HireQuest (HQI) vs Kforce (KFRC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
HireQuest (HQI) has outperformed Kforce (KFRC) over the past year, gaining 101.4% versus a gain of 75.8%. Over five years, HQI leads with a -2.9% price change compared with -18.7% for KFRC. Kforce is the larger company by market cap ($937.5 million vs $252.5 million), about 3.7 times the size.
On valuation, Kforce trades at a lower forward P/E (17.0x vs 21.5x for HireQuest). Kforce offers the higher dividend yield (3.02% vs 1.32%).
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 | HQI | KFRC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $18.18 | $52.35 |
| Market cap | $252.53M | $937.54M |
| 1-day change | -1.46% | +1.18% |
| YTD return | +75.55% | +69.31% |
| 1-year return | +101.42% | +75.85% |
| 5-year return | -2.89% | -18.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.30 | 24.69 |
| Forward P/E | 21.51 | 16.95 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.60 | $2.12 |
| Dividend yield | 1.32% | 3.02% |
| Annual dividend | $0.24 | $1.58 |
| 52-week high | $20.84 | $61.68 |
| 52-week low | $7.38 | $24.49 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.76% | -15.13% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.51% | +15.89% |
| Average volume | 23.58K | 256.46K |
| Shares outstanding | 13.89M | 17.91M |
| Employees | 88 | 1,600 |
| 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
- Kforce is about 3.7 times larger than HireQuest by market value ($937.54M vs $252.53M).
- HQI has outperformed KFRC by 25.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Kforce offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.02% vs 1.32%).
About HireQuest
HQI stock →HireQuest, Inc. provides staffing solutions in the United States.
Consumer Discretionary · Professional Services · 88 employees
About Kforce
KFRC stock →Kforce Inc. provides professional staffing services and solutions in the United States.
Consumer Discretionary · Professional Services · 1,600 employees
HQI vs KFRC FAQ
Which is bigger, HireQuest or Kforce?
Kforce (KFRC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $937.54M compared with $252.53M for HireQuest (HQI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HQI or KFRC?
HQI returned +101.42% over the past 12 months, compared with +75.85% for KFRC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HQI or KFRC?
KFRC has the lower trailing P/E at 24.7, versus 30.3 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, HireQuest or Kforce?
Kforce has the higher yield at 3.02%, compared with 1.32% for HireQuest.
Are HireQuest and Kforce in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Professional Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.