Oak Thistle LLC Acquires New Stake in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP

Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 13,333 shares of the business services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $3,430,000. Automatic Data Processing comprises 0.5% of Oak Thistle LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Martel Wealth Advisors Inc lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Martel Wealth Advisors Inc now owns 1,088 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $280,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. South Shore Capital Advisors bought a new position in Automatic Data Processing in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $247,000. Forbes J M & Co. LLP lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Forbes J M & Co. LLP now owns 9,447 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $2,430,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 12.2% in the 4th quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 1,583 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 21.2% in the 4th quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,208 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,140,000 after acquiring an additional 2,135 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.03% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Automatic Data Processing from $262.00 to $214.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 27th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $311.00 to $274.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $306.00 price objective for the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $284.77.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP David Foskett sold 266 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.00, for a total value of $63,042.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 10,954 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,596,098. This trade represents a 2.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Brian L. Michaud sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.18, for a total value of $234,180.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 15,310 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,585,295.80. This represents a 6.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 3,158 shares of company stock valued at $766,263 in the last 90 days. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Automatic Data Processing Price Performance

Shares of Automatic Data Processing stock opened at $203.61 on Wednesday. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a one year low of $197.08 and a one year high of $329.93. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $216.21 and its 200 day moving average is $248.76. The stock has a market cap of $81.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.58 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.05. Automatic Data Processing had a return on equity of 68.44% and a net margin of 19.96%.The company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.34 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.35 EPS. Automatic Data Processing’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Automatic Data Processing has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.091-11.011 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 9.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th were issued a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 13th. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.38%.

Automatic Data Processing declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Wednesday, January 14th that authorizes the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the business services provider to buy up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

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.