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The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. For instance, the price of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) stock is up an impressive 129% over the last five years. Also pleasing for shareholders was the 15% gain in the last three months.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Though if you're not interested in researching what drove ADP's performance, we have a free list of interesting investing ideas to potentially inspire your next investment!

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During five years of share price growth, Automatic Data Processing achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 12% per year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 18% per year, over the same period. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Automatic Data Processing has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts.

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Automatic Data Processing the TSR over the last 5 years was 154%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

We're pleased to report that Automatic Data Processing shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 24% over one year. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 20% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Automatic Data Processing that you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St does a detailed discounted cash flow calculation every 6 hours for every stock on the market, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any company just search here. Its FREE.

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Automatic Data Processing's (NASDAQ:ADP) investors will be pleased with their stellar 154% return over the last five years - Simply Wall St

As well as the obvious ethical argument for easing the strain on the planet, going green has clear business benefits in terms of brand reputation, increased efficiency, reduced waste and resulting cost savings.

The technology industry is already playing a key role in supporting organisations to reduce their carbon footprint, whether enabling remote working, automating routine processes or delivering renewable energy sources.

Along with artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT), predictive simulation and digital twin modelling are increasingly being used by companies not just to streamline processes and improve project management but also to help them work in a more sustainable way.

As the name indicates, a digital twin is a virtual replica of existing or proposed processes, business functions, offices, manufacturing plant lines or entire factories. Using this simulation software, a company can design, visualise and experience how new equipment, ways of operating or other innovations will perform.

This modelling allows accurate assessment of such innovations impact, testing of multiple what if? scenarios and the prediction of potential problems, all in a theoretical environment before any investment, installation or construction is started in the real world.

The detailed, interactive visualisation provided by digital twins offers the scope for complex levels of testing and analysis. This provides invaluable data which can help companies make better business decisions around capital investments, resource planning and process design.

It gives unprecedented insight and clarity to inform crucial decisions which could shape the future direction of a business, enabling them to be made without affecting production or supply chain delivery while minimising the risk of costly mistakes.

In a nutshell, digital twins and predictive simulation enable organisations to test new ways of doing things in great detail but all in a risk-free, virtual world.

This software provides the opportunity for businesses to trial all manner of cutting-edge technology, including those aimed at enhancing project management, boosting efficiency and achieving their sustainability goals.

More and more companies are recognising the value of harnessing digital twin simulation to support important decisions around their design, manufacturing, business operations and customer services functions.

Last year BMW revealed its use of digital twin software to virtually build the factory of the future. The simulation incorporated all the multiple complexities of one of the automotive giants 31 car manufacturing plants.

The project involved creating a twin of every element of the complete factory model - including the buildings, equipment, robots and assembly parts - to support virtual factory planning, autonomous robots, predictive maintenance and big data analytics.

It is designed to open up even greater opportunities for faster innovation, reduced planning times, improved flexibility, greater precision and optimal efficiency.

At Lanner, we recently helped Safran Aircraft Engines direct millions of pounds worth of investment by developing a flexible model to help improve operational performance at their primary facility south of Paris. The project focused on five key areas:

We developed a simulation focusing on quality and lead time in order for Safran to develop and test scenarios in a risk-free environment. The results of which have provided an evidence base for significant investment.

As well as the automotive and manufacturing industries, an ever-growing range of sectors are using predictive digital twinning to enhance their business.

Companies ranging from global communications networks to engineering firms, international animal feed suppliers to wind turbine manufacturers have used it to design factories, optimise production, plan business growth, explore the Industrial IoT and implement smart technology.

Adopting a more sustainable approach to realising business objectives encourages a focus on maximising resources while improving long-term viability.

Greater sustainability also boosts profits, according to research by manufacturers organisation Make UK and energy company E.ON undertaken just before the pandemic. They found that 30% of manufacturers were investing in energy efficiency measures, with 40% reporting increased profits and 30% reporting increased competitiveness as a result.

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How digital twins can support better business and greater sustainability | BCS - BCS

Google has been working on making its TV experience faster, more responsive, and less of a hassle for users. According to a post on its support forums on Monday, the company has been working on improving boot time, general performance, and the number of options for managing storage on both third-party TVs as well as its Chromecast with Google TV streaming puck.

The company says that its made it so the Google TV homescreen loads faster, reducing the amount of time before you can pick out which content to watch. Google says it achieved the performance improvements through CPU optimizations and improvements to cache management and that theyve started to roll out on third-party devices and are coming soon for Chromecasts.

According to the post, users should be seeing faster performance in several areas when loading the Live tab, scrolling through the homescreen, or using a kid profile. Some of these improvements, according to the company, are thanks to the fact that Google TV itself uses less RAM, leaving more for apps, especially when youre switching between different screens.

The companys also responding to complaints that have cropped up about how storage limitations can make it difficult to install apps for Google TV, especially on devices like the Chromecast, which only really has 5GB of usable space, according to Android Police. Google says its added a menu in Settings > System > Storage thatll let you free up space by clearing the devices cache and uninstalling apps, which has rolled out to the Chromecast and will be coming soon to smart TVs. It also says theres an automated process that runs in the background to free up space for apps.

With recent reports about Google looking to integrate wearables and free channels into Google TV, it seems like the company could be getting ready to push users toward its big screen experience. If thats the plan, it makes sense that its trying to improve on the basics now. However, as people need more and more apps to keep up with the growing number of streaming services, it may be time for hardware manufacturers (including Google) to consider upgrading the amount of storage that comes with Google TV devices. While software tricks may help reduce the number of low storage error messages, theres really no substitute for just having more space.

