Kforce Inc. (KFRC) vs Preformed Line Products Company (PLPC)
KFRC and PLPC are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
A side-by-side comparison of Kforce Inc. and Preformed Line Products Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — KFRC vs PLPC
growth of $100 · last 30yKFRC +334.8%PLPC +2076.3%PLPC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
KFRC PLPC
KFRC vs PLPC: by the numbers
- •PLPC is the larger company ($1.84B vs $892M market cap).
- •KFRC trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.64 vs 54.02 P/E).
- •PLPC converts more revenue to profit (4.92% vs 2.60% net margin).
- •PLPC grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.70% vs -1.39% CAGR).
- •KFRC pays the higher dividend yield (3.16% vs 0.22%).
Which is better, KFRC or PLPC?
Metric tally: KFRC 8 · PLPC 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueKFRC(lower P/E)
GrowthPLPC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKFRC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKFRC(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.64● | 54.02 |
| Forward P/E | 20.77● | 38.50 |
| P/S ratio | 0.65● | 2.65 |
| P/B ratio | 7.33 | 3.91● |
| PEG ratio | — | 15.61 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.36● | 26.09 |
| FCF yield | 5.04%● | 1.88% |
Profitability
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.22% | 30.86%● |
| Operating margin | 3.80% | 7.99%● |
| Net margin | 2.60% | 4.92%● |
| ROE | 29.49%● | 7.24% |
| ROIC | 14.55%● | 7.78% |
Dividends
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.16%● | 0.22% |
| Payout ratio | 80.61% | 11.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -1.39% | 7.70%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.00% | 3.46%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -18.81% | -0.67%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -1.68% | 37.46%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KFRC or PLPC?
- It depends on your goal. value: KFRC (lower P/E); growth: PLPC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KFRC (higher dividend yield); quality: KFRC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is KFRC or PLPC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, KFRC is cheaper: KFRC trades at a 25.64 P/E and PLPC at 54.02.
- Which has grown faster, KFRC or PLPC?
- Over the past five years, PLPC grew revenue faster — KFRC at a -1.39% CAGR versus PLPC at 7.70%.
- Does KFRC or PLPC pay a bigger dividend?
- KFRC yields 3.16% and PLPC yields 0.22% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KFRC or PLPC more profitable?
- PLPC runs the higher net margin — KFRC at 2.60% versus PLPC at 4.92%.
- Which has been the better investment, KFRC or PLPC?
- Over the past 10-year, PLPC delivered the higher annualized total return — KFRC at 13.04% versus PLPC at 25.90%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Kforce P/E ratioPreformed Line Products P/E ratioKforce dividend yieldPreformed Line Products dividend yieldKforce ROEPreformed Line Products ROEKforce operating marginPreformed Line Products operating marginKforce revenue growthPreformed Line Products revenue growthKforce free cash flowPreformed Line Products free cash flow
Kforce & Preformed Line Products 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 June 14, 2026.