Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Has a Hidden Earnings Advantage From Higher Interest Rates Attiya Zainib Thu, October 8, 2026 at 9:59 AM EDT 3 min read CL=F +4.28% ADP +0.99% ^GSPC -0.23% Trade ADP on Coinbase Trading disclosure Trading disclosure The above button links to Coinbase. Yahoo Finance is not a broker-dealer or investment adviser and does not offer securities or cryptocurrencies for sale or facilitate trading. Coinbase pays us for certain activity generated through this link. Prices displayed are informational.
Andrew Hill Investment Advisors recently released its third-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund navigated a mixed third-quarter investment environment in which rising oil prices, higher interest rates, and persistent inflation created headwinds for equities and bonds, although strong corporate earnings and continued AI investment helped support the broader stock market. The letter does not disclose an aggregate third-quarter return for client portfolios, but the S&P 500 gained 3.54% through September 22, while the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index declined 2.8%; meanwhile, oil prices rose sharply, and the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate to 3.75%-4.00%, its first rate hike in more than three years. Performance across client accounts benefited from exposure to software, AI hardware, and selected strategic investments, while losses in other areas and the sharp rise in bond yields offset some gains; the average equal-weight basket of AI stocks returned 13.0% during the quarter versus an 8.3% decline for the traditional-economy basket. Looking ahead, Andrew Hill expects the AI investment cycle to continue but remains cautious about the broader equity market because of rising rates, inflation, geopolitical risks, tight consumer spending, election uncertainty, and the possibility that the pace of AI capital spending could slow as additional computing capacity comes online; the firm therefore favors earnings-focused investing, higher cash balances, and gradually increasing fixed-income exposure, particularly as high-grade corporate bonds offer yields above 6%. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its third-quarter 2026 investor letter, Andrew Hill Investment Fund highlighted stocks like Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP). Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides payroll and human resources software, combining recurring revenue with interest income generated from client funds held before distribution. The one-month return of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) was -0.58% while its shares traded between $188.16 and $291.34 over the last 52 weeks. On October 7, 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) stock closed at approximately $264.00 per share, with a market capitalization of about $105.47 billion.
Andrew Hill Investment Fund stated the following regarding Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) in its Q3 2026 investor letter:
"ADP is one of the leading providers of payroll and human resources software. Despite its predictable earnings and recurring revenue base, the stock was largely caught up in the broader software selloff over the past year. As investor sentiment toward software companies improved this quarter, the shares participated in the recovery. Additionally, ADP earns interest income on the billions of dollars of client payroll funds it temporarily holds before distribution, creating a meaningful earnings benefit from today's elevated interest rates. We believe the market continues to underappreciate this unique combination of deeply integrated software and interest income potential (Click Here To Read the Letter In Detail)."
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. As per our database, 61 hedge fund portfolios held Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) at the end of the second quarter, which was 67 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
In another article, we covered Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) and shared our views on the company. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q3 2026 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
