Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)
ADP leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 29, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$223.55Industrials
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
$225.53Industrials
Total return — ADP vs WM
growth of $100 · last 30yADP +1359.2%WM +664.5%ADP compounded faster
ADP WM
ADP vs WM: by the numbers
- •WM is the larger company ($90.57B vs $89.36B market cap).
- •ADP trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.83 vs 32.64 P/E).
- •ADP converts more revenue to profit (20.12% vs 10.99% net margin).
- •WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.25% vs 8.08% CAGR).
- •ADP pays the higher dividend yield (3.04% vs 1.68%).
Which is better, ADP or WM?
Metric tally: ADP 10 · WM 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueADP(lower P/E)
GrowthWM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeADP(higher dividend yield)
QualityADP(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ADP | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.83● | 32.64 |
| Forward P/E | 20.19● | 24.48 |
| P/S ratio | 4.16 | 3.59● |
| P/B ratio | 14.16 | 9.10● |
| PEG ratio | 3.20 | 2.39● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.63 | 14.85● |
| FCF yield | 5.73%● | 3.61% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADP | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.48%● | 32.06% |
| Operating margin | 19.20%● | 18.46% |
| Net margin | 20.12%● | 10.99% |
| ROE | 68.43%● | 27.88% |
| ROIC | 24.66%● | 8.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADP | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.04%● | 1.68% |
| Payout ratio | 67.86% | 56.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADP | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.08% | 10.25%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.83% | 13.68%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.52%● | 7.28% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.79% | 11.87%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADP or WM?
- It depends on your goal. value: ADP (lower P/E); growth: WM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ADP (higher dividend yield); quality: ADP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADP leads 10 to 7.
- Is ADP or WM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADP is cheaper: ADP trades at a 20.83 P/E and WM at 32.64.
- Which has grown faster, ADP or WM?
- Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — ADP at a 8.08% CAGR versus WM at 10.25%.
- Does ADP or WM pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP yields 3.04% and WM yields 1.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ADP or WM more profitable?
- ADP runs the higher net margin — ADP at 20.12% versus WM at 10.99%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADP or WM?
- Over the past 10-year, WM delivered the higher annualized total return — ADP at 12.37% versus WM at 15.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Automatic Data Processing P/E ratioWaste Management P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldWaste Management dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing ROEWaste Management ROEAutomatic Data Processing operating marginWaste Management operating marginAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthWaste Management revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing free cash flowWaste Management free cash flow
Automatic Data Processing & Waste Management 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 29, 2026.