Compare StocksADBE vs ADP

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)

ADBE
Adobe Inc.
$245.99
VS
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$210.66

Rewards

ADBE
  • Adobe Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 89.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Adobe Inc. scores 100/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
ADP
  • Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Automatic Data Processing, Inc. scores 93/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 19.9% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.

Risks

ADBE
    ADP
    • 8 insider sales totaling $1.3M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    ADBE
    ADP
    Valuation
    $9.29B
    Free Cash Flow
    $3.46B
    9.20%
    FCF Yield
    4.06%
    14.33
    Trailing P/E
    20.24
    9.33
    Forward P/E
    17.61
    Quality & Moat
    40.36%
    ROIC
    40.52%
    62.36%
    ROE
    63.82%
    89.40%
    Gross Margin
    48.35%
    1.29
    PEG Ratio
    1.76
    Balance Sheet Safety
    0.58
    Debt / Equity
    0.70
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    -0.02
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    0.33
    N/A
    Dividend Yield
    3.23%
    ADBE: 8Ties: 3ADP: 0
    ADBEADP

    Historical Fundamentals

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    ADBE

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    ADP

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

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    ADBE
    $-0.60
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $18.12B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-10.93B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
    ADP
    $1.02
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Value Creator
    Σ Retained
    $4.76B
    Δ Market Cap
    +$4.87B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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    ADBE
    48.4% Margin of Safety
    Price is 48.4% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $245.99
    Fair Value: $477.11
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    ADP
    8.1% Margin of Safety
    Price is 8.1% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $210.66
    Fair Value: $229.28
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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    ADBE

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $246?

    +3.0%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -0.7%

    The market implies +3.0% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -0.7%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    ADP

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $211?

    +8.6%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies +10.9%

    The market implies +8.6% Owner Earnings growth, roughly in line with history — reasonably priced.

    Standard FCF implies +10.9%, reflecting ongoing growth investment.

    Economic Moat Score

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    ADBE
    100/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
    ADP
    93/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. Revenue Predictability is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

    Forensic Accounting

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    ADBE
    -2.85
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
    ADP
    -3.03
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Ownership Breakdown

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    ADBE
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 87.8%Retail & Other 11.9%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,534
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
    ADP
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 86.5%Retail & Other 13.3%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,068
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    Insider Buying Activity

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    ADBE
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $507,758
    @ $390.58 · 2025-03-20
    RICKS DAVID A
    Director
    $998,946
    @ $443.98 · 2025-01-28
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    ADP
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    No open market insider purchases found.
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