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Google admits its Google TV software is too slow - The Verge

Managing a brewery is a juggling act, and it involves keeping an impressive amount of chainsaws (read job tasks) balanced in your hands and in the air around you. Lets just consider a few of the business facets that could coexist under the term craft brewery physical brewing operations, packaging hall, restaurant, bar, distribution wing, government compliance, merch, events, oh my. Then, each one of those umbrella terms branches off into a variety of other managerial ecosystems.

Lets just ponder beer recipes for a moment. How do you manage them? Like on paper? Or in an excel spreadsheet? Your head? Someone elses head? Thats concerning. What if you could quickly search an extensive database of grains to quickly dial up your grain bill? What if you had access to instant gravity and color calculations to make dialing in your beer recipes a breeze? What if this same program/portal/software/thingy also streamlined a bunch of other brewery managerial ops COGS analysis, TTB reporting, yeast management and so much more. Well dear reader, I know of such a software service. Its called Ollie Ops, and its the spotlight of Craft Brewer Business latest webinar: Software Solutions Built by Brewers, For Brewers. Here are the deets:

Ollie Ops will be hosting a webinar withCraft Brewing Businesson Wednesday, Sept. 21 (from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT), to help breweries and beer pros discover how to streamline brewing operations with software. Sign up right here!

Quick question: What is Ollie Ops again? Ollie Ops (formerly Fermentable, owned by parent company Next Glass) is an easy-to-use software to help you manage your brewing operations. Your business is brewing beer, not managing spreadsheets, compiling TTB reports and fumbling through brew logs. The folks at Ollie Ops know the ins and outs of the industry, so they developed a software that gets the paperwork out of the way, so you can get brewing.

Heres an example: When it comes time to generating TTB reports, the classic process can easily involve a full day or more of rummaging through brew logs that had been through the ringer of an active brewing environment, not to mention illegible handwriting. Ollie Ops can generate those TTB reports with only a couple of clicks. It can also automatically track real time raw material inventory and enables simple, intuitive brew log management. It saves brewers time on paperwork, allowing them to focus on their craft. Wanna learn more?

The webinar is free.Sign up right here.

Here are our speakers:

Kyle Kensrue is a brewery solutions account executive at Next Glass (parent company of Ollie Ops). He worked in the hospitality industry for 10 years before moving over to the brewing world. As director of operations at Randolph Beer (Brooklyn, N.Y.) he was in charge of developing their brewing program, to go along with their established bar and restaurant group. He also spent time as the director of operations at the award-winning Gun Hill Brewing (Bronx, N.Y.). Kensrue is a Certified Cicerone and former president of the NYC Brewers Guild.

Dustin Jeffers is a solution consultant at Next Glass. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Connecticut and his Masters Degree from Florida Atlantic University. He has been in the beer industry since 2012, working at Saltwater Brewery as the head brewer/chief operations officer and at 3 Sons Brewing Co. as the director of operations. Jeffers has been a part of multiple aspects of the brewing industry including brewing, front of house, sales and operations.

The webinar is free.Sign up right here.

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Sign up for our free webinar: Optimizing your brewery operations (COGS to yeast management) with a flexible software solution - Craft Brewing Business

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co(F.N) said it will cut a total of 3,000 salaried and contract jobs, mostly in North America and India, as it restructures to catch up with Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) in the race to develop software-driven electric vehicles.

Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley has been saying for months that he believed the Dearborn, Mich. automaker had too many people, and that not enough of its workforce had the skills required as the auto industry shifts to electric vehicles and digital services.

"We are eliminating work, as well as reorganizing and simplifying functions throughout the business. You will hear more specifics from the leaders of your area of the business later this week," Farley and Ford Chairman Bill Ford wrote in a joint email.

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Ford shares were down 4.8% in midday trading amid broader declines on Wall Street.

Like other established automakers, Ford has a workforce largely hired to support a traditional combustion technology product lineup. Going forward, Farley has mapped out a strategy for Ford to develop a broad lineup of electric vehicles. Like Tesla, Ford wants to generate more revenue through services that depend on digital software and connectivity.

Tesla's pre-tax profit margins have exceeded Ford's this year, and Farley has been blunt about the need to cut costs.

In Monday's email to staff, Farley and Ford said the company's cost structure "is uncompetitive versus traditional and new competitors."

Rising prices for batteries, raw materials and shipping are putting additional pressure on Ford and other automakers. Still, Ford has stuck to its full-year profit forecast, despite $3 billion in higher costs due to inflation.

Ford has begun separating its operations into electric, combustion engine and commercial vehicle operations. Farley said in July "cost reduction will happen" in the combustion operations. But Ford said on Monday the staff cuts will affect all parts of the company.

Rival General Motors Co (GM.N) in late 2018 moved to cut 14,000 jobs as it prepared to accelerate its electric vehicle strategy.

Ford, GM and Stellantis' North American operations will confront a new workforce challenge next year as they begin contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers union, which represents the Detroit automakers' U.S. factory employees.

UAW leaders have expressed concern that electric vehicles will mean fewer manufacturing jobs, and more jobs dispersed to non-union battery and EV hardware factories.

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Editing by Bernadette Baum

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Ford cuts 3000 jobs as it pivots to EVs, software - Reuters