First Advantage (FA) vs Transcat (TRNS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
First Advantage (FA) has outperformed Transcat (TRNS) over the past year, gaining 24.8% versus a gain of 20.2%. Over five years, TRNS leads with a +22.1% price change compared with -9.2% for FA. First Advantage is the larger company by market cap ($3.22 billion vs $808.7 million), about 4.0 times the size.
On valuation, First Advantage trades at a lower forward P/E (12.4x vs 39.9x for Transcat).
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 | TRNS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $18.73 | $86.40 |
| Market cap | $3.22B | $808.69M |
| 1-day change | +1.96% | -2.69% |
| YTD return | +28.91% | +52.30% |
| 1-year return | +24.78% | +20.20% |
| 5-year return | -9.17% | +22.05% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 133.79 | 240.00 |
| Forward P/E | 12.44 | 39.86 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.14 | $0.36 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $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 | $25.15 | $100.00 |
| 52-week low | $8.82 | $50.23 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.53% | -13.60% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +40.15% | +20.75% |
| Average volume | 2.01M | 124.02K |
| Shares outstanding | 171.75M | 9.36M |
| Employees | 9,500 | 1,413 |
| 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 4.0 times larger than Transcat by market value ($3.22B vs $808.69M).
- Transcat trades at a higher earnings multiple (240.0x vs 133.8x 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.
Industrials · Specialty Business Services · 9,500 employees
About Transcat
TRNS stock →Transcat, Inc. provides calibration and laboratory instrument services in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Industrials · Specialty Business Services · 1,413 employees
FA vs TRNS FAQ
Which is bigger, First Advantage or Transcat?
First Advantage (FA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.22B compared with $808.69M for Transcat (TRNS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FA or TRNS?
FA returned +24.78% over the past 12 months, compared with +20.20% for TRNS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FA or TRNS?
FA has the lower trailing P/E at 133.8, versus 240.0 for TRNS. 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 Transcat in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Business Services industry within the Industrials sector.