Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) vs First Advantage Corporation (FA)
A side-by-side comparison of Exponent, Inc. 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.
EXPO
Exponent, Inc.
$69.04IndustrialsDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 2:35 PM EDT
FA
First Advantage Corporation
$18.53IndustrialsDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 2:35 PM EDT
Total return — EXPO vs FA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5yEXPO -18.0% (-3.9%/yr)FA +3.6% (+0.7%/yr)FA compounded faster over this window
EXPO FA
EXPO vs FA: by the numbers
- •EXPO is the larger company ($3.35B vs $3.18B market cap).
- •EXPO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (30.96 vs 126.03 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •EXPO converts more revenue to profit (17.67% vs 1.51% net margin).
- •FA grew revenue faster over the past five years (22.61% vs 8.90% CAGR).
- •EXPO pays a dividend (1.79% yield), while FA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EXPO | FA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.96 | 126.03 |
| Forward P/E | 29.93 | N/A |
| PEG ratio | 5.20 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 5.30 | 1.91 |
| P/B ratio | 11.60 | 2.46 |
| EV / EBITDA | 24.40 | 11.64 |
| FCF yield | 3.24% | 7.55% |
Profitability
| Metric | EXPO | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 24.60% | 36.27% |
| Operating margin | 20.17% | 10.76% |
| Net margin | 17.67% | 1.51% |
| ROE | 38.73% | 1.94% |
| ROIC | 18.49% | 3.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | EXPO | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 55.16% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EXPO | FA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.90% | 22.61% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.65% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 0.14% | 21.23% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -8.77% | -0.53% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, EXPO or FA?
- EXPO has the lower trailing P/E: EXPO trades at 30.96 and FA at 126.03. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, EXPO or FA?
- Over the past five years, FA grew revenue faster — EXPO at a 8.90% CAGR versus FA at 22.61%.
- Does EXPO or FA pay a bigger dividend?
- EXPO pays a dividend (1.79% yield), while FA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is EXPO or FA more profitable?
- EXPO runs the higher net margin — EXPO at 17.67% versus FA at 1.51%.
- How have EXPO and FA total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, EXPO delivered -8.77% and FA delivered -0.53% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Exponent P/E ratioFirst Advantage P/E ratioExponent dividend yieldExponent ROEFirst Advantage ROEExponent operating marginFirst Advantage operating marginExponent revenue growthFirst Advantage revenue growthExponent free cash flowFirst Advantage free cash flow
Exponent & 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.