Agilysys (AGYS) vs First Advantage (FA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
First Advantage (FA) has outperformed Agilysys (AGYS) over the past year, gaining 22.0% versus a loss of 6.2%. Over five years, AGYS leads with a +90.6% price change compared with -10.9% for FA. First Advantage is the larger company by market cap ($3.15 billion vs $2.83 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, First Advantage trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 31.4x for Agilysys). Agilysys converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.1% versus -2.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AGYS | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $100.36 | $18.35 |
| Market cap | $2.83B | $3.15B |
| 1-day change | -1.53% | -0.11% |
| YTD return | -14.24% | +26.43% |
| 1-year return | -6.22% | +21.98% |
| 5-year return | +90.65% | -10.91% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 66.03 | 131.07 |
| Forward P/E | 31.35 | 12.19 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.52 | $0.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $319.31M | $1.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +15.85% | +83.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $38.79M | $-34.82M |
| Gross margin | 62.61% | — |
| Operating margin | 13.47% | 8.41% |
| Net margin | 12.15% | -2.21% |
| 52-week high | $145.25 | $25.15 |
| 52-week low | $61.50 | $8.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.91% | -27.04% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +34.02% | +43.05% |
| Average volume | 261.92K | 2.01M |
| Shares outstanding | 28.21M | 171.75M |
| Employees | 2,413 | 9,500 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | EDP Services | EDP Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- FA has outperformed AGYS by 28.2 percentage points over the past year.
- First Advantage trades at a higher earnings multiple (131.1x vs 66.0x trailing P/E).
- Agilysys is more profitable, keeping 12.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -2.2 cents for First Advantage.
- First Advantage grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+83.02% vs +15.85%).
About Agilysys
AGYS stock →Agilysys, Inc. operates as a developer and marketer of software-enabled solutions and services to the hospitality industry in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and India.
Technology · EDP Services · 2,413 employees
About First Advantage
FA stock →First Advantage Corporation provides employment background screening, digital identity, and verification solutions internationally. It offers pre-onboarding products and solutions, such as criminal background checks, drug/health screening, extended workforce screening, FBI channeling, identity checks and biometric fraud mitigation tools, education/work history verification, driver records and compliance, healthcare credentials, executive screening, and other screening products.
Technology · EDP Services · 9,500 employees
AGYS vs FA FAQ
Which is bigger, Agilysys or First Advantage?
First Advantage (FA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.15B compared with $2.83B for Agilysys (AGYS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AGYS or FA?
FA returned +21.98% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.22% for AGYS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AGYS or FA?
AGYS has the lower trailing P/E at 66.0, versus 131.1 for FA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Agilysys and First Advantage in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.