Automatic Data Processing Inc vs iShares Gold Trust — how do they compare? Automatic Data Processing Inc trades at $271.34 (market cap $107.69B), while iShares Gold Trust trades at $82.88. The key difference: Automatic Data Processing Inc pays a 2.51% dividend while iShares Gold Trust pays none, and Automatic Data Processing Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares Gold Trust nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ADP | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $107.69B | — |
Sector | Industrials | Commodities - Metals/Agriculture |
52-Week High | $309.03 | $101.57 |
52-Week Low | $188.79 | $62.49 |
Enterprise Value | $108.73B | — |
Dividend Yield | 2.51% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ADP trades at $269.14, down 1.66% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q4 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $2.62 versus $2.57 expected, and revenue growth continues steadily. Analyst consensus is a $280.50 price target, though the majority rating is Hold. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and employment data reports.
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings beats and margin expansion, but high valuation multiples like a P/E of 24.78 pose a risk if growth slows. Key risks include economic sensitivity affecting payroll services demand and competitive pressures in HR solutions.
IAU, the iShares Gold Trust ETF, trades at $82.98 with a 0.57% daily gain amid bullish technical signals from moving averages. The ETF benefits from gold's recent momentum as spot gold reached two-month highs above $4,430/oz following cooling CPI data. While oscillators show bearish signals with RSI at overbought levels, institutional interest remains strong with Deane Retirement Strategies increasing its stake by 36.5% in the latest quarter.
Outlook remains positive as gold gains support from inflation dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and central bank buying. Key risks include potential Fed policy shifts and dollar strength. The 0.25% expense ratio makes IAU attractive for conservative investors seeking gold exposure with lower volatility compared to mining stocks.
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 →IAU is a physically backed ETF that seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold. It provides a convenient and liquid way for investors to include gold in their portfolios as a potential hedge.
Read more on IAU →