For the quarter ended September 2025, Automatic Data Processing (ADP Quick QuoteADP - Free Report) reported revenue of $5.18 billion, up 7.1% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.49, compared to $2.33 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.13 billion, representing a surprise of +0.95%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +2.05%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.44.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how ADP performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Average paid PEO worksite employees during the period: 754 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 757.
• Segment revenues- Employer Services: $3.49 billion versus $3.45 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +7.1% change.
• Revenues- Interest on funds held for clients: $286.8 million compared to the $281.99 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +13.2% year over year.
• Revenues- Revenues, other than interest on funds held for clients and PEO revenues: $3.2 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $3.17 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +6.5%.
• Revenues- PEO revenues: $1.68 billion versus $1.67 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +7.2% change.
• Segment revenues- PEO Services: $1.69 billion compared to the $1.68 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +7.2% year over year.
• Segment revenues- Other: $-3.5 million versus $-3.05 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +25% change.

View all Key Company Metrics for ADP here>>>

Shares of ADP have returned -4.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.8% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.