Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs Toast (TOST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) has outperformed Toast (TOST) over the past year, losing 9.9% versus a loss of 17.8%. Over five years, ADP leads with a +24.0% price change compared with -45.7% for TOST. Automatic Data Processing is the larger company by market cap ($105.47 billion vs $17.70 billion), about 6.0 times the size, while Toast is growing revenue faster (+24.1% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Toast trades at a lower forward P/E (17.7x vs 19.9x for Automatic Data Processing). Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.49%, while Toast does not currently pay one. Automatic Data Processing converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.1% versus 5.6%.
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 | ADP | TOST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $266.16 | $30.63 |
| Market cap | $105.47B | $17.70B |
| 1-day change | +0.82% | +0.25% |
| YTD return | +2.63% | -13.97% |
| 1-year return | -9.88% | -17.81% |
| 5-year return | +23.96% | -45.65% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.33 | 38.77 |
| Forward P/E | 19.86 | 17.65 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.94 | $0.79 |
| Dividend yield | 2.49% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $6.15B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +24.05% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $342.00M |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | 25.89% |
| Operating margin | — | 4.75% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 5.56% |
| 52-week high | $291.34 | $39.73 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $22.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.64% | -22.91% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.60% | +27.09% |
| Average volume | 2.24M | 9.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 514.00M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 6,500 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | EDP Services | EDP Services |
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
- Automatic Data Processing is about 6.0 times larger than Toast by market value ($105.47B vs $17.70B).
- Toast trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.8x vs 24.3x trailing P/E).
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.49% vs 0.00%).
- Automatic Data Processing is more profitable, keeping 20.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.6 cents for Toast.
- Toast grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.05% vs +6.74%).
About Automatic Data Processing
ADP stock →Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions worldwide.
Technology · EDP Services · 67,000 employees
About Toast
TOST stock →Toast, Inc. operates a cloud-based digital technology platform for the restaurant industry in the United States, Ireland, India, and internationally.
Technology · EDP Services · 6,500 employees
ADP vs TOST FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or Toast?
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $105.47B compared with $17.70B for Toast (TOST).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or TOST?
ADP returned -9.88% over the past 12 months, compared with -17.81% for TOST (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADP or TOST?
ADP has the lower trailing P/E at 24.3, versus 38.8 for TOST. 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, Automatic Data Processing or Toast?
Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.49%, while Toast does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Automatic Data Processing and Toast in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.