Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)
ADP leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though UPS is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and United Parcel Service, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$226.21Industrials
UPS
United Parcel Service, Inc.
$108.10Industrials
Not enough overlapping price history to compare ADP and UPS.
ADP vs UPS: by the numbers
- •UPS is the larger company ($91.89B vs $90.42B market cap).
- •UPS trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.49 vs 21.08 P/E).
- •ADP converts more revenue to profit (20.12% vs 5.94% net margin).
- •ADP grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.08% vs -0.23% CAGR).
- •UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.07% vs 2.94%).
Which is better, ADP or UPS?
Metric tally: ADP 9 · UPS 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueUPS(lower P/E)
GrowthADP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUPS(higher dividend yield)
QualityADP(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ADP | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.08 | 17.49● |
| Forward P/E | 20.43 | 13.65● |
| P/S ratio | 4.21 | 1.04● |
| P/B ratio | 14.33 | 5.83● |
| PEG ratio | 3.20 | 0.52● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.09 | 9.55● |
| FCF yield | 5.66%● | 4.91% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADP | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.48%● | 17.79% |
| Operating margin | 19.20%● | 8.46% |
| Net margin | 20.12%● | 5.94% |
| ROE | 68.43%● | 33.30% |
| ROIC | 24.66%● | 10.40% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADP | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.94% | 6.07%● |
| Payout ratio | 66.27% | 100.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADP | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.08%● | -0.23% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.83% | 33.45%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.52%● | -8.72% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.80%● | -7.79% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADP or UPS?
- It depends on your goal. value: UPS (lower P/E); growth: ADP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UPS (higher dividend yield); quality: ADP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADP leads 9 to 8.
- Is ADP or UPS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, UPS is cheaper: ADP trades at a 21.08 P/E and UPS at 17.49.
- Which has grown faster, ADP or UPS?
- Over the past five years, ADP grew revenue faster — ADP at a 8.08% CAGR versus UPS at -0.23%.
- Does ADP or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP yields 2.94% and UPS yields 6.07% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ADP or UPS more profitable?
- ADP runs the higher net margin — ADP at 20.12% versus UPS at 5.94%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADP or UPS?
- Over the past 10-year, ADP delivered the higher annualized total return — ADP at 12.45% versus UPS at 4.22%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Automatic Data Processing P/E ratioUnited Parcel Service P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldUnited Parcel Service dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing ROEUnited Parcel Service ROEAutomatic Data Processing operating marginUnited Parcel Service operating marginAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthUnited Parcel Service revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing free cash flowUnited Parcel Service free cash flow
Automatic Data Processing & United Parcel Service 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 13, 2026.