BetterThanSPY

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 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against ADP →Chart ADP vs. 19 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about ADP

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

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
  • CTAS$440,279+4,303% total · +13.9% a year
  • NSP$293,024+2,830% total · +12.4% a year
  • ORCL$284,972+2,750% total · +12.2% 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
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,656 of the 3,630 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
  • CACI$23,239+132% total · +18.4% a year
  • CTAS$21,474+115% total · +16.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • RSG$18,545+85.5% total · +13.1% a year
  • NSIT$17,354+73.5% total · +11.7% a year
  • EBF$17,076+70.8% total · +11.3% 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
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

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
$122B
Industry
Software - Application
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+11.6%total return
Past 3 years
+37.2%+11.1% a year
Past 5 years
+58.1%+9.6% a year
Past 10 years
+337%+15.9% a year
Best calendar year
+45.6%2013
Worst calendar year
−32.7%2002
Losing years
6 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
23.0%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.52return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−59.6%Nov 2000 to Mar 2003
From its all-time high
−2.1%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+11.6%1,568 of 3,282top 48%
3-year return+37.2%1,762 of 3,016bottom 43%
5-year return+58.1%1,025 of 2,897top 35%
10-year return+337%507 of 2,201top 23%
Volatility, 5 years23.0%208 of 2,897top 7%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.52903 of 2,897top 31%
Worst decline, past 10 years−40.8%168 of 2,184top 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 93 more of the 279 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 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%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ADPJNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%IVW: +12.6% a year, volatility 21.6%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%DGRW: +11.7% a year, volatility 14.0%MGV: +12.8% a year, volatility 13.4%SPHQ: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.7%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.9%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +10.9% a year, volatility 11.9%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%IDMO: +12.8% a year, volatility 18.3%JMOM: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.1%HFXI: +11.2% a year, volatility 15.3%DSTL: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.2%DDWM: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.4%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%SPGM: +10.6% a year, volatility 16.2%IHE: +12.9% a year, volatility 16.8%FFLC: +15.5% a year, volatility 16.8%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%RAAX: +11.5% a year, volatility 15.7%DBA: +10.8% a year, volatility 13.8%INFL: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.8%BKIE: +11.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USXF: +12.7% a year, volatility 20.2%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%FTQI: +11.4% a year, volatility 14.8%UTES: +13.4% a year, volatility 21.1%HLAL: +13.6% a year, volatility 18.0%EWJV: +15.1% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEU: +11.0% a year, volatility 14.4%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%QSPT: +11.9% a year, volatility 14.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%FXU: +11.6% a year, volatility 16.7%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%DJD: +12.5% a year, volatility 13.3%PJP: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.6%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%MO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%CM: +19.5% a year, volatility 21.6%EPD: +16.3% a year, volatility 17.1%BMO: +14.0% a year, volatility 21.4%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%SO: +12.3% a year, volatility 18.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.8%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%SPYV: +11.6% a year, volatility 14.2%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%SLF: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%TPYP: +17.2% a year, volatility 17.3%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%XLI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.6%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.6%L: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.2%HDV: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.0%CNP: +12.0% a year, volatility 19.7%AVDV: +13.6% a year, volatility 17.4%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%EMXC: +10.9% a year, volatility 19.5%COWZ: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.7%AMLP: +16.4% a year, volatility 18.9%FDVV: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.6%PNW: +14.6% a year, volatility 19.9%PAVE: +14.6% a year, volatility 21.7%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%ITA: +14.4% a year, volatility 20.4%BBCA: +11.5% a year, volatility 16.7%IDV: +12.7% a year, volatility 15.5%ADP: +9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%EBF: +11.5% a year, volatility 