First Advantage (FA) vs NetScout Systems (NTCT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
NetScout Systems (NTCT) has outperformed First Advantage (FA) over the past year, gaining 54.3% versus a gain of 22.0%. Over five years, NTCT leads with a +43.4% price change compared with -10.9% for FA. First Advantage is the larger company by market cap ($3.16 billion vs $2.91 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, First Advantage trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 14.3x for NetScout Systems).
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 | FA | NTCT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $18.37 | $40.07 |
| Market cap | $3.16B | $2.91B |
| 1-day change | -0.65% | -2.24% |
| YTD return | +26.43% | +48.08% |
| 1-year return | +21.98% | +54.29% |
| 5-year return | -10.91% | +43.36% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 131.21 | 25.20 |
| Forward P/E | 12.20 | 14.33 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.14 | $1.59 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $25.15 | $45.28 |
| 52-week low | $8.82 | $25.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.96% | -11.51% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +42.90% | +8.26% |
| Average volume | 2.00M | 606.06K |
| Shares outstanding | 171.75M | 72.71M |
| Employees | 9,500 | 2,052 |
| 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
- NTCT has outperformed FA by 32.3 percentage points over the past year.
- First Advantage trades at a higher earnings multiple (131.2x vs 25.2x trailing P/E).
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
About NetScout Systems
NTCT stock →NetScout Systems, Inc. provides carrier service assurance, cybersecurity, and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) solutions to protect digital business services against disruptions.
Technology · EDP Services · 2,052 employees
FA vs NTCT FAQ
Which is bigger, First Advantage or NetScout Systems?
First Advantage (FA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.16B compared with $2.91B for NetScout Systems (NTCT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FA or NTCT?
NTCT returned +54.29% over the past 12 months, compared with +21.98% for FA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FA or NTCT?
NTCT has the lower trailing P/E at 25.2, 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 First Advantage and NetScout Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.