Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) vs Union Pacific Corporation (UNP)
ADP leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Union Pacific 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
UNP
Union Pacific Corporation
$272.70Industrials
Total return — ADP vs UNP
growth of $100 · last 30yADP +1446.2%UNP +2250.9%UNP compounded faster
ADP UNP
ADP vs UNP: by the numbers
- •UNP is the larger company ($161.91B vs $90.42B market cap).
- •ADP trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.08 vs 22.46 P/E).
- •UNP converts more revenue to profit (29.20% vs 20.12% net margin).
- •ADP grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.08% vs 5.05% CAGR).
- •ADP pays the higher dividend yield (2.94% vs 2.02%).
Which is better, ADP or UNP?
Metric tally: ADP 11 · UNP 6It 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 | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.08● | 22.46 |
| Forward P/E | 20.43 | 19.87● |
| P/S ratio | 4.21● | 6.55 |
| P/B ratio | 14.33 | 8.34● |
| PEG ratio | 3.20 | 2.34● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.14● | 14.73 |
| FCF yield | 5.66%● | 3.52% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADP | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.48%● | 45.67% |
| Operating margin | 19.20% | 40.09%● |
| Net margin | 20.12% | 29.20%● |
| ROE | 68.43%● | 37.15% |
| ROIC | 24.66%● | 11.70% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADP | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.94%● | 2.02% |
| Payout ratio | 66.27% | 45.96% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADP | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.08%● | 5.05% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.83%● | 8.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.52%● | 0.04% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.80% | 6.62%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADP or UNP?
- 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 11 to 6.
- Is ADP or UNP cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADP is cheaper: ADP trades at a 21.08 P/E and UNP at 22.46.
- Which has grown faster, ADP or UNP?
- Over the past five years, ADP grew revenue faster — ADP at a 8.08% CAGR versus UNP at 5.05%.
- Does ADP or UNP pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP yields 2.94% and UNP yields 2.02% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ADP or UNP more profitable?
- UNP runs the higher net margin — ADP at 20.12% versus UNP at 29.20%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADP or UNP?
- Over the past 10-year, UNP delivered the higher annualized total return — ADP at 12.45% versus UNP at 14.35%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Automatic Data Processing P/E ratioUnion Pacific P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldUnion Pacific dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing ROEUnion Pacific ROEAutomatic Data Processing operating marginUnion Pacific operating marginAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthUnion Pacific revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing free cash flowUnion Pacific free cash flow
Automatic Data Processing & Union Pacific 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.