MetaCap

ExlService (EXLS) vs Parsons (PSN)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.

Summary

ExlService (EXLS) has outperformed Parsons (PSN) over the past year, losing 16.2% versus a loss of 52.1%. Over five years, EXLS leads with a +43.0% price change compared with +16.2% for PSN. ExlService is the larger company by market cap ($5.38 billion vs $4.49 billion), about 1.2 times the size.

On valuation, Parsons trades at a lower forward P/E (12.3x vs 13.7x for ExlService). ExlService converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.0% versus 3.8%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

EXLS-16.15%PSN-52.12%
+5%-26%-57%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
EXLS+41.01%PSN+20.75%
+236%+105%-26%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

EXLS versus PSN key metrics
MetricEXLSPSN
Share price$35.51$42.02
Market cap$5.38B$4.49B
1-day change+0.28%-0.19%
YTD return-16.33%-32.01%
1-year return-16.15%-52.12%
5-year return+43.01%+16.17%
P/E ratio (TTM)22.4728.98
Forward P/E13.6712.29
EPS (TTM)$1.58$1.45
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$2.09B$6.36B
Revenue growth (YoY)+13.56%-5.72%
Net income (latest FY)$251.02M$241.14M
Gross margin38.37%22.49%
Operating margin15.03%6.57%
Net margin12.02%3.79%
52-week high$43.88$89.50
52-week low$24.85$36.26
Distance from 52-week high-19.07%-53.05%
Analyst consensusstrong_buybuy
Avg. price target upside+25.68%+39.77%
Average volume2.22M1.40M
Shares outstanding151.61M106.81M
Employees65,00021,000
SectorConsumer DiscretionaryTechnology
IndustryBusiness ServicesEDP 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

  • EXLS has outperformed PSN by 36.0 percentage points over the past year.
  • Parsons trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.0x vs 22.5x trailing P/E).
  • ExlService is more profitable, keeping 12.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.8 cents for Parsons.
  • ExlService grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+13.56% vs -5.72%).
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: ExlService in Consumer Discretionary and Parsons in Technology.

About ExlService

EXLS stock →

ExlService Holdings, Inc., operates as a data and artificial intelligence (“AI”) company in the North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Insurance; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Banking, Capital Markets, and Diversified Industries; and International Growth Markets.

Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 65,000 employees

About Parsons

PSN stock →

Parsons Corporation provides design, engineering and technical services, and smart and agile software for the United States federal government and critical infrastructure customers worldwide. It operates through Federal Solutions and Critical Infrastructure segments.

Technology · EDP Services · 21,000 employees

EXLS vs PSN FAQ

Which is bigger, ExlService or Parsons?

ExlService (EXLS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.38B compared with $4.49B for Parsons (PSN).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, EXLS or PSN?

EXLS returned -16.15% over the past 12 months, compared with -52.12% for PSN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, EXLS or PSN?

EXLS has the lower trailing P/E at 22.5, versus 29.0 for PSN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Are ExlService and Parsons in the same industry?

No. ExlService is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Parsons is in Technology.

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