Hackett Group (The). (HCKT) vs HireQuest (HQI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
HireQuest (HQI) has outperformed Hackett Group (The). (HCKT) over the past year, gaining 96.6% versus a loss of 41.7%. Over five years, HQI leads with a -9.5% price change compared with -46.0% for HCKT. Hackett Group (The). is the larger company by market cap ($276.9 million vs $238.9 million), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Hackett Group (The). trades at a lower forward P/E (7.0x vs 20.4x for HireQuest). Hackett Group (The). offers the higher dividend yield (4.31% vs 1.40%).
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 | HCKT | HQI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $11.13 | $17.20 |
| Market cap | $276.89M | $238.92M |
| 1-day change | +1.37% | -5.39% |
| YTD return | -43.30% | +63.65% |
| 1-year return | -41.70% | +96.57% |
| 5-year return | -46.02% | -9.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.67 | 28.67 |
| Forward P/E | 6.99 | 20.36 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.63 | $0.60 |
| Dividend yield | 4.31% | 1.40% |
| Annual dividend | $0.48 | $0.24 |
| 52-week high | $20.68 | $20.84 |
| 52-week low | $9.16 | $7.38 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -46.18% | -17.47% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +49.78% | +10.47% |
| Average volume | 276.21K | 24.21K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.88M | 13.89M |
| Employees | 1,491 | 88 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Professional Services | Professional 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
- HQI has outperformed HCKT by 138.3 percentage points over the past year.
- HireQuest trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.7x vs 17.7x trailing P/E).
- Hackett Group (The). offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.31% vs 1.40%).
About Hackett Group (The).
HCKT stock →The Hackett Group, Inc. operates as an intellectual property platform-based generative artificial intelligence strategic consulting and executive advisory digital transformation in the United States, Europe, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Professional Services · 1,491 employees
About HireQuest
HQI stock →HireQuest, Inc. provides staffing solutions in the United States.
Consumer Discretionary · Professional Services · 88 employees
HCKT vs HQI FAQ
Which is bigger, Hackett Group (The). or HireQuest?
Hackett Group (The). (HCKT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $276.89M compared with $238.92M for HireQuest (HQI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HCKT or HQI?
HQI returned +96.57% over the past 12 months, compared with -41.70% for HCKT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HCKT or HQI?
HCKT has the lower trailing P/E at 17.7, versus 28.7 for HQI. 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, Hackett Group (The). or HireQuest?
Hackett Group (The). has the higher yield at 4.31%, compared with 1.40% for HireQuest.
Are Hackett Group (The). and HireQuest in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Professional Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.