CarGurus (CARG) 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 CarGurus (CARG) over the past year, gaining 22.0% versus a loss of 19.0%. Over five years, FA leads with a -10.9% price change compared with -17.0% for CARG. First Advantage is the larger company by market cap ($3.16 billion vs $2.56 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, CarGurus trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 12.2x for First Advantage). CarGurus converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.2% 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 | CARG | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.77 | $18.37 |
| Market cap | $2.56B | $3.16B |
| 1-day change | +0.14% | -0.65% |
| YTD return | -24.98% | +26.43% |
| 1-year return | -18.96% | +21.98% |
| 5-year return | -16.99% | -10.91% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.30 | 131.21 |
| Forward P/E | 9.52 | 12.20 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.88 | $0.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $906.98M | $1.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +13.65% | +83.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $155.90M | $-34.82M |
| Gross margin | 92.78% | — |
| Operating margin | 26.95% | 8.41% |
| Net margin | 17.19% | -2.21% |
| 52-week high | $41.22 | $25.15 |
| 52-week low | $26.39 | $8.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.20% | -26.96% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +43.45% | +42.90% |
| Average volume | 1.12M | 2.01M |
| Shares outstanding | 75.31M | 171.75M |
| Employees | 1,218 | 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 CARG by 40.9 percentage points over the past year.
- First Advantage trades at a higher earnings multiple (131.2x vs 15.3x trailing P/E).
- CarGurus is more profitable, keeping 17.2 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 +13.65%).
About CarGurus
CARG stock →CarGurus, Inc. operates an online automotive platform for buying and selling vehicles in the United States and internationally.
Technology · EDP Services · 1,218 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
CARG vs FA FAQ
Which is bigger, CarGurus or First Advantage?
First Advantage (FA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.16B compared with $2.56B for CarGurus (CARG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CARG or FA?
FA returned +21.98% over the past 12 months, compared with -18.96% for CARG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CARG or FA?
CARG has the lower trailing P/E at 15.3, versus 131.2 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 CarGurus and First Advantage in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.