Adobe (ADBE) vs Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) has outperformed Adobe (ADBE) over the past year, losing 9.5% versus a loss of 33.3%. Over five years, ADP leads with a +24.5% price change compared with -61.9% for ADBE. Automatic Data Processing is the larger company by market cap ($104.61 billion vs $90.59 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Adobe is growing revenue faster (+10.5% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Adobe trades at a lower forward P/E (8.4x vs 19.7x for Automatic Data Processing). Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Adobe does not currently pay one. Adobe converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 30.0% versus 20.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ADBE | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $232.77 | $264.00 |
| Market cap | $90.59B | $104.61B |
| 1-day change | -2.25% | +0.63% |
| YTD return | -33.61% | +3.07% |
| 1-year return | -33.29% | -9.50% |
| 5-year return | -61.91% | +24.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.00 | 24.13 |
| Forward P/E | 8.41 | 19.70 |
| EPS (TTM) | $17.91 | $10.94 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.52% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $6.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $23.77B | $21.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.53% | +6.74% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.13B | $4.41B |
| Gross margin | 89.27% | 46.42% |
| Operating margin | 36.63% | — |
| Net margin | 30.00% | 20.11% |
| 52-week high | $363.70 | $292.80 |
| 52-week low | $190.12 | $188.16 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.00% | -9.84% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.17% | +8.48% |
| Average volume | 5.01M | 2.25M |
| Shares outstanding | 389.20M | 396.25M |
| Employees | 31,360 | 67,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Software - Application | Software - Application |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ADP has outperformed ADBE by 23.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Automatic Data Processing trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.1x vs 13.0x trailing P/E).
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 0.00%).
- Adobe is more profitable, keeping 30.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.1 cents for Automatic Data Processing.
About Adobe
ADBE stock →Adobe Inc. operates as a technology company worldwide.
Technology · Software - Application · 31,360 employees
About Automatic Data Processing
ADP stock →Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions worldwide.
Technology · Software - Application · 67,000 employees
ADBE vs ADP FAQ
Which is bigger, Adobe or Automatic Data Processing?
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $104.61B compared with $90.59B for Adobe (ADBE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADBE or ADP?
ADP returned -9.50% over the past 12 months, compared with -33.29% for ADBE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADBE or ADP?
ADBE has the lower trailing P/E at 13.0, versus 24.1 for ADP. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Adobe or Automatic Data Processing?
Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Adobe does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Adobe and Automatic Data Processing in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Software - Application industry within the Technology sector.