Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI) vs Kimball Electronics, Inc. (KE)

A side-by-side comparison of Barrett Business Services, Inc. and Kimball Electronics, Inc. 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.

Compare

Total return — BBSI vs KE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
BBSI +187.5% (+11.1%/yr)KE +103.1% (+7.3%/yr)BBSI compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$288$203
BBSI KE

BBSI vs KE: by the numbers

  • •BBSI is the larger company ($767M vs $688M market cap).
  • •BBSI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.96 vs 25.30 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •BBSI converts more revenue to profit (2.77% vs 1.95% net margin).
  • •BBSI grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.78% vs 2.07% CAGR).
  • •BBSI pays a dividend (1.02% yield), while KE has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBBSIKE
P/E ratio22.9625.30
Forward P/E23.3417.86
PEG ratio1.68N/A
P/S ratio0.610.48
P/B ratio3.761.18
EV / EBITDA12.546.78
FCF yield2.02%N/A

Profitability

MetricBBSIKE
Gross margin19.81%8.10%
Operating margin4.13%4.83%
Net margin2.77%1.95%
ROE17.22%4.78%
ROIC9.99%4.93%

Dividends

MetricBBSIKE
Dividend yield1.02%N/A
Payout ratio23.53%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricBBSIKE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.78%2.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.72%-12.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.71%0.73%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BBSI or KE?
BBSI has the lower trailing P/E: BBSI trades at 22.96 and KE at 25.30. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BBSI or KE?
Over the past five years, BBSI grew revenue faster — BBSI at a 6.78% CAGR versus KE at 2.07%.
Does BBSI or KE pay a bigger dividend?
BBSI pays a dividend (1.02% yield), while KE has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is BBSI or KE more profitable?
BBSI runs the higher net margin — BBSI at 2.77% versus KE at 1.95%.
How have BBSI and KE total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, BBSI delivered 11.18% and KE delivered 7.37% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.