Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs VeriSign (VRSN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
VeriSign (VRSN) has outperformed Automatic Data Processing (ADP) over the past year, gaining 11.2% versus a loss of 6.9%. Over five years, VRSN leads with a +38.8% price change compared with +27.1% for ADP. Automatic Data Processing is the larger company by market cap ($107.36 billion vs $27.66 billion), about 3.9 times the size.
On valuation, Automatic Data Processing trades at a lower forward P/E (20.2x vs 27.7x for VeriSign). Automatic Data Processing offers the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 1.03%). VeriSign converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 49.8% 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 | ADP | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $270.93 | $305.92 |
| Market cap | $107.36B | $27.66B |
| 1-day change | +0.07% | +2.73% |
| YTD return | +5.25% | +22.57% |
| 1-year return | -6.87% | +11.17% |
| 5-year return | +27.12% | +38.85% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.77 | 33.22 |
| Forward P/E | 20.22 | 27.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.94 | $9.21 |
| Dividend yield | 2.45% | 1.03% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $3.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $1.66B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +6.37% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $825.70M |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | 88.15% |
| Operating margin | — | 67.67% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 49.84% |
| 52-week high | $288.00 | $312.48 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $208.86 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.93% | -2.10% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.71% | +6.04% |
| Average volume | 2.23M | 803.85K |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 90.40M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 926 |
| 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 3.9 times larger than VeriSign by market value ($107.36B vs $27.66B).
- VRSN has outperformed ADP by 18.0 percentage points over the past year.
- VeriSign trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.2x vs 24.8x trailing P/E).
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 1.03%).
- VeriSign is more profitable, keeping 49.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.1 cents for Automatic Data Processing.
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 VeriSign
VRSN stock →VeriSign, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides internet infrastructure and domain name registry services that enables internet navigation for various recognized domain names worldwide. The company provides root zone maintainer services, operating two of thirteen internet root servers; and offering registration services and authoritative resolution for the .com and .net domains, which supports global e-commerce.
Technology · EDP Services · 926 employees
ADP vs VRSN FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or VeriSign?
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $107.36B compared with $27.66B for VeriSign (VRSN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or VRSN?
VRSN returned +11.17% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.87% for ADP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADP or VRSN?
ADP has the lower trailing P/E at 24.8, versus 33.2 for VRSN. 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 VeriSign?
Automatic Data Processing has the higher yield at 2.45%, compared with 1.03% for VeriSign.
Are Automatic Data Processing and VeriSign in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.