Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
ADP leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$226.21Industrials
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$313.91Industrials
Total return — ADP vs NSC
growth of $100 · last 30yADP +1446.2%NSC +1021.1%ADP compounded faster
ADP NSC
ADP vs NSC: by the numbers
- •ADP is the larger company ($90.42B vs $70.50B market cap).
- •ADP trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.08 vs 26.45 P/E).
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 20.12% net margin).
- •ADP grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.08% vs 4.45% CAGR).
- •ADP pays the higher dividend yield (2.94% vs 1.72%).
Which is better, ADP or NSC?
Metric tally: ADP 12 · NSC 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueADP(lower P/E)
GrowthADP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeADP(higher dividend yield)
QualityADP(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ADP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.08● | 26.45 |
| Forward P/E | 20.43● | 23.20 |
| P/S ratio | 4.21● | 5.80 |
| P/B ratio | 14.33 | 4.47● |
| PEG ratio | 3.20 | 2.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.14● | 15.65 |
| FCF yield | 5.66%● | 5.41% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.48%● | 45.31% |
| Operating margin | 19.20% | 32.39%● |
| Net margin | 20.12% | 21.91%● |
| ROE | 68.43%● | 16.89% |
| ROIC | 24.66%● | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.94%● | 1.72% |
| Payout ratio | 66.27% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.08%● | 4.45% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.83%● | 10.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.52%● | 10.65% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.80% | 5.11%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADP or NSC?
- It depends on your goal. value: ADP (lower P/E); growth: ADP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ADP (higher dividend yield); quality: ADP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADP leads 12 to 5.
- Is ADP or NSC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADP is cheaper: ADP trades at a 21.08 P/E and NSC at 26.45.
- Which has grown faster, ADP or NSC?
- Over the past five years, ADP grew revenue faster — ADP at a 8.08% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
- Does ADP or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP yields 2.94% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ADP or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — ADP at 20.12% versus NSC at 21.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADP or NSC?
- Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — ADP at 12.45% versus NSC at 16.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Automatic Data Processing P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing ROENorfolk Southern ROEAutomatic Data Processing operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Automatic Data Processing & Norfolk Southern 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 14, 2026.