Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Can I have your recommendation on Automatic Data Processing? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Automatic Data Processing, $55.46, symbol ADP on New York (Shares outstanding: 489.1 million; Market cap: $27.1 billion; www.adp.com), is one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing services. ADP has about 570,000 customers. It gets 70% of its revenue from its Employer Services unit, which provides payroll and tax services; the Professional Employer Organization unit (16% of total revenue) provides human resources services to smaller companies; and the Services unit (14%) provides auto and truck dealerships with accounting, inventory and leasing services. It also orders replacement parts. The company continues to report improving results. In the three months ended March 31, 2012, its revenue rose 6.8%, to $2.9 billion from $2.7 billion a year earlier. Earnings rose 6.7%, to $452.4 million from $423.8 million. Earnings per share rose at a faster pace of 9.4%, to $0.93 from $0.85, on fewer shares outstanding. The company is doing a good job of retaining existing clients and attracting new ones. ADP continues to buy back…