Key Highlights

● Automatic Data Processing closed at $288.90 on October 16, trading above the analyst target.

● The consensus 12-month price target is $286.40, implying about 0.9% downside.

● Analysts are split 4 Buy, 12 Hold, and 2 Sell on the stock.

● Targets range from $225 to $322 across 18 analysts.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) closed at $288.90 on October 16, 2026, according to market data. The stock is a constituent of the Nasdaq-100 and trades on the Nasdaq. The consensus analyst price target is $286.40, which is 0.9% below the latest close, implying 0.9% downside. The shares are drawing attention this week because of fresh analyst activity and upcoming earnings: the next results are expected on October 28, 2026 (first quarter of fiscal 2027).

What Is the Latest Analyst Price Target?

The mean consensus target is $286.40 across 18 analysts, with a median of $287.00. Individual forecasts range from a low of $225.00 to a high of $322.00. Measured against the 16 October close of $288.90, the consensus target suggests 0.9% downside. The analyst data on the source page was last updated on October 5, 2026, so more recent target changes may not be captured. These figures are forecasts, not guarantees, and different data providers can show slightly different consensus numbers because of timing and methodology.

What Are Analysts Saying?

The overall consensus rating is Hold, with the ratings split as 4 Buy (Strong Buy), 12 Hold, 2 Sell (1 Sell, 1 Strong Sell). Recent broker actions include the following. TD Cowen (5 Oct) maintained a Hold rating with a $283 target; Bernstein (25 Sep) maintained Hold; Wells Fargo (24 Sep) maintained Hold at $303; DBS (21 Sep) maintained Hold and cut its target to $255 from $290; and UBS (14 Sep) maintained Hold at $290.

The consensus mean target is slightly below the current share price, which implies negative upside and a cautious analyst stance.

What Could Help the Stock Reach the Price Target?

If the consensus proves accurate, the shares would need to close the gap to $286.40. Several factors could support that outcome. Company developments are one: The company has set October 28, 2026 for its first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, nominated David W. Kenny and Nancy McKinstry to its board on 24 September, and its September National Employment Report showed private-sector hiring of 90,000 jobs. A regular quarterly dividend of $1.70 was declared in August.

Beyond this, results that meet or exceed expectations, firm guidance and stable sector conditions would typically support analyst estimates and could encourage further target upgrades. Equally, a broadly supportive market backdrop can narrow the gap between price and targets. None of these outcomes is assured.

What Could Prevent the Stock Reaching the Target?

Analyst targets are opinions about a twelve-month horizon and are frequently revised. Earnings that fall short of expectations, weaker guidance, changes in interest rates, regulatory or policy shifts and wider market volatility could all cause the shares to underperform the consensus. The spread between the lowest target ($225.00) and highest target ($322.00) shows that professional forecasters do not agree on fair value. Investors should also note that consensus figures can lag recent events, so the numbers cited here may already have been overtaken by newer broker notes.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

The key event is the next earnings report, expected on October 28, 2026 (first quarter of fiscal 2027). Investors may wish to watch management commentary and guidance, any changes to broker ratings and targets following the results, and the direction of the consensus mean and median in the weeks ahead. Any further company announcements, such as acquisitions, dividends or leadership changes, may also influence sentiment.

Priced Above Consensus

On the verified figures, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) closed at $288.90 on October 16, 2026, while the analyst consensus target of $286.40 suggests 0.9% downside, with a Hold consensus rating across 18 analysts.