22.3%−5.9%+171%+6.6%+319%−16.2%+3.9%−46.0%−22.5%−27.7%−22.9%
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.5 of 11−21.7%0.0%−33.1%−25.3%−8.2%+70.8%+116%+52.4%+76.6%+20.9%+42.9%——————————————————
KFY Korn Ferry12 of 26+0.6%+16.1%+19.1%−32.4%+75.3%+4.0%+8.3%−3.7%+42.6%−9.9%+16.7%+10.1%+64.7%−7.1%−26.2%+40.0%+44.5%−39.3%−18.0%+22.8%−10.0%+55.6%+78.3%−29.7%−49.9%−41.6%———
ORCL Oracle Corporation14 of 29+18.1%+60.0%+30.9%−4.7%+36.9%+24.3%+19.4%−3.0%+24.9%+6.9%−17.6%+19.0%+15.7%+31.8%−17.5%+28.6%+39.4%−21.4%+31.7%+40.4%−11.0%+3.6%+22.6%−21.8%−52.5%+3.7%+290%+93.5%−19.9%
PCTY Paylocity Holding Corporation5 of 11−23.5%+21.0%−15.1%−17.7%+14.7%+70.4%+101%+27.7%+57.1%−26.0%+55.3%——————————————————
TNET TriNet Group, Inc.5 of 11−33.9%−23.1%+75.4%−28.8%+18.2%+42.4%+35.0%−5.4%+73.1%+32.4%−38.1%——————————————————
NSP Insperity, Inc.13 of 28−47.8%−32.1%+5.2%−1.9%+50.1%−3.1%−6.8%+64.2%+66.6%+49.6%+44.7%+2.1%+13.3%+36.1%−11.3%+27.0%+11.5%−21.6%−33.1%+2.7%+238%−27.4%+190%−78.1%+0.8%+79.7%+142%−3.4%—
TBI TrueBlue, Inc.13 of 29−45.8%−45.2%−21.7%−29.2%+48.0%−22.3%+8.1%−19.1%+11.6%−4.3%+15.8%−13.7%+63.7%+13.5%−22.9%+21.5%+54.8%−33.9%−21.0%−12.0%+23.1%+29.2%+104%+25.6%+54.4%−72.7%−7.6%+53.4%+114%
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.8 of 18+0.3%+11.7%+56.3%−25.3%+21.1%+26.3%+30.6%+7.9%+39.1%+25.9%+18.9%+19.6%+77.4%+4.5%+5.8%−0.1%+83.6%−43.2%———————————
ACN Accenture plc13 of 24−22.1%+1.9%+33.6%−34.8%+60.7%+26.0%+51.2%−6.2%+33.3%+14.3%+20.8%+11.4%+26.6%+27.7%+12.0%+19.1%+29.0%−7.5%−1.4%+29.3%+8.3%+2.6%+46.3%−33.2%—————
WDAY Workday, Inc.5 of 13−16.8%−6.5%+65.0%−38.8%+14.0%+45.7%+3.0%+57.0%+53.9%−17.1%−2.4%−1.9%+52.6%————————————————
RHI Robert Half Inc.12 of 29−59.1%−17.4%+22.1%−32.5%+81.3%+1.4%+12.8%+4.8%+16.2%+5.8%−18.1%+41.2%+34.3%+14.1%−5.0%+16.9%+31.2%−21.6%−26.3%−1.2%+30.0%+27.0%+44.9%−39.7%+0.8%+85.5%−35.8%+11.3%+75.7%
MAN ManpowerGroup Inc.11 of 29−46.3%−24.0%−0.6%−11.8%+10.5%−4.5%+53.5%−47.4%+44.2%+7.7%+25.9%−19.6%+105%+21.5%−42.0%+16.7%+63.2%−39.2%−23.3%+62.6%−2.7%+3.3%+48.4%−4.9%−10.8%+1.6%+50.5%−28.1%+9.0%
INTU Intuit Inc.20 of 29+6.1%+1.2%+61.8%−39.1%+70.3%+46.1%+34.1%+25.9%+39.2%+20.2%+5.9%+22.1%+29.7%+14.3%+7.0%+60.4%+29.2%−24.7%+3.6%+14.5%+21.1%−16.7%+12.6%+9.7%+8.5%−34.2%+148%+75.8%+30.9%
PAYX Paychex, Inc.14 of 29−17.5%+21.3%+6.2%−13.2%+50.1%+13.3%+34.5%−1.1%+15.4%+18.9%+18.4%+5.0%+48.9%+9.7%+1.4%+5.3%+22.1%−24.6%−6.0%+5.7%+13.7%−7.1%+35.3%−18.8%−27.6%+83.5%+17.6%+53.4%+48.7%
ASUR Asure Software, Inc.12 of 29+0.1%−1.2%+1.9%+19.3%+10.3%−13.2%+61.0%−64.0%+65.9%+88.7%−19.9%+0.4%−4.4%+38.1%+118%+1.0%+93.0%−80.3%−51.8%−39.2%+22.0%−13.8%+48.0%−61.2%+392%−73.4%+28.1%−58.2%−38.8%
FIS Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.14 of 24−15.8%+37.0%−8.2%−36.5%−21.9%+2.7%+37.2%+10.3%+26.1%+26.6%−1.0%+17.8%+57.4%+34.1%−2.2%+17.7%+45.4%+282%+4.7%+19.1%+15.6%+9.6%+34.5%−28.1%—————
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Risk and diversification

