ADP vs. RTO: Automatic Data Processing vs. Rentokil Initial Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO) both fall under the Commercial & Professional Services industry group, but ADP is classified in Professional Services while RTO is classified in Commercial Services & Supplies.

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) trades as ordinary local shares, while Rentokil Initial (RTO) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Profile Item	ADP	RTO
Name	Automatic Data Processing Inc.	Rentokil Initial plc American Depositary Shares (each representing five Ordinary Shares)
Country/Region	United States	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry Group	Commercial & Professional Services	Commercial & Professional Services
GICS Industry	Professional Services	Commercial Services & Supplies
GICS Sub-Industry	Human Resource & Employment Services	Environmental & Facilities Services
Market Capitalization	119.75 billion USD	11.87 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	NYSE
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	November 18, 1996
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ADP

RTO

GSPC

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
Total Return (1Y)	22.40%	-10.02%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	12.77%	-1.88%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	8.08%	-8.85%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ADP

RTO

GSPC

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	28.04%	33.85%
Beta (5Y)	0.76	0.98
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-40.78%	-50.93%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.16M	1.74M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

ADP and RTO are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.65	-0.42
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.02	-0.57

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 78.94% clears its industry range for ROE, a sharper capital-efficiency signal than Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 5.97%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

78.94%

ADP: 78.94%
Max: 47.06%
Q3: 25.43%
Median: 14.11%
Q1: 3.92%
Min: -20.15%

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

5.97%

Max: 47.06%
Q3: 25.43%
Median: 14.11%
RTO: 5.97%
Q1: 3.92%
Min: -20.15%

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their ROE against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 20.33% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 6.70%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

20.33%

Max: 23.28%
ADP: 20.33%
Q3: 11.35%
Median: 5.65%
Q1: 0.87%
Min: -8.60%

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

6.70%

Max: 23.28%
Q3: 11.35%
RTO: 6.70%
Median: 5.65%
Q1: 0.87%
Min: -8.60%

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their net margin against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 26.73% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 12.79%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

26.73%

Max: 38.50%
ADP: 26.73%
Q3: 18.84%
Median: 10.40%
Q1: 5.59%
Min: -12.00%

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

12.79%

Max: 38.50%
Q3: 18.84%
RTO: 12.79%
Median: 10.40%
Q1: 5.59%
Min: -12.00%

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
ROE (TTM)	78.94%	5.97%
ROA (TTM)	6.32%	4.00%
Net Margin (TTM)	20.33%	6.70%
Operating Margin (TTM)	26.73%	12.79%
Gross Margin (TTM)	48.83%	14.01%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 6.74% and Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 4.40% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 21.70% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 9.62% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for RTO.

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
Revenue Growth (YoY)	6.74%	4.40%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	6.81%	15.40%
EPS Growth (YoY)	9.62%	21.70%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	10.04%	10.00%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 1.03 and Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 1.06 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.03

Max: 3.63
Q3: 2.14
Median: 1.55
Q1: 1.09
ADP: 1.03
Min: 0.45

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.06

Max: 3.63
Q3: 2.14
Median: 1.55
Q1: 1.09
RTO: 1.06
Min: 0.45

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 1.10 and Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 1.11 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.10

Max: 2.37
Q3: 1.25
ADP: 1.10
Median: 0.88
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.00

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.11

Max: 2.37
Q3: 1.25
RTO: 1.11
Median: 0.88
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.00

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.03	1.06
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.10	1.11
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.35	2.93

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 2.21% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 0.53% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, ADP the richer one.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

2.21%

Max: 4.33%
ADP: 2.21%
Q3: 1.80%
Median: 0.60%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.53%

Max: 4.33%
Q3: 1.80%
Median: 0.60%
RTO: 0.53%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 60.28% and Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 97.56% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

60.28%

Max: 99.58%
ADP: 60.28%
Q3: 41.99%
Median: 17.27%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -17.94%

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

97.56%

Max: 99.58%
RTO: 97.56%
Q3: 41.99%
Median: 17.27%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -17.94%

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.21%	0.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	60.28%	97.56%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 26.89 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 37.48 sits in the richer quartile — RTO needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

26.89

Max: 49.47
Q3: 33.76
ADP: 26.89
Median: 24.16
Q1: 16.01
Min: 1.89

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

37.48

Max: 49.47
RTO: 37.48
Q3: 33.76
Median: 24.16
Q1: 16.01
Min: 1.89

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 1.66 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 5.38 sits in the pricier quartile — ADP costs more per dollar of sales.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

5.38

Max: 7.17
ADP: 5.38
Q3: 3.35
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.69
Min: 0.11

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.66

Max: 7.17
Q3: 3.35
RTO: 1.66
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.69
Min: 0.11

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Rentokil Initial (RTO) at 2.16 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Automatic Data Processing (ADP) at 23.57 prices above its benchmark range — ADP looks rich relative to book.

ADP

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

23.57

ADP: 23.57
Max: 11.25
Q3: 6.08
Median: 2.92
Q1: 1.55
Min: -2.78

RTO

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

2.16

Max: 11.25
Q3: 6.08
Median: 2.92
RTO: 2.16
Q1: 1.55
Min: -2.78

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs. Rentokil Initial (RTO): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Metric	ADP	RTO
P/E Ratio (TTM)	26.89	37.48
P/S Ratio (TTM)	5.38	1.66
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	23.57	2.16
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	5.40%	8.85%