Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) Position Boosted by J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG

J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG grew its position in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP - Free Report) by 1.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 243,028 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 3,218 shares during the quarter. Automatic Data Processing accounts for approximately 1.2% of J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG's holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG owned 0.06% of Automatic Data Processing worth $71,142,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC boosted its stake in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 121.8% during the 4th quarter. Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC now owns 122 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Sugar Maple Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Automatic Data Processing during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Automatic Data Processing during the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Automatic Data Processing during the fourth quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Kieckhefer Group LLC acquired a new position in Automatic Data Processing in the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. 80.03% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Automatic Data Processing Stock Up 0.3 %

NASDAQ:ADP traded up $1.01 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $294.55. The stock had a trading volume of 1,685,892 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,682,839. The company has a market cap of $120.02 billion, a PE ratio of 30.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 0.74. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $300.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $298.23. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a 1-year low of $231.27 and a 1-year high of $322.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The business services provider reported $2.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.05. Automatic Data Processing had a return on equity of 80.86% and a net margin of 19.76%. Analysts predict that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 9.93 EPS for the current year.

Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.54 per share. This represents a $6.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. Automatic Data Processing's dividend payout ratio is currently 64.23%.

Insider Transactions at Automatic Data Processing

In other news, VP Christopher D'ambrosio sold 478 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $293.14, for a total value of $140,120.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 7,364 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,158,682.96. The trade was a 6.10 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Brian L. Michaud sold 1,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.38, for a total transaction of $458,070.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 12,073 shares in the company, valued at $3,686,852.74. This represents a 11.05 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,775 shares of company stock valued at $1,447,893. Insiders own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ADP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Automatic Data Processing from $290.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Automatic Data Processing from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and issued a $315.00 target price on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research report on Thursday. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $325.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Automatic Data Processing from $318.00 to $324.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Automatic Data Processing currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $302.30.

Automatic Data Processing Profile

Automatic Data Processing, Inc provides cloud-based human capital management solutions worldwide. It operates in two segments, Employer Services and Professional Employer Organization (PEO). The Employer Services segment offers strategic, cloud-based platforms, and human resources (HR) outsourcing solutions.