21.4%CACI: +16.8% a year, volatility 30.0%NSIT: +12.7% a year, volatility 33.7%CTAS: +17.1% a year, volatility 23.1%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%EQL: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.5%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ADPSPY (S&P 500)EBFCACINSITCTASVTIEQLWMTMPCVIGDXJ5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ADPJNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%LIN: +11.7% a year, volatility 20.9%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%IVW: +12.6% a year, volatility 21.6%AEP: +12.8% a year, volatility 20.2%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%ED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%DGRW: +11.7% a year, volatility 14.0%MGV: +12.8% a year, volatility 13.4%SPHQ: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.7%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%XLG: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.9%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%DIVO: +10.9% a year, volatility 11.9%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%IDMO: +12.8% a year, volatility 18.3%JMOM: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.1%HFXI: +11.2% a year, volatility 15.3%DSTL: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.2%DDWM: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.4%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%SPGM: +10.6% a year, volatility 16.2%IHE: +12.9% a year, volatility 16.8%FFLC: +15.5% a year, volatility 16.8%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%RAAX: +11.5% a year, volatility 15.7%DBA: +10.8% a year, volatility 13.8%INFL: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.8%BKIE: +11.4% a year, volatility 16.4%USXF: +12.7% a year, volatility 20.2%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%FTQI: +11.4% a year, volatility 14.8%UTES: +13.4% a year, volatility 21.1%HLAL: +13.6% a year, volatility 18.0%EWJV: +15.1% a year, volatility 18.2%DBEU: +11.0% a year, volatility 14.4%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%QSPT: +11.9% a year, volatility 14.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%FXU: +11.6% a year, volatility 16.7%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%DJD: +12.5% a year, volatility 13.3%PJP: +11.3% a year, volatility 16.6%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%MO: +18.3% a year, volatility 21.4%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%CM: +19.5% a year, volatility 21.6%EPD: +16.3% a year, volatility 17.1%BMO: +14.0% a year, volatility 21.4%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%SO: +12.3% a year, volatility 18.9%CME: +11.6% a year, volatility 20.8%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%GD: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.8%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%SPYV: +11.6% a year, volatility 14.2%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%SLF: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%TPYP: +17.2% a year, volatility 17.3%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%XLI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.6%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.6%L: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.2%HDV: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.0%CNP: +12.0% a year, volatility 19.7%AVDV: +13.6% a year, volatility 17.4%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%EMXC: +10.9% a year, volatility 19.5%COWZ: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.7%AMLP: +16.4% a year, volatility 18.9%FDVV: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.6%PNW: +14.6% a year, volatility 19.9%PAVE: +14.6% a year, volatility 21.7%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%ITA: +14.4% a year, volatility 20.4%BBCA: +11.5% a year, volatility 16.7%IDV: +12.7% a year, volatility 15.5%ADP: +9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%EBF: +11.5% a year, volatility 21.4%CACI: +16.8% a year, volatility 30.0%NSIT: +12.7% a year, volatility 33.7%CTAS: +17.1% a year, volatility 23.1%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%VTI: +11.4% a year, volatility 17.5%VOO: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%EQL: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.5%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ADPSPY (S&P 500)CACINSITCTASVTIEQLWMTMPCVIGDXJ
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

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 13 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
+9.6%23.0%0.52−40.8%+337%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.550.09%
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 4 shownEverything else in Business Services and the categories next to it (IT Services, Application Software, Engineering & Construction), plus ADP's specific themes. 4 of 166 passed at least one test.
EBFEnnis, Inc. · Business Services
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+11.5%21.4%0.62−35.4%+167%0.26—
CACICACI International Inc · Business Services
Higher return in most periods+16.8%30.0%0.67−42.9%+512%0.19—
NSITInsight Enterprises, Inc. · IT Services
Higher return in most periods+12.7%33.7%0.53−71.4%+410%0.34—
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Higher return, similar volatility+17.1%23.1%0.80−48.4%+834%0.68—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 476 of 3,481 passed at least one test.
