ArcBest Corp (ARCB) vs First Advantage Corporation (FA)
A side-by-side comparison of ArcBest Corp and First Advantage Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ARCB
ArcBest Corp
$128.24IndustrialsDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 10:35 AM EDT
FA
First Advantage Corporation
$18.51IndustrialsDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 10:35 AM EDT
Total return — ARCB vs FA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5yARCB +148.6% (+20.0%/yr)FA +3.6% (+0.7%/yr)ARCB compounded faster over this window
ARCB FA
ARCB vs FA: by the numbers
- •FA is the larger company ($3.18B vs $2.87B market cap).
- •FA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (125.94 vs 185.86 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FA converts more revenue to profit (1.51% vs 0.39% net margin).
- •FA grew revenue faster over the past five years (22.61% vs 4.40% CAGR).
- •ARCB pays a dividend (0.37% yield), while FA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ARCB | FA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 185.86 | 125.94 |
| P/S ratio | 0.68 | 1.91 |
| P/B ratio | 2.26 | 2.45 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.32 | 11.63 |
| FCF yield | 6.71% | 7.55% |
Profitability
| Metric | ARCB | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 2.25% | 36.27% |
| Operating margin | 0.69% | 10.76% |
| Net margin | 0.39% | 1.51% |
| ROE | 1.29% | 1.94% |
| ROIC | 1.27% | 3.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | ARCB | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 69.57% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ARCB | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.40% | 22.61% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -1.25% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -0.79% | 21.23% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.96% | -0.53% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ARCB or FA?
- FA has the lower trailing P/E: ARCB trades at 185.86 and FA at 125.94. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ARCB or FA?
- Over the past five years, FA grew revenue faster — ARCB at a 4.40% CAGR versus FA at 22.61%.
- Does ARCB or FA pay a bigger dividend?
- ARCB pays a dividend (0.37% yield), while FA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is ARCB or FA more profitable?
- FA runs the higher net margin — ARCB at 0.39% versus FA at 1.51%.
- How have ARCB and FA total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, ARCB delivered 8.96% and FA delivered -0.53% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
ArcBest P/E ratioFirst Advantage P/E ratioArcBest dividend yieldArcBest ROEFirst Advantage ROEArcBest operating marginFirst Advantage operating marginArcBest revenue growthFirst Advantage revenue growthArcBest free cash flowFirst Advantage free cash flow
ArcBest & First Advantage appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.