Week ending Change (Four-week moving average, seasonally adjusted) ADP National Employment Report Preliminary Estimate for March 7, 2026 Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation ROSELAND, N.J., March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For the four weeks ending March 7, 2026, U.S. private employers added an average of 10,000 jobs per week, according to the NER Pulse, a weekly update of the monthly ADP National Employment Report(NER). Employment gains for the first week in March were little changed from the previous week ...

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income. Guggenheim Initiates ADP as Buy, Says Fears around AI Are Premature On March 19, Guggenheim initiated coverage of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) with a Buy rating. The firm also set a $270 price target on the stock.  The analyst noted that ADP has lagged the S&P 500 so far this year. That has largely been tied to concerns that AI could replace workers and weigh on seat-based softw ...

Does your portfolio need to produce more income? If so, here's some good news: There are plenty of fantastic dividend stocks trading at a nice discount right now. In fact, one "forever" dividend-paying member of the S&P 500 is currently down 36% just since the middle of last year. That stock is Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ: ADP). Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical te ...

Core Viewpoint - Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has experienced a significant decline in share price, approximately 28.3% since mid-2025, attributed to slowing employment growth and concerns regarding AI disruptions despite recent earnings surpassing estimates and a positive growth trajectory [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - ADP's share price has fallen substantially due to external factors impacting employment growth and market sentiment regarding AI [1]. - The company has recently beaten earnings estimates, indicating a potential for growth despite the share price decline [1]. Group 2: Market Context - The decline in ADP's share price reflects broader market fears about the impact of AI on employment and business operations [1].

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential market challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of investing in safe Dividend Aristocrats amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties [1][2] - It highlights the characteristics of Dividend Aristocrats, which are companies that have consistently increased dividends for at least 25 years, making them attractive for long-term investors seeking stability [1][2] Summary by Company Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Laboratories announced a 6.8% dividend increase in December, marking its 54th consecutive year of dividend growth, with a total increase of over 70% since 2020, currently yielding 2.10% [1] - The company operates in various segments, including Medical Devices, Nutritional Products, Diagnostic Products, and Established Pharmaceutical Products [1] Automatic Data Processing (ADP) - ADP is a leader in payroll and HR services, providing cloud-based solutions to over 80% of Fortune 100 companies, with a current dividend yield of 2.94% [1] - The company serves a diverse client base, offering a range of human capital management solutions, including payroll services and compliance services [1] Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola pays a reliable 2.50% dividend and has seen organic revenue growth of 5% in 2025, with expectations of 4% to 5% growth in 2026 [2] - The company offers over 500 brands and is the world's largest beverage company, with a significant market presence in sparkling beverages and ready-to-drink products [2] Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson, trading at 14.5 times forward earnings, offers a 2.07% dividend and is recognized for its diversified healthcare product portfolio [2] - The company operates in two main segments: MedTech and Innovative Medicine, focusing on various therapeutic areas [2] NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy raised its quarterly dividend by 10% and has committed to 10% annual dividend growth through this year, with a current yield of 2.44% [2] - The company operates through subsidiaries focused on electric power and energy infrastructure, including Florida Power & Light and NextEra Energy Resources [2]

Core Insights - The ADP National Employment Report indicates that U.S. private employers added an average of 15,500 jobs per week for the four weeks ending February 21, 2026, showing steady employment gains after five consecutive weeks of improvement [1][1][1] Employment Data Summary - For the week ending February 21, 2026, the four-week moving average of job additions was 15,500, consistent with the previous week [1] - The job additions over the preceding weeks were as follows: - February 14, 2026: 15,500 - February 7, 2026: 12,000 - January 31, 2026: 11,500 - January 24, 2026: 7,250 - January 17, 2026: 5,500 - January 10, 2026: 4,250 - January 3, 2026: 8,000 - December 27, 2025: 4,250 - December 20, 2025: 8,000 [1][1][1] Data Methodology - The NER Pulse is based on a four-week moving average and is seasonally adjusted, with a two-week lag to enhance the accuracy of real-time employment trends [1] - The report is published every Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. ET, except during the release of the monthly National Employment Report [1]

Core Insights - Financial giants have shown a bullish sentiment towards Automatic Data Processing, with 40% of traders being bullish and 40% bearish, indicating a mixed market perception [1] - The average target price set by industry analysts for Automatic Data Processing is $270.0, with a current market price of $222.98, reflecting a potential upside [4] Options Trading Analysis - Recent options trading activity revealed 10 unusual trades, with 5 puts valued at $207,916 and 5 calls valued at $220,348, suggesting significant interest in the stock [1] - Whales have targeted a price range of $170.0 to $240.0 for Automatic Data Processing over the last 3 months, indicating a strategic focus on this price band [2] - The volume of options trading for Automatic Data Processing is currently at 3,103,347, with a recent price decline of -1.44% [5] Market Sentiment and Indicators - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) readings suggest that Automatic Data Processing is currently neutral, positioned between overbought and oversold [5] - An analyst from Stifel maintains a Hold rating for Automatic Data Processing, reinforcing the cautious outlook on the stock [4]

Company Overview - Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) is based in Roseland, New Jersey, and provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions globally, with a market capitalization of $91.1 billion [1] - The company operates through its Employer Services and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) segments, offering strategic cloud-based platforms and HR outsourcing solutions [1] Market Position - ADP is classified as a large-cap stock, with a market cap exceeding $10 billion, indicating its significant size and influence in the software application industry [2] Stock Performance - ADP stock reached a 52-week high of $329.93 on June 6, 2025, but has since declined by 31.4% from that peak [3] - Over the past three months, the stock has decreased by 13.5%, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite, which fell by 5.1% during the same period [3] - In the last 52 weeks, ADP's stock has declined by 25.2%, lagging behind the Nasdaq Composite's return of 23.9% [6] Recent Earnings Report - On January 29, ADP shares fell by 1.9% following a mixed Q2 2026 earnings report, where revenue increased by 6% year-over-year to $5.4 billion but did not meet analysts' expectations [7] - The adjusted EPS for the quarter was $2.62, which exceeded Wall Street's estimates [7] Competitive Analysis - Compared to its closest peer, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS), which saw a 22.1% increase in shares over the past 52 weeks, ADP has underperformed [8] - The consensus among 18 analysts covering ADP stock is a "Hold," with a mean price target of $278.87, suggesting a potential upside of 23.3% from current levels [8]

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Group 1 - The Dividend King title signifies a mature, slower-growth company that has increased its dividend for at least 50 consecutive years [1] - Income investing often views the achievement of the Dividend King status as a finish line, indicating stability and reliability in dividend payments [1] Group 2 - The author has been involved in dividend investing since 2009 and has documented their journey towards financial independence through dividend growth investing [2] - The article reflects the author's personal insights and opinions on dividend growth stocks, contributing to the broader investment community [2] - The author holds a long position in shares of ADP and KO, indicating a vested interest in these companies [2]