Ennis (EBF) vs First Advantage (FA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ennis (EBF) has outperformed First Advantage (FA) over the past year, gaining 28.8% versus a gain of 24.8%. Over five years, EBF leads with a +20.7% price change compared with -9.2% for FA. First Advantage is the larger company by market cap ($3.22 billion vs $576.0 million), about 5.6 times the size.
On valuation, First Advantage trades at a lower forward P/E (12.4x vs 14.1x for Ennis). Ennis pays a dividend yielding 4.45%, while First Advantage does not currently pay one.
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 | EBF | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $22.75 | $18.73 |
| Market cap | $575.98M | $3.22B |
| 1-day change | +1.11% | +1.96% |
| YTD return | +26.32% | +28.91% |
| 1-year return | +28.82% | +24.78% |
| 5-year return | +20.69% | -9.17% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.87 | 133.79 |
| Forward P/E | 14.13 | 12.44 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.53 | $0.14 |
| Dividend yield | 4.45% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.01 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +83.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $-34.82M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.41% |
| Net margin | — | -2.21% |
| 52-week high | $22.94 | $25.15 |
| 52-week low | $16.30 | $8.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -0.83% | -25.53% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.49% | +40.15% |
| Average volume | 152.24K | 2.01M |
| Shares outstanding | 25.32M | 171.75M |
| Employees | 1,835 | 9,500 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Specialty Business Services | Specialty Business 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
- First Advantage is about 5.6 times larger than Ennis by market value ($3.22B vs $575.98M).
- First Advantage trades at a higher earnings multiple (133.8x vs 14.9x trailing P/E).
- Ennis offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.45% vs 0.00%).
About Ennis
EBF stock →Ennis, Inc. produces and sells business forms and other printed products in the United States.
Industrials · Specialty Business Services · 1,835 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.
Industrials · Specialty Business Services · 9,500 employees
EBF vs FA FAQ
Which is bigger, Ennis or First Advantage?
First Advantage (FA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.22B compared with $575.98M for Ennis (EBF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EBF or FA?
EBF returned +28.82% over the past 12 months, compared with +24.78% for FA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EBF or FA?
EBF has the lower trailing P/E at 14.9, versus 133.8 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ennis or First Advantage?
Ennis pays a dividend yielding 4.45%, while First Advantage does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ennis and First Advantage in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Business Services industry within the Industrials sector.