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 30y
KFRC +334.8%PLPC +2076.3%PLPC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$435$2,176
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 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueKFRC(lower P/E)
GrowthPLPC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKFRC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKFRC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricKFRCPLPC
P/E ratio25.6454.02
Forward P/E20.7738.50
P/S ratio0.652.65
P/B ratio7.333.91
PEG ratio15.61
EV / EBITDA18.3626.09
FCF yield5.04%1.88%

Profitability

MetricKFRCPLPC
Gross margin27.22%30.86%
Operating margin3.80%7.99%
Net margin2.60%4.92%
ROE29.49%7.24%
ROIC14.55%7.78%

Dividends

MetricKFRCPLPC
Dividend yield3.16%0.22%
Payout ratio80.61%11.44%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKFRCPLPC
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.

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.