Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) vs Cintas Corporation (CTAS)
ADP leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Cintas Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$222.00Industrials
CTAS
Cintas Corporation
$176.71Industrials
Total return — ADP vs CTAS
growth of $100 · last 30yADP +1420.6%CTAS +3826.9%CTAS compounded faster
ADP CTAS
ADP vs CTAS: by the numbers
- •ADP is the larger company ($88.15B vs $70.71B market cap).
- •ADP trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.69 vs 37.28 P/E).
- •ADP converts more revenue to profit (20.12% vs 17.57% net margin).
- •CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs 8.08% CAGR).
- •ADP pays the higher dividend yield (2.99% vs 1.02%).
Which is better, ADP or CTAS?
Metric tally: ADP 11 · CTAS 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueADP(lower P/E)
GrowthCTAS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeADP(higher dividend yield)
QualityADP(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ADP | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.69● | 37.28 |
| Forward P/E | 20.05● | 32.51 |
| P/S ratio | 4.13● | 6.52 |
| P/B ratio | 14.06● | 15.01 |
| PEG ratio | 3.20 | 3.08● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.88● | 24.55 |
| FCF yield | 5.77%● | 2.49% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADP | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.48% | 50.36%● |
| Operating margin | 19.20% | 22.95%● |
| Net margin | 20.12%● | 17.57% |
| ROE | 68.43%● | 40.46% |
| ROIC | 24.66%● | 22.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADP | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.99%● | 1.02% |
| Payout ratio | 66.27% | 40.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADP | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.08% | 9.83%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.83% | 16.48%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.52%● | 9.81% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.51% | 15.72%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADP or CTAS?
- It depends on your goal. value: ADP (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ADP (higher dividend yield); quality: ADP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADP leads 11 to 6.
- Is ADP or CTAS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADP is cheaper: ADP trades at a 20.69 P/E and CTAS at 37.28.
- Which has grown faster, ADP or CTAS?
- Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — ADP at a 8.08% CAGR versus CTAS at 9.83%.
- Does ADP or CTAS pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP yields 2.99% and CTAS yields 1.02% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ADP or CTAS more profitable?
- ADP runs the higher net margin — ADP at 20.12% versus CTAS at 17.57%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADP or CTAS?
- Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — ADP at 12.11% versus CTAS at 23.58%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Automatic Data Processing P/E ratioCintas P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldCintas dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing ROECintas ROEAutomatic Data Processing operating marginCintas operating marginAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthCintas revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing free cash flowCintas free cash flow
Automatic Data Processing & Cintas appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 17, 2026.