Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. RELX (RELX)
This page compares Automatic Data Processing (ADP) with RELX (RELX) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and RELX (RELX) both belong to the Professional Services industry, though ADP is classified under Human Resource & Employment Services while RELX falls under Research & Consulting Services.
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) trades as a standard ordinary-equity line, while RELX (RELX) is an ADR tied to a foreign-share or depositary-receipt structure — compare with FX exposure, program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Automatic Data Processing Inc. | Relx PLC Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Commercial & Professional Services | Commercial & Professional Services |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Professional Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Human Resource & Employment Services | Research & Consulting Services |
| Market Capitalization | 92.46 billion USD | 60.72 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | October 6, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 21.60 and RELX (RELX) at 22.82 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
21.60
- Max
- 63.64
- Q3
- 38.43
- Median
- 21.80
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 4.96
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
22.82
- Max
- 63.64
- Q3
- 38.43
- Median
- 21.80
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 4.96
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 4.28 and RELX (RELX) at 6.33 command a richer price per dollar of sales than most peers, sitting in the upper Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) quartile of their industries.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
4.28
- Max
- 6.53
- Q3
- 3.28
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.08
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
6.33
- Max
- 6.53
- Q3
- 3.28
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.08
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Measured against book value, both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 14.59 and RELX (RELX) at 78.60 look expensive — each Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) sits above its industry’s benchmark range.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
14.59
- Max
- 8.88
- Q3
- 6.21
- Median
- 3.07
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -4.48
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
78.60
- Max
- 8.88
- Q3
- 6.21
- Median
- 3.07
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -4.48
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.60 | 22.82 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.28 | 6.33 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.59 | 78.60 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 5.14% | 3.55% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 71.21% and RELX (RELX) at 70.51% post Return on Equity (TTM) above their industry benchmark ranges, pointing to unusually strong headline returns on shareholders’ equity.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
71.21%
- Max
- 53.04%
- Q3
- 25.65%
- Median
- 13.96%
- Q1
- 2.65%
- Min
- -26.88%
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
70.51%
- Max
- 53.04%
- Q3
- 25.65%
- Median
- 13.96%
- Q1
- 2.65%
- Min
- -26.88%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
For every dollar of sales, both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 20.12% and RELX (RELX) at 21.53% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top Net Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
20.12%
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 11.56%
- Median
- 6.26%
- Q1
- 1.18%
- Min
- -13.34%
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
21.53%
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 11.56%
- Median
- 6.26%
- Q1
- 1.18%
- Min
- -13.34%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 30.18% and RELX (RELX) at 31.41% squeeze more operating profit from each sales dollar than most peers, ranking in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
30.18%
- Max
- 37.53%
- Q3
- 17.67%
- Median
- 9.12%
- Q1
- 3.01%
- Min
- -4.52%
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
31.41%
- Max
- 37.53%
- Q3
- 17.67%
- Median
- 9.12%
- Q1
- 3.01%
- Min
- -4.52%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 71.21% | 70.51% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.95% | 12.49% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.12% | 21.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.18% | 31.41% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.50% | 66.29% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 7.07% | 1.65% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 7.61% | 3.89% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 9.67% | 8.63% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 12.55% | 9.76% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 1.04 and RELX (RELX) at 0.49 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
1.04
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.45
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
0.49
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 0.69 is around its industry mid-range for Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ), while RELX (RELX) at 3.04 sits above its industry benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
0.69
- Max
- 2.61
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.01
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
3.04
- Max
- 2.61
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.01
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 0.49 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.69 | 3.04 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.18 | 2.23 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 2.94% and RELX (RELX) at 2.67% report Dividend Yield (TTM) in the top quartile of industry peers, indicating higher cash yield relative to share price than typical competitors.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
2.94%
- Max
- 5.31%
- Q3
- 2.26%
- Median
- 0.95%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
2.67%
- Max
- 5.31%
- Q3
- 2.26%
- Median
- 0.95%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 60.45% and RELX (RELX) at 57.42% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
ADP
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
60.45%
- Max
- 79.70%
- Q3
- 36.01%
- Median
- 15.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RELX
Commercial & Professional Services industry group
57.42%
- Max
- 79.70%
- Q3
- 36.01%
- Median
- 15.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.94% | 2.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 60.45% | 57.42% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | ADP | RELX |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | -27.31% | -35.02% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 24.32% | 30.39% |
| Beta | 0.83 | 0.73 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.34M | 3.01M |