FA vs. GPN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FA and GPN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FA | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | First Advantage Corporation | Global Payments Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Financial Services |
| Market Capitalization | 2.26 billion USD | 17.82 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 23, 2021 | January 16, 2001 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FA and GPN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | FA | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.08% | -2.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -19.96% | -14.61% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -26.02% | -10.45% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -26.80% | -36.15% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.43% | -4.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -29.58% | -33.87% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.04M | 2.67M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.84M | 2.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.07% | 31.70% |
| Beta | 1.20 | 0.82 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FA
-10.69%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 50.82%
- Q3
- 32.98%
- Median
- 21.73%
- Q1
- 12.35%
- Min
- -10.69%
FA has a negative Return on Equity of -10.69%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
GPN
7.79%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 34.42%
- Q3
- 16.76%
- Median
- 9.18%
- Q1
- 3.90%
- Min
- -10.16%
GPN’s Return on Equity of 7.79% is on par with the norm for the Financial Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FA
-9.49%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 27.86%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 7.71%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- -9.49%
FA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.49%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
GPN
19.68%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 52.16%
- Q3
- 25.33%
- Median
- 13.11%
- Q1
- 7.04%
- Min
- -8.99%
GPN’s Net Profit Margin of 19.68% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FA
0.40%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.71%
- Q3
- 19.52%
- Median
- 12.30%
- Q1
- 7.86%
- Min
- -1.29%
FA’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.40% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
GPN
28.22%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 81.07%
- Q3
- 40.32%
- Median
- 19.93%
- Q1
- 10.20%
- Min
- -34.40%
GPN’s Operating Profit Margin of 28.22% is around the midpoint for the Financial Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FA | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -10.69% | 7.79% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -3.57% | 3.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -9.49% | 19.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.40% | 28.22% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.88% | 67.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FA
2.26
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.69
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
FA’s Current Ratio of 2.26 is in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
GPN
0.85
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.01
For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FA
1.62
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
FA’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Professional Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.62. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GPN
0.71
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 5.07
- Q3
- 2.14
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FA
-1.21
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.35
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
FA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.21. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
GPN
5.15
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 140.54
- Q3
- 57.67
- Median
- 6.72
- Q1
- 1.93
- Min
- -33.27
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FA | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.26 | 0.85 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.17 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.62 | 0.71 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -1.21 | 5.15 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FA
0.01%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.35%
- Q3
- 2.86%
- Median
- 1.57%
- Q1
- 0.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
FA’s Dividend Yield of 0.01% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
GPN
1.39%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.52%
- Q3
- 3.60%
- Median
- 1.75%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GPN’s Dividend Yield of 1.39% is consistent with its peers in the Financial Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FA
3.45%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 99.60%
- Q3
- 69.06%
- Median
- 43.41%
- Q1
- 19.44%
- Min
- 0.00%
FA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 3.45% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
GPN
13.82%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 132.10%
- Q3
- 64.32%
- Median
- 17.51%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GPN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.82% is within the typical range for the Financial Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FA | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.01% | 1.39% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 3.45% | 13.82% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FA
--
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.91
- Q3
- 32.20
- Median
- 25.00
- Q1
- 17.95
- Min
- 6.60
P/E Ratio data for FA is currently unavailable.
GPN
9.96
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 46.13
- Q3
- 28.79
- Median
- 13.18
- Q1
- 9.14
- Min
- 0.47
GPN’s P/E Ratio of 9.96 is within the middle range for the Financial Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FA
1.49
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.52
- Q3
- 4.25
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.18
FA’s P/S Ratio of 1.49 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GPN
1.96
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 9.71
- Q3
- 4.81
- Median
- 2.49
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.04
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FA
2.06
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.65
- Q3
- 9.28
- Median
- 6.16
- Q1
- 2.96
- Min
- 0.53
FA’s P/B Ratio of 2.06 is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
GPN
0.89
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.21
- Q3
- 3.51
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.08
GPN’s P/B Ratio of 0.89 is within the conventional range for the Financial Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FA | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 9.96 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 1.96 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.06 | 0.89 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 23.71 | 8.07 |