    Insider Selling Activity

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    ADBE
    1
    Sells (3M)
    3
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $711,495
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $485,323
    @ $294.85 · 2026-01-27
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $50,344
    @ $337.88 · 2025-10-31
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $175,828
    @ $380.58 · 2025-05-02
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $145,567
    @ $435.83 · 2025-01-28
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $2.05M
    @ $431.61 · 2025-01-27
    BANSE AMY L
    Director
    $333,300
    @ $550.00 · 2024-12-06
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $327,987
    @ $485.19 · 2024-10-29
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $232,525
    @ $483.42 · 2024-10-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.14M
    @ $511.48 · 2024-10-16
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $3.35M
    @ $515.44 · 2024-09-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $52,089
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $258,297
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $85,255
    @ $564.60 · 2024-07-16
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.25M
    @ $561.60 · 2024-07-16
    RAO DANA J.D.
    General Counsel
    $3.56M
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $138,735
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $265,644
    @ $447.97 · 2024-06-03
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $389,630
    @ $490.10 · 2024-05-06
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.29M
    @ $474.30 · 2024-05-02
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $45,436
    @ $468.41 · 2024-04-25
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    ADP
    8
    Sells (3M)
    26
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $46.14M
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $113,188
    @ $208.45 · 2026-03-16
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $115,349
    @ $212.43 · 2026-02-17
    MICHAUD BRIAN L.
    Officer
    $234,180
    @ $234.18 · 2026-02-06
    FOSKETT DAVID
    Officer
    $63,042
    @ $237.00 · 2026-02-05
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $142,423
    @ $262.29 · 2026-01-13
    KWON DAVID
    Officer
    $213,429
    @ $264.80 · 2026-01-12
    KWON DAVID
    Officer
    $234,000
    @ $260.00 · 2026-01-06
    BLACK MARIA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $183,880
    @ $257.17 · 2026-01-05
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $1.21M
    @ $295.26 · 2025-09-12
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $177,249
    @ $296.90 · 2025-09-10
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $12.95M
    @ $295.05 · 2025-09-10
    BONARTI MICHAEL A
    Officer
    $2.60M
    @ $298.43 · 2025-09-09
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $3.58M
    @ $297.12 · 2025-09-05
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $7.00M
    @ $299.31 · 2025-09-04
    MCGUIRE DONALD
    Officer
    $4.03M
    @ $296.57 · 2025-09-03
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $1.37M
    @ $296.57 · 2025-09-03
    FOSKETT DAVID
    Officer
    $407,191
    @ $296.57 · 2025-09-03
    BLACK MARIA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $7.04M
    @ $298.32 · 2025-09-03
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $599,359
    @ $301.64 · 2025-09-02
    FOSKETT DAVID
    Officer
    $314,079
    @ $301.13 · 2025-09-02
    BLACK MARIA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $2.32M
    @ $299.93 · 2025-09-02
    MICHAUD BRIAN L.
    Officer
    $63,485
    @ $308.18 · 2025-07-01
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $424,064
    @ $307.07 · 2025-06-13
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $147,179
    @ $311.82 · 2025-05-12
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $140,121
    @ $293.14 · 2025-04-10
    MICHAUD BRIAN L.
    Officer
    $458,070
    @ $305.38 · 2025-04-01
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $144,833
    @ $306.20 · 2025-03-10
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $145,181
    @ $308.24 · 2025-02-10
    LEHBERGER JONATHAN S
    Officer
    $704,869
    @ $303.30 · 2025-02-03
    BONARTI MICHAEL A
    Officer
    $9.14M
    @ $303.30 · 2025-02-03
    MAGLIULO VIRGINIA
    Officer
    $1.02M
    @ $285.50 · 2025-01-13
    FOSKETT DAVID
    Officer
    $305,322
    @ $286.15 · 2025-01-13
    KWON DAVID
    Officer
    $382,127
    @ $290.37 · 2025-01-06
    MAGLIULO VIRGINIA
    Officer
    $597,095
    @ $289.15 · 2025-01-06
    FOSKETT DAVID
    Officer
    $290,443
    @ $289.29 · 2025-01-06
    BLACK MARIA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $210,233
    @ $291.59 · 2025-01-03
    AYALA JOHN C.
    Officer
    $3.12M
    @ $290.73 · 2025-01-03
    MCGUIRE DONALD
    Officer
    $2.55M
    @ $293.83 · 2025-01-02
    MICHAUD BRIAN L.
    Officer
    $106,366
    @ $293.83 · 2025-01-02
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $1.91M
    @ $293.83 · 2025-01-02
    KWON DAVID
    Officer
    $571,793
    @ $293.83 · 2025-01-02
    LEHBERGER JONATHAN S
    Officer
    $728,405
    @ $293.83 · 2025-01-02
    KUTAM SREENIVASA
    Officer
    $11.69M
    @ $300.00 · 2024-11-06
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $387,240
    @ $280.00 · 2024-09-17
    KWON DAVID
    Officer
    $28,000
    @ $280.00 · 2024-09-17
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $12.17M
    @ $277.27 · 2024-09-13
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $16.27M
    @ $276.33 · 2024-09-11
    AYALA JOHN C.
    Officer
    $7.96M
    @ $269.70 · 2024-09-09
    BONARTI MICHAEL A
    Officer
    $1.04M
    @ $269.70 · 2024-09-09
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $2.48M
    @ $269.45 · 2024-09-06
    RODRIGUEZ CARLOS ANTONIO
    Director
    $4.87M
    @ $272.82 · 2024-09-05
    MCGUIRE DONALD
    Officer
    $768,660
    @ $276.00 · 2024-09-04
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $1.16M
    @ $276.00 · 2024-09-04
    D'AMBROSIO CHRISTOPHER
    Officer
    $132,204
    @ $276.00 · 2024-09-04
    BLACK MARIA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $2.04M
    @ $276.00 · 2024-09-04
    MCGUIRE DONALD
    Officer
    $872,254
    @ $274.38 · 2024-09-03
    DESILVA JOSEPH
    Officer
    $522,694
    @ $274.38 · 2024-09-03
    BLACK MARIA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $5.25M
    @ $274.38 · 2024-09-03
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

    🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

    Learn more →
    ADBE
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(27/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
    ADP
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(35/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    ⚖️ Buffett Signal

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    ADBE
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (27)
    ADP
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (35)
    View ADBE Full AnalysisView ADP Full Analysis
    Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) Stock Comparison | SafetyMargin.io