MetaCap

HireQuest (HQI) vs TrueBlue (TBI)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

HireQuest (HQI) has outperformed TrueBlue (TBI) over the past year, gaining 104.3% versus a gain of 56.6%. Over five years, HQI leads with a -4.3% price change compared with -70.5% for TBI. TrueBlue is the larger company by market cap ($274.0 million vs $242.6 million), about 1.1 times the size.

On valuation, TrueBlue trades at a lower forward P/E (11.0x vs 20.7x for HireQuest). HireQuest pays a dividend yielding 1.37%, while TrueBlue does not currently pay one.

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

Relative performance

HQI+104.27%TBI+56.58%
+134%+41%-52%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
HQI-8.04%TBI-70.81%
+51%-23%-96%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

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

Head-to-head

HQI versus TBI key metrics
MetricHQITBI
Share price$17.47$9.00
Market cap$242.60M$274.00M
1-day change-3.93%-1.75%
YTD return+72.98%+101.32%
1-year return+104.27%+56.58%
5-year return-4.32%-70.50%
P/E ratio (TTM)29.11—
Forward P/E20.6711.02
EPS (TTM)$0.60$-1.88
Dividend yield1.37%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.24$0.00
52-week high$20.84$11.03
52-week low$7.38$3.18
Distance from 52-week high-16.19%-18.40%
Analyst consensusnonebuy
Avg. price target upside+8.79%+8.33%
Average volume23.82K282.94K
Shares outstanding13.89M30.44M
Employees883,500
SectorConsumer DiscretionaryConsumer Discretionary
IndustryProfessional ServicesProfessional 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 TBI by 47.7 percentage points over the past year.
  • HireQuest offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.37% vs 0.00%).

About HireQuest

HQI stock →

HireQuest, Inc. provides staffing solutions in the United States.

Consumer Discretionary · Professional Services · 88 employees

About TrueBlue

TBI stock →

TrueBlue, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides specialized workforce solutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Puerto Rico. It operates through three segments: PeopleReady, PeopleManagement, and PeopleSolutions.

Consumer Discretionary · Professional Services · 3,500 employees

HQI vs TBI FAQ

Which is bigger, HireQuest or TrueBlue?

TrueBlue (TBI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $274.00M compared with $242.60M for HireQuest (HQI).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, HQI or TBI?

HQI returned +104.27% over the past 12 months, compared with +56.58% for TBI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, HireQuest or TrueBlue?

HireQuest pays a dividend yielding 1.37%, while TrueBlue does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are HireQuest and TrueBlue in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Professional Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.

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