Automatic Data Processing Could Be an Excellent Long-Term Buy

 

The company's most recent quarter was negatively impacted by Covid-19, but the stock offers a solid, safe yield

  


Automatic Data Processing Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP), the largest provider of business outsourcing solutions in the U.S., held up well during its most recent quarter. Given the number of jobs that have been lost over the last quarter to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is a surprising result. At the same time, Automatic Data Processing offers a yield higher than its historical average that is well protected by free cash flow.

 

Let's look closer at Automatic Data Processing to see why long-term investors should consider buying shares of the company now.

 

Company background, quarterly highlights and analysis

 

Automatic Data Processing is composed of two segments: Employer Services, which provides payroll and tax services, and Professional Employer Organization Services, which supplies all-inclusive human resources services to smaller companies. Employer Services account for 70% of revenues, while the PEO services contributed the rest. Automatic Data Processing works with more than 700,000 corporate customers around the country. The company is valued at just under $60 billion as of Tuesday's close.

 

Automatic Data Processing reported earnings results for the fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2020 on July 29 (the company's fiscal year ends June 30).

 

Revenues were down 3% to $3.4 billion, though this was $55 million ahead of what Wall Street analysts had expected. Adjusted earnings per share of $1.14 were flat from the prior year, but 18 cents better than consensus estimates.

 

 

 

 

For fiscal 2020, revenue improved 3% to $14.6 billion. Organic growth was 4% when adjusted for currency exchange rates. Adjusted earnings per share grew 47 cents, or 8.6%, to $5.92.

 

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