Price movement over the last 24 hours
Automatic Data Processing Inc vs American Water Works Company Inc — how do they compare? Automatic Data Processing Inc trades at $241.77 (market cap $98.17B), while American Water Works Company Inc trades at $133.97 (market cap $26.33B). The key difference: Automatic Data Processing Inc is far larger — about 3.7× American Water Works Company Inc's market cap, and Automatic Data Processing Inc pays the higher dividend (2.77%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ADP | AWK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $98.17B | $26.33B |
Sector | Industrials | Utilities |
52-Week High | $310.94 | $147.00 |
52-Week Low | $188.79 | $121.13 |
Enterprise Value | $99.24B | $41.89B |
Dividend Yield | 2.77% | 2.66% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ADP trades at $245.60, up 1.37% on the day, near its 52-week high. The stock shows bullish technical signals with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Revenue grew to $20.56 billion in 2025, with a net income margin of 20.12%. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with a consensus hold rating but a technical outlook suggesting strength. The company maintains strong profitability metrics and recently announced a dividend payment.
Outlook remains stable with projected revenue growth to $21.6 billion in 2026. Risks include competitive pressures and economic sensitivity. Opportunities lie in AI integration and margin expansion. The stock offers value through dividends and steady performance, though valuation multiples are elevated relative to historical averages.
AWK trades at $134.82, down 1.49% today, near the consensus price target of $134.50. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, while recent earnings have been mixed with two misses in the last three quarters. Revenue grew to $5.14B in 2025, with a net income margin of 21.17%, and the company continues strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investments, as seen in recent news (PRNewsWire, June 30, 2026).
Outlook remains stable with analyst consensus leaning buy (46.66% buy ratings), but risks include high debt levels and regulatory pressures. The stock offers steady growth potential through capital investments, though margin pressures and interest expenses could limit upside. Investors should weigh the defensive utility sector appeal against valuation multiples like a P/E of 23.6.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
ADP is a provider of payroll and human capital management solutions servicing the full scope of businesses from micro to global enterprises. ADP was established in 1949 and serves over 990,000 clients primarily in the United States. ADP's employer services segment offers payroll, HCM solutions, HR outsourcing, insurance and retirement services. The smaller but faster-growing PEO segment provides HR outsourcing solutions to small and midsize businesses through a co-employment model.
Read more on ADP →American Water Works is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility, serving approximately 3.5 million customers in 16 states. It provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and operates predominantly in regulated markets. The company's only nonregulated business is water services for military bases, which operates under long-term contracts.
Read more on AWK →