How ADP has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were ADP's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ADP's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means ADP fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringADP fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−59.6%−35.7%Nov 2000Mar 20032.3 yearsMar 20118 years
No named crash−40.8%+14.7%Jun 2025Apr 202610 monthsNot yet—
No named crash−39.9%—Aug 1987Oct 19872 monthsMar 19902.4 years
Covid crash−39.5%−33.7%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthDec 20209 months
No named crash−23.6%—Jul 1990Oct 19903 monthsJan 19913 months

How did ADP do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far ADP, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than ADP.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
ADP This pageAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.—−3.3%−19.9%−39.5%−19.2%−8.7%−14.1%−15.8%0.0%−35.7%−53.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.1 of 6−7.2%−39.9%−28.8%−20.6%−8.5%−47.6%————
SAP SAP SE4 of 10−2.0%−41.9%−32.6%−25.0%−6.9%−13.3%−25.0%−1.4%−49.6%−87.9%
BBSI Barrett Business Services, Inc.1 of 10−4.9%−14.9%−65.3%−29.4%−9.0%−40.1%−15.8%−3.5%−67.3%−62.7%
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.1 of 6−5.4%−33.7%−44.9%−29.9%−6.4%−50.8%————
KFY Korn Ferry1 of 10−10.0%−39.4%−47.7%−23.3%−7.9%−29.9%−48.8%−3.0%−59.6%−85.4%
ORCL Oracle Corporation3 of 10−5.0%−31.0%−28.3%−17.2%−6.6%−16.1%−23.9%−2.1%−41.1%−84.2%
PCTY Paylocity Holding Corporation0 of 6−6.3%−30.6%−47.6%−33.1%−13.0%−45.6%————
TNET TriNet Group, Inc.0 of 6−10.7%−31.8%−52.3%−30.1%−10.0%−37.1%————
NSP Insperity, Inc.1 of 10−4.2%−27.4%−63.9%−26.2%−6.5%−13.6%−33.7%−2.7%−64.5%−95.4%
TBI TrueBlue, Inc.2 of 10−7.5%−46.1%−27.0%−19.7%−3.8%−32.5%−30.5%−5.5%−71.3%−76.4%
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.2 of 9−3.8%−25.4%−31.1%−31.2%−4.4%−16.7%−18.9%−2.4%−59.0%—
ACN Accenture plc2 of 9−4.7%−37.3%−33.5%−22.6%−4.1%−14.9%−22.7%−1.9%−35.7%—
WDAY Workday, Inc.2 of 6−2.8%−47.0%−42.4%−17.3%−5.8%−42.3%————
RHI Robert Half Inc.1 of 10−4.0%−40.4%−42.2%−25.8%−7.1%−36.2%−31.2%−3.1%−54.4%−67.9%
MAN ManpowerGroup Inc.2 of 10−5.9%−43.2%−44.2%−26.3%−7.2%−26.5%−39.9%−3.4%−68.1%−41.7%
INTU Intuit Inc.2 of 10−6.0%−42.7%−36.3%−20.8%−6.5%−24.8%−18.0%−3.4%−38.3%−66.0%
PAYX Paychex, Inc.3 of 10−4.3%−22.6%−44.1%−17.4%−7.1%−14.8%−14.6%−1.0%−49.5%−64.9%
ASUR Asure Software, Inc.1 of 10−7.6%−34.8%−42.7%−65.9%−6.8%−29.9%−19.6%−5.1%−90.7%−92.8%
FIS Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.3 of 9−20.2%−38.5%−34.7%−13.1%−8.0%−23.4%−23.3%0.0%−46.4%—
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How closely does ADP move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares ADP with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than ADP's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ADP This pageAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.89%88%1.010.79
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.114%79%1.450.97
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.110%114%0.971.12
PCTY Paylocity Holding Corporation94%106%0.890.88
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.90%105%0.850.90
KFY Korn Ferry129%157%0.821.41
ORCL Oracle Corporation131%159%0.821.30
INTU Intuit Inc.99%126%0.791.03
BBSI Barrett Business Services, Inc.106%136%0.781.25
PAYX Paychex, Inc.87%114%0.770.89
TNET TriNet Group, Inc.122%161%0.761.20
SAP SAP SE112%152%0.741.10
WDAY Workday, Inc.96%139%0.701.19
NSP Insperity, Inc.83%126%0.661.01
ACN Accenture plc117%186%0.631.12
RHI Robert Half Inc.92%160%0.571.21
ASUR Asure Software, Inc.71%128%0.550.86
MAN ManpowerGroup Inc.101%191%0.531.39
TBI TrueBlue, Inc.90%231%0.391.70
FIS Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.54%150%0.360.82
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What diversifies ADP?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with ADP's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing ADP with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which ADP lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% ADP and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252023202220082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (this page)1.00+53.6%0.49−10.2%−0.3%−1.3%−9.0%−32.7%−6.4%23.9%+7.6%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.30+119%1.48+27.1%+17.4%+3.8%———19.8%+9.9%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.10+225%1.34+32.8%+42.0%+6.0%−20.8%——19.5%+11.8%