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.45—
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%0.540.03%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%0.540.03%
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.47—
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.4%14.5%0.94−34.2%+385%0.560.19%
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+21.1%22.6%0.97−25.7%+521%0.26—
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil Refining
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+50.0%33.4%1.39−79.7%+1,314%0.30—
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+258%0.600.04%
What these numbers mean for ADP
Annual return
ADP returned 9.6% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $15,800. 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 23.0%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADP's return lands within 23.0% 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 0.52, against 0.78 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 279 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ADP with less volatility

Out of 3,641 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. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.45—
2
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.4%17.5%0.71−35.0%+298%0.540.03%
3
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.6%16.9%0.79−34.0%+319%0.540.03%
4
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.47—
5
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.19—
6
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.300.40%
7
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.19—
8
LINLinde plc · Chemicals
Whole market+11.7%20.9%0.64−32.6%+404%0.40—
9
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+206%-0.010.40%
10
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.4%14.5%0.94−34.2%+385%0.560.19%
11
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+11.6%13.8%0.87−35.2%+209%0.540.04%
12
IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+12.6%21.6%0.66−32.7%+398%0.500.18%
13
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.8%20.2%0.70−32.9%+192%0.17—
14
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+11.0%10.5%1.04−13.6%—0.430.85%
15
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.4%17.5%0.86−34.7%—0.520.26%
16
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.7%18.9%0.73−30.9%+123%0.31—
17
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.9%18.5%0.90−32.9%+207%0.31—
18
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.360.27%
19
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+485%0.380.13%
20
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.9%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.530.15%
21
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.5%20.3%0.81−30.9%+166%0.25—
22
DGRWWisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+11.7%14.0%0.87−32.0%+271%0.560.28%
23
MGVVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.8%13.4%0.96−35.4%+247%0.520.05%
24
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.7%16.7%0.75−31.6%+295%0.450.20%
25
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.28—
26
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.8%0.95−32.5%+204%0.400.35%
27
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.6%17.2%0.94−31.4%+357%0.470.40%
28
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.5%18.9%0.77−30.5%+369%0.470.20%
29
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.5%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.610.12%
30
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Covered Call Income
Whole market+10.9%11.9%0.94−30.0%—0.580.56%
31
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.0%18.8%1.25−75.2%+337%0.28—
32
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.5%21.3%0.83−32.0%+384%0.380.50%
33
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+223%0.580.20%
34
IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity
Whole market+12.8%18.3%0.76−31.3%+224%0.490.25%
35
JMOMJPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+12.3%19.1%0.70−34.3%—0.490.12%
36
HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+11.2%15.3%0.78−32.4%+178%0.340.19%
37
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.7%16.2%0.77−33.1%—0.640.39%
38
DDWMWisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.2%13.4%0.93−35.0%+148%0.370.40%
39
QUSState Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+11.1%14.2%0.81−33.8%+276%0.600.15%
40
SPGMState Street SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+10.6%16.2%0.71−34.0%+223%0.480.09%
41
IHEiShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.9%16.8%0.81−29.6%+157%0.340.37%
42
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Active Core Equity
