Staffing & Employment Services
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BGSF vs KELYA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Staffing & Employment Services
BGSF vs KELYA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services |
| Market Cap | $57M | $345M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $51M | $4.25B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-11M | $-254M |
| Gross Margin | 35.9% | 20.1% |
| Operating Margin | -21.7% | -1.6% |
| Forward P/E | — | 11.1x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $159M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $19M | $33M |
BGSF vs KELYA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| BGSF, Inc. (BGSF) | 100 | 48.2 | -51.8% |
| Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) | 100 | 65.3 | -34.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BGSF vs KELYA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
BGSF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.95, yield 40.1%
- -16.5% 10Y total return vs KELYA's -33.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.95, Low D/E 3.4%, current ratio 4.12x
KELYA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth -1.9%, EPS growth -427.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -5.0%
- -1.9% revenue growth vs BGSF's -65.8%
- -6.0% margin vs BGSF's -21.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -1.9% revenue growth vs BGSF's -65.8% | |
| Quality / Margins | -6.0% margin vs BGSF's -21.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.95 vs KELYA's 1.01, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 40.1% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs KELYA's 3.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +109.4% vs KELYA's -12.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -11.3% ROA vs BGSF's -12.6%, ROIC -4.0% vs -8.5% |
BGSF vs KELYA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
BGSF vs KELYA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KELYA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KELYA is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.3B annually — 83.4x BGSF's $51M. KELYA is the more profitable business, keeping -6.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BGSF's -21.2%. On growth, KELYA holds the edge at -11.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $51M | $4.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$11M | -$27M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$11M | -$254M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$987,000 | $114M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.9% | +20.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -21.7% | -1.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -21.2% | -6.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -1.9% | +2.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -67.0% | -11.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +100.0% | -3.2% |
Valuation Metrics
KELYA leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $57M | $345M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $39M | $471M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -7.19x | -1.35x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 11.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.61x | 0.08x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.16x | 0.35x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 3.02x |
Profitability & Efficiency
BGSF leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BGSF delivers a -19.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-19 in annual profit, vs $-26 for KELYA. BGSF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KELYA's 0.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KELYA scores 5/9 vs BGSF's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -19.3% | -26.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -12.6% | -11.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -8.5% | -4.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -10.8% | -4.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$17M | $126M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $19M | $33M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $159M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -2.88x | -5.02x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BGSF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BGSF five years ago would be worth $6,468 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,202 for KELYA. Over the past 12 months, BGSF leads with a +109.4% total return vs KELYA's -12.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BGSF at -8.0% vs KELYA's -12.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +7.8% | +14.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +109.4% | -12.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -22.1% | -33.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.3% | -58.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -16.5% | -33.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -8.0% | -12.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BGSF and KELYA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BGSF is the less volatile stock with a 0.95 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KELYA's 1.01 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. KELYA currently trades 65.5% from its 52-week high vs BGSF's 61.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.95x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $8.22 | $14.94 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.20 | $7.98 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +61.3% | +65.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 36.0 | 65.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 22K | 352K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — BGSF and KELYA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, BGSF offers the higher dividend yield at 40.13% vs KELYA's 3.20%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $15.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +40.1% | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.02 | $0.31 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.7% | +3.6% |
KELYA leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). BGSF leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 2 tied.
BGSF vs KELYA: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BGSF or KELYA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) is the stronger pick with -1. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -65. 8% for BGSF, Inc. (BGSF). Analysts rate Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) a "Buy" — based on 5 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — BGSF or KELYA?
Over the past 5 years, BGSF, Inc.
(BGSF) delivered a total return of -35. 3%, compared to -58. 0% for Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BGSF returned -16. 5% versus KELYA's -33. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — BGSF or KELYA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), BGSF, Inc.
(BGSF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 95β versus Kelly Services, Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning KELYA is approximately 6% more volatile than BGSF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BGSF, Inc. (BGