With nearly $9 billion in revenue, Nasdaq-traded Automatic Data Processing (ADP) hiked its quarterly by only a penny, to 34 cents a share, but the move marked 35 consecutive years of dividend enhancements. Yield: 3.13%. The payroll processor and human-resources outsourcing giant, which posted better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter earnings, forecast fiscal 2010 (ending June 30) profit of $2.34 to $2.39 a share, versus $2.63 in fiscal 2009, on flat sales. The stock set a 52-week high Thursday of 43.78.

Stable, proven recession proof

Hoping it is the 10 bagger they speak of.

14%

With annual revenue of nearly $9 billion and close to 600,000 clients, Automatic Data Processing is the king of the $70 billion global payroll-processing market. The Roseland, N.J.-based company hiked its quarterly common dividend 14%, to 33 cents a share from 29 cents. Disbursement is slated for Jan. 1 to investors on the books Dec. 12, and the ex-dividend date is Dec. 10. ADP has increased payouts every year since initiating them in 1974. It repurchased 33 million of its shares in its fiscal 2008 year, ended June 30.

ADP is tending well to both its main business and higher-margin operations like 401(k) administration. Result: Its depressed shares could jump more than 40%.

On Wednesday there's Air Products and Chemicals (APD), we know it is good. Will it matter? I thought it would matter when Parker Hannifin blew away the quarter, but instead the stock lost 10%. Use APD as a barometer of bearishness. If the stock rallies, this might be a glass half-full moment because, again, we are oversold.

consistent dividend and growth

employee

BUSINESS ORIENTED, WITH GOOD TRACK RECORD

economy to rough right now

PERFORMANCE

eric