Whole market+15.5%16.8%0.94−19.7%—0.460.38%
43
IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+14.7%14.9%1.00−34.7%—0.570.19%
44
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Real Assets
Whole market+11.5%15.7%0.78−33.9%—0.340.55%
45
DBAInvesco DB Agriculture Fund · Agricultural Commodities
Whole market+10.8%13.8%0.81−35.3%+58.9%0.210.90%
46
INFLHorizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+11.6%17.8%0.71−21.3%—0.500.85%
47
BKIEBNY Mellon International Equity ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+11.4%16.4%0.74−28.2%—0.410.04%
48
USXFiShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF · Large-Cap ESG
Whole market+12.7%20.2%0.69−29.6%—0.490.10%
49
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+20.9%19.3%1.09−31.3%+339%0.130.45%
50
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+158%0.340.36%
51
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%16.9%0.77−32.1%+155%0.330.60%
52
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Nasdaq Options Income
Whole market+11.4%14.8%0.81−19.5%+118%0.360.75%
53
UTESVirtus Reaves Utilities ETF · Utilities Equity
Whole market+13.4%21.1%0.71−35.4%+211%0.340.49%
54
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Faith-Based Equity
Whole market+13.6%18.0%0.80−33.6%—0.460.50%
55
EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+15.1%18.2%0.87−30.1%—0.230.15%
56
DBEUXtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF · European Equity
Whole market+11.0%14.4%0.80−34.5%+177%0.440.46%
57
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.9%12.7%1.02−18.4%—0.520.31%
58
QSPTFT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - September · Nasdaq-100 Buffer
Whole market+11.9%14.9%0.83−22.6%—0.440.90%
59
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.100.48%
60
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.27—
61
FXUFirst Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund · Utilities Equity
Whole market+11.6%16.7%0.75−34.8%+143%0.370.61%
62
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.570.49%
63
DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+12.5%13.3%0.95−34.7%+233%0.480.07%
64
EBFEnnis, Inc. · Business Services
Same or nearby category+11.5%21.4%0.62−35.4%+167%0.26—
65
PJPInvesco Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+11.3%16.6%0.73−34.0%+139%0.360.58%
66
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.26—
67
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.3%21.4%0.90−53.7%+133%0.20—
68
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.8%20.4%0.82−42.6%+256%0.27—
69
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.5%21.6%0.94−47.3%+409%0.22—
70
EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+16.3%17.1%0.98−58.1%+178%0.28—
71
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+14.0%21.4%0.72−51.0%+304%0.32—
72
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+13.2%20.0%0.73−46.9%+191%0.37—
73
SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.3%18.9%0.71−38.4%+178%0.23—
74
CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+11.6%20.8%0.63−37.4%+334%0.30—
75
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.5%20.8%0.97−54.9%+344%0.36—
76
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+13.2%20.8%0.70−51.6%+188%0.29—
77
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%19.4%0.70−54.4%+33.3%0.01—
78
SPYVState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.6%14.2%0.85−36.9%+219%0.530.04%
79
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+21.1%18.4%1.14−45.7%—0.200.80%
80
SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+11.9%19.4%0.68−50.8%+260%0.37—
81
TPYPTortoise North American Pipeline ETF · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+17.2%17.3%1.01−51.9%+188%0.380.40%
82
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+193%0.300.25%
83
VYMIVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.8%0.92−40.0%+174%0.350.07%
84
XLIState Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF · US Industrials
Whole market+11.4%17.6%0.70−42.3%+246%0.470.08%
85
PBAPembina Pipeline Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+13.8%21.6%0.71−70.9%+173%0.37—
86
LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.0%19.2%0.83−48.5%+190%0.27—
87
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+13.3%13.0%1.03−37.0%+177%0.490.08%
88
CNPCenterPoint Energy, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.0%19.7%0.68−59.8%+149%0.21—
89
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%17.4%0.82−43.0%—0.350.36%
90
RDVYFirst Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−40.6%+321%0.510.47%
91
EMXCiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+10.9%19.5%0.63−42.8%—0.100.25%
92
COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.6%17.7%0.71−38.7%—0.560.49%
