Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management Sells 11,854 Shares of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP

Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management reduced its position in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 19.0% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 50,376 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 11,854 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management’s holdings in Automatic Data Processing were worth $12,958,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 41,689,633 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $12,235,907,000 after purchasing an additional 389,451 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 1.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 18,782,407 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $5,820,445,000 after purchasing an additional 187,415 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 1.5% during the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,021,194 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $2,354,220,000 after purchasing an additional 116,074 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 47.8% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,830,294 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $2,004,691,000 after buying an additional 2,208,927 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 5.7% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,837,993 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,419,951,000 after buying an additional 261,312 shares during the last quarter. 80.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

More Automatic Data Processing News

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

• Positive Sentiment: ADP’s own March National Employment Report showed private sector employment rose +62,000 and annual pay was up 4.5%, data that supports continued demand for payroll and HR services. ADP National Employment Report
• Positive Sentiment: ADP research shows small private firms (sub-50 employees) drove the bulk of payroll gains last month (+85k in a cited dataset), a favorable trend for ADP’s SMB-facing products. No Foolin’: ADP Jobs Led by Small Companies
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary urging investors to retain ADP points to steady revenue growth, rising EPS outlook and a strong dividend track record — supportive for longer‑term holders. Here’s Why You Should Retain ADP Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS reaffirmed a Hold rating on ADP, signaling no immediate upside from that shop but not a fresh sell signal either. UBS Reaffirms Hold on ADP
• Negative Sentiment: Investors advanced an ERISA suit over ADP 401(k) plan fees — potential legal exposure and reputational risk that can pressure the stock. ADP 401(k) Investors Advance ERISA Suit
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo cut its price target sharply (to $214 from $262) and reiterated an Underweight rating, citing multiple‑compression — a clear near‑term headwind for investor sentiment. Wells Fargo Cuts Price Target on ADP
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest in ADP rose ~18% in March, indicating increasing bearish bets that can amplify downside pressure if sentiment deteriorates. ADP Short Interest Up 18%
• Negative Sentiment: High‑profile criticism from commentators (e.g., Jim Cramer) that the company can be “disenfranchised” like peers may accelerate fund flow out of the name and weigh on retail sentiment. Jim Cramer on ADP

Insider Buying and Selling at Automatic Data Processing

In other news, VP David Kwon sold 806 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction on Monday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.80, for a total transaction of $213,428.80. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 11,187 shares in the company, valued at $2,962,317.60. This trade represents a 6.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP David Foskett sold 266 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.00, for a total transaction of $63,042.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 10,954 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,596,098. The trade was a 2.37% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 4,058 shares of company stock valued at $1,000,263. 0.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Automatic Data Processing Stock Down 0.9%

Automatic Data Processing stock opened at $201.28 on Thursday. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a one year low of $197.08 and a one year high of $329.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $220.50 and a 200 day moving average of $251.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market cap of $81.04 billion, a PE ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.86.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 return on equity of 68.44% and a net margin of 19.96%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.35 earnings per share. Automatic Data Processing has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.091-11.011 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 9.93 EPS for the current year.

Automatic Data Processing declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, January 14th that authorizes the company to buyback $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the business services provider to repurchase up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th were issued a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 13th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.38%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on ADP shares. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $303.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a report on Thursday, March 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $270.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $230.00 price target (down from $245.00) on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $306.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $284.77.

About Automatic Data Processing

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.