PJUL Broad MarketInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF0.49+64.4%1.20+12.8%+19.9%−2.1%———19.9%+8.6%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.42+101%1.04+9.7%+8.0%+10.4%———20.5%+9.6%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.49+83.3%1.00+11.9%+1.8%+7.1%———20.6%+8.9%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.19+323%0.97+49.2%+73.4%−33.5%−44.7%−47.0%−14.6%21.5%+14.3%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.40+85.0%0.96+23.1%+20.1%−5.1%———20.1%+9.2%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares-0.01+126%0.96+63.7%+12.7%−0.8%+4.9%——19.4%+10.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252023202220082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (this page)1.00+53.6%0.49−10.2%−0.3%−1.3%−9.0%−32.7%−6.4%23.9%+7.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.14+479%1.55+76.3%+34.1%+54.1%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%20.5%+14.1%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.10+3,143%1.47+220%+160%+1.3%−20.5%−65.1%−25.6%23.4%+26.6%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.16+1,636%1.46+121%+79.6%+17.0%−15.2%−9.4%+73.7%22.4%+22.5%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.16+413%1.44+44.5%+24.1%+51.8%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%20.5%+13.5%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.30+690%1.41+19.2%+30.4%+86.6%———21.9%+15.9%
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Common questions

What was ADP's worst drawdown?

ADP's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 59.6%, from November 2000 to March 2003. It took about eight years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ADP's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ADP's best year was 2013, when it returned 45.6%. Its worst was 2002, with a return of -32.7%.

Is there a better investment than ADP?

Among ADP's popular alternatives, NOW was ahead of ADP in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (45.5% volatility against 22.9%). Looking beyond its popular alternatives, GD (aerospace & defense) and ITA (aerospace & defense) earned more than ADP with less volatility over the past 5 years. GD returned 12.9% a year at 20.8% volatility, against 9.0% a year at 22.9%.

Is ADP more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ADP's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.9%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADP's return lands within 22.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is ADP's Sharpe ratio?

ADP's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.49, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ADP earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is ADP with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ADP's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.55 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ADP instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ADP holding.

What are the best alternatives to ADP?

None of the 19 popular alternatives we compared outperformed ADP in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, which says more about ADP's strength than about its alternatives.

Did ADP outperform the S&P 500?

ADP finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 17 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -10.2%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ADP do in stock market crashes?

ADP fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when ADP fell 35.7% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies ADP?

These had a low correlation with ADP over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.30), DXJ (correlation 0.10) and PJUL (correlation 0.49); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.14), CLS (correlation 0.10) and FIX (correlation 0.16). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to ADP

Other stocks and ETFs