Kforce Inc. (KFRC) vs Preformed Line Products Company (PLPC)
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 July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
KFRC
Kforce Inc.
$59.06IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PLPC
Preformed Line Products Company
$283.51IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — KFRC vs PLPC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yKFRC +490.0%PLPC +2744.4%PLPC compounded faster
KFRC PLPC
KFRC vs PLPC: by the numbers
- •PLPC is the larger company ($1.39B vs $1.05B market cap).
- •KFRC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.59 vs 42.75 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •PLPC converts more revenue to profit (4.92% vs 2.71% net margin).
- •PLPC grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.70% vs -1.99% CAGR).
- •KFRC pays the higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.28%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 27.59 | 42.75 |
| Forward P/E | 23.77 | 30.47 |
| P/S ratio | 0.74 | 2.10 |
| P/B ratio | 8.03 | 3.09 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 12.36 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.71 | 18.06 |
| FCF yield | 4.30% | 2.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.57% | 30.86% |
| Operating margin | 4.04% | 7.99% |
| Net margin | 2.71% | 4.92% |
| ROE | 29.51% | 7.24% |
| ROIC | 14.55% | 7.78% |
Dividends
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 0.28% |
| Payout ratio | 80.61% | 11.58% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KFRC | PLPC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -1.99% | 7.70% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.00% | 3.46% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -18.81% | 14.32% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.79% | 34.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, KFRC or PLPC?
- KFRC has the lower trailing P/E: KFRC trades at 27.59 and PLPC at 42.75. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, KFRC or PLPC?
- Over the past five years, PLPC grew revenue faster — KFRC at a -1.99% CAGR versus PLPC at 7.70%.
- Does KFRC or PLPC pay a bigger dividend?
- KFRC yields 2.70% and PLPC yields 0.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KFRC or PLPC more profitable?
- PLPC runs the higher net margin — KFRC at 2.71% versus PLPC at 4.92%.
- How have KFRC and PLPC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, KFRC delivered 15.25% and PLPC delivered 21.26% annualized total return. 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 July 29, 2026.