VOLT vs ADP

For growth investors, Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

(VOLT) is the stronger pick with 7. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 1% for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) offers the better valuation at 20. 8x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) a "Hold" — based on 36 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

(ADP) is the cheapest at 20. 8x versus Volt Information Sciences, Inc. at 680. 9x.

Over the past 5 years, Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

(VOLT) delivered a total return of +956. 8%, compared to +19. 5% for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VOLT returned +1198% versus ADP's +185. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

(ADP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 37β versus Volt Information Sciences, Inc. 's 0. 98β — meaning VOLT is approximately 161% more volatile than ADP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 146% versus 3% for Volt Information Sciences, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

(VOLT) is pulling ahead at 7. 7% versus 7. 1% for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Volt Information Sciences, Inc. grew EPS 103. 9% year-over-year, compared to 9. 7% for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ADP leads at 7. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

(ADP) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 8% net margin versus 0. 2% for Volt Information Sciences, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ADP leads at 26. 3% versus 0. 5% for VOLT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADP leads at 50. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

In this comparison, ADP (2.

8% yield) pays a dividend. VOLT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

(ADP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 37), 2. 8% yield, +185. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ADP: +185. 6%, VOLT: +1198%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

ADP pays a dividend while VOLT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.