93
AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+16.4%18.9%0.90−72.9%+90.8%0.311.01%
94
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+13.4%14.6%0.94−40.2%+255%0.570.15%
95
PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+14.6%19.9%0.79−39.3%+110%0.24—
96
PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity
Whole market+14.6%21.7%0.74−44.1%—0.460.47%
97
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%14.5%1.02−41.4%+207%0.480.43%
98
ITAiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+14.4%20.4%0.77−51.0%+253%0.290.37%
99
BBCAJPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF · International Equity
Whole market+11.5%16.7%0.74−42.8%—0.490.19%
100
IDViShares International Select Dividend ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.7%15.5%0.85−42.5%+159%0.320.50%

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: 9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%NOW: 2.7% a year, volatility 45.6%PAYC: −12.2% a year, volatility 46.3%KFY: 2.9% a year, volatility 29.8%PCTY: −9.6% a year, volatility 41.2%TNET: −4.3% a year, volatility 38.2%NSP: −12.1% a year, volatility 45.3%TBI: −22.8% a year, volatility 55.2%ACN: −4.2% a year, volatility 32.9%WDAY: −5.7% a year, volatility 41.7%RHI: −16.4% a year, volatility 38.6%MAN: −11.0% a year, volatility 41.5%INTU: −9.0% a year, volatility 39.2%BR: 2.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ORCL: 6.5% a year, volatility 44.3%PAYX: 2.3% a year, volatility 25.1%ASUR: −4.4% a year, volatility 48.3%FIS: −18.9% a year, volatility 34.0%SAP: 12.9% a year, volatility 30.0%BBSI: 11.3% a year, volatility 29.1%ADPSPY (S&P 500)NOWPAYCKFYPCTYTNETNSPTBIACNWDAYRHIMANINTUBRORCLPAYXASURFISSAPBBSI10.0%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: 9.6% a year, volatility 23.0%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%NOW: 2.7% a year, volatility 45.6%PAYC: −12.2% a year, volatility 46.3%KFY: 2.9% a year, volatility 29.8%PCTY: −9.6% a year, volatility 41.2%TNET: −4.3% a year, volatility 38.2%NSP: −12.1% a year, volatility 45.3%TBI: −22.8% a year, volatility 55.2%ACN: −4.2% a year, volatility 32.9%WDAY: −5.7% a year, volatility 41.7%RHI: −16.4% a year, volatility 38.6%MAN: −11.0% a year, volatility 41.5%INTU: −9.0% a year, volatility 39.2%BR: 2.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ORCL: 6.5% a year, volatility 44.3%PAYX: 2.3% a year, volatility 25.1%ASUR: −4.4% a year, volatility 48.3%FIS: −18.9% a year, volatility 34.0%SAP: 12.9% a year, volatility 30.0%BBSI: 11.3% a year, volatility 29.1%ADPSPY (S&P 500)NOWPAYCKFYPCTYTNETNSPTBIACNRHIMANBRORCLPAYXASURFIS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
SAP SAP SE+12.9%30.0%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
BBSI Barrett Business Services, Inc.+11.3%29.1%
ADP This pageAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.+9.6%23.0%
ORCL Oracle Corporation+6.5%44.3%
KFY Korn Ferry+2.9%29.8%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc.+2.7%45.6%
PAYX Paychex, Inc.+2.3%25.1%
BR Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.+2.1%24.7%
ACN Accenture plc−4.2%32.9%
TNET TriNet Group, Inc.−4.3%38.2%
ASUR Asure Software, Inc.−4.4%48.3%
WDAY Workday, Inc.−5.7%41.7%
INTU Intuit Inc.−9.0%39.2%
PCTY Paylocity Holding Corporation−9.6%41.2%
MAN ManpowerGroup Inc.−11.0%41.5%
NSP Insperity, Inc.−12.1%45.3%
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.−12.2%46.3%
RHI Robert Half Inc.−16.4%38.6%
FIS Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.−18.9%34.0%
TBI TrueBlue, Inc.−22.8%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)—+14.2%+27.5%+54.8%+24.5%+11.6%+37.2%+58.1%+337%23.0%0.52−40.8%—$122B—
NOW Software - ApplicationServiceNow, Inc.1/5 short2/3 long+14.6%+64.5%+52.3%+6.5%−16.1%+45.0%+14.3%+869%45.6%0.29−64.5%—$162B—
SAP Software - ApplicationSAP SE1/5 short2/3 long+14.2%+61.7%+40.0%+2.8%−11.8%+88.3%+83.7%+217%30.0%0.56−52.5%—$280B—
BBSI Staffing & Employment ServicesBarrett Business Services, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long−1.4%−16.7%+8.8%−9.1%−20.3%+52.5%+70.4%+232%29.1%0.52−69.6%—$795M—
PAYC Software - ApplicationPaycom Software, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+21.4%+96.0%+110%+80.1%+36.0%+8.4%−47.7%+434%46.3%-0.04−79.0%—$12B—
KFY Staffing & Employment ServicesKorn Ferry0/5 short1/3 long+0.6%−1.5%+15.5%+17.8%+10.9%+80.2%+15.5%+324%29.8%0.25−67.1%—$4.2B—
PCTY Software - ApplicationPaylocity Holding Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+21.9%+47.1%+70.6%+21.9%+16.9%−5.1%−39.6%+286%41.2%-0.04−68.9%—$9.4B—
TNET Staffing & Employment ServicesTriNet Group, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+12.4%+24.9%+85.2%+33.0%+23.7%−30.6%−19.5%+301%38.2%0.08−74.0%—$3.4B—
NSP Staffing & Employment ServicesInsperity, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+6.4%+11.0%+70.1%+46.7%+21.8%−37.5%−47.4%+92.4%45.3%-0.05−83.1%—$2.0B—
TBI Staffing & Employment ServicesTrueBlue, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−11.3%+5.6%+93.0%+100%+54.5%−35.4%−72.5%−50.3%55.2%-0.19−89.9%—$269M—
ACN Information Technology ServicesAccenture plc2/5 short0/3 long+42.0%+86.2%+38.8%+3.0%+7.5%−5.8%−19.2%+167%32.9%0.04−67.8%—$158B—
WDAY Software - ApplicationWorkday, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+11.6%+58.6%+65.9%+2.0%−13.5%+0.2%−25.2%+137%41.7%0.07−63.4%—$51B—
RHI Staffing & Employment ServicesRobert Half Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+0.3%−6.2%+32.4%+46.4%+38.0%−39.2%−59.2%+31.5%38.6%-0.28−79.4%—$3.9B—
MAN Staffing & Employment ServicesManpowerGroup Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−19.1%−9.8%+51.2%+58.6%+46.5%−23.6%−44.3%−19.5%41.5%-0.08−75.5%—$2.2B—
INTU Software - ApplicationIntuit Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+22.0%+25.3%−12.4%−42.8%−46.3%−27.7%−37.5%+251%39.2%-0.04−68.2%—$95B—
BR Information Technology ServicesBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+14.2%+29.9%+17.4%−14.0%−18.3%+13.8%+10.7%+243%24.7%0.21−48.2%—$21B—
ORCL Software - InfrastructureOracle Corporation0/5 short0/3 long−15.6%+0.1%−32.6%−35.0%−53.4%+25.4%+36.7%+281%44.3%0.36−64.6%—$380B—
PAYX Staffing & Employment ServicesPaychex, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+3.7%+8.4%+30.1%+13.1%−2.0%+12.8%+12.1%+189%25.1%0.22−45.0%—$42B—
ASUR Software - ApplicationAsure Software, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−10.0%−3.3%−21.2%−19.1%−13.8%−12.4%−20.1%+7.8%48.3%0.15−77.0%—$212M—
FIS Information Technology ServicesFidelity National Information Services, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+9.5%−4.5%−18.1%−39.8%−41.4%−16.2%−65.0%−38.8%34.0%-0.44−76.0%—$20B—
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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%———
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%
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%
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%———————————
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%
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%
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%
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%
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%—
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%
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+58.1%0.52−10.2%−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+64.2%1.20+12.8%+19.9%−2.1%———19.9%+8.6%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.42+103%1.06+9.7%+8.0%+10.4%———20.5%+9.6%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.49+86.8%1.03+11.9%+1.7%+7.0%———20.6%+8.9%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.40+83.6%0.95+23.1%+20.1%−5.1%———20.1%+9.2%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.19+304%0.94+49.2%+73.4%−33.5%−44.7%−47.0%−14.6%21.5%+14.3%
IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF0.47+107%0.94+27.0%+27.7%−16.3%−36.1%−24.0%−14.3%20.8%+9.8%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20252023202220082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (this page)1.00+58.1%0.52−10.2%−0.3%−1.3%−9.0%−32.7%−6.4%23.9%+7.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.14+471%1.54+76.3%+34.1%+54.1%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%20.5%+14.1%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.10+2,780%1.43+220%+160%+1.3%−20.5%−65.1%−25.6%23.4%+26.6%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.16+397%1.41+44.5%+24.1%+51.8%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%20.5%+13.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.16+1,452%1.41+121%+79.6%+17.0%−15.2%−9.4%+73.7%22.4%+22.5%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.30+660%1.39+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?

Looking beyond its popular alternatives, EBF (business services) earned more than ADP with less volatility over the past 5 years: 11.5% a year at 21.4% volatility, against 9.6% a year at 23.0%. Across the whole market, 279 of the 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than ADP with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them VTI, VOO and BRK-A.

Is ADP more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ADP's volatility over the past 5 years was 23.0%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ADP's return lands within 23.0% 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 0.52, against 0.78 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 MCK (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