Automatic Data Processing, based in Roseland, New Jersey, is a leading cloud-based business services company. The firm is focused on human capital management and has two primary segments: Employer Services, which provides payroll services to companies, and Professional Employer Organization Services, which provides employment administration outsourcing services, including HR, benefits management, and retirement and compliance programs. The shares are a component of the S&P 500. The company has approximately 64,000 employees.

Although institutional investors are responsible for most of the volume in the stock market, the role of the individual investor continues to grow in importance. A long time ago, a mainly union workforce in the U.S. could rely on defined-benefit pensions in retirement; and there was no need to keep an eye on the stock market. Today, most workers put pretax wages into defined contribution plans, with maybe an employer match. With mobility in the workforce, 401(k) plans often become IRAs, and the holder becomes responsible for investment choices. Other factors, such as the meme stock craze and no-commission trades from Robinhood and others, also have driven the increase in individual-investor interest in the market. These so-called small or mom-and-pop investors can be fickle. In aggregate, they usually are at least somewhat bullish, but a brief downtrend can turn bulls into scattering birds. According to weekly data compiled by the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), over the course of 2024, individual investors have been bullish 45% of the time; bearish 26% of the time; and neutral 29% of the time. The bull-bear spread for 2024 to date has averaged 18.5% bullish. But that spread also shows times when small-investor confidence has wavered. These are mainly periods when stocks reversed off their gains and no one knew when the selling would stop. Heading into April, the bull-bear spread was maybe too complacent in the low-20% area. As the April selloff intensified, the spread averaged below 3% for the last three weeks of the month. The spread also narrowed early in August and early in September. Currently, the bull-bear spread is in single digits, reflecting uncertainty on Fed policy and ahead of the election.

Marsh McLennan is a professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. The company operates through two main segments: risk and insurance services and consulting. In risk and insurance services, the firm offers services via Marsh (an insurance broker) and Guy Carpenter (a risk and reinsurance specialist). The consulting division comprises Mercer (a provider of human resource services) and Oliver Wyman (a management and economic consultancy). About half of its revenue is generated outside the US.

MARSH & MCLENNAN COS has an Investment Rating of HOLD; a target price of $237.000000; an Industry Subrating of Low; a Management Subrating of High; a Safety Subrating of High; a Financial Strength Subrating of Medium; a Growth Subrating of Medium; and a Value Subrating of Low.