HireQuest, Inc. (HQI) vs Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH)

A side-by-side comparison of HireQuest, Inc. and Perma-Pipe International Holdings, 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 — HQI vs PPIH

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
HQI +364.9% (+16.6%/yr)PPIH +320.2% (+15.4%/yr)HQI compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$465$420
HQI PPIH

HQI vs PPIH: by the numbers

  • •HQI is the larger company ($265M vs $261M market cap).
  • •PPIH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.88 vs 32.25 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •HQI converts more revenue to profit (27.06% vs 6.89% net margin).
  • •PPIH grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.40% vs 13.66% CAGR).
  • •HQI pays a dividend (1.26% yield), while PPIH has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHQIPPIH
P/E ratio32.2516.88
Forward P/E24.5521.11
PEG ratio11.12N/A
P/S ratio8.801.15
P/B ratio3.852.79
EV / EBITDA21.788.39
FCF yield3.56%5.24%

Profitability

MetricHQIPPIH
Gross margin97.47%31.13%
Operating margin29.92%12.06%
Net margin27.06%6.89%
ROE11.85%16.67%
ROIC11.23%12.49%

Dividends

MetricHQIPPIH
Dividend yield1.26%N/A
Payout ratio40.68%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricHQIPPIH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.66%16.40%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.38%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)5.64%N/A
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.04%29.99%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, HQI or PPIH?
PPIH has the lower trailing P/E: HQI trades at 32.25 and PPIH at 16.88. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, HQI or PPIH?
Over the past five years, PPIH grew revenue faster — HQI at a 13.66% CAGR versus PPIH at 16.40%.
Does HQI or PPIH pay a bigger dividend?
HQI pays a dividend (1.26% yield), while PPIH has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is HQI or PPIH more profitable?
HQI runs the higher net margin — HQI at 27.06% versus PPIH at 6.89%.
How have HQI and PPIH total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, HQI delivered 16.31% and PPIH delivered 15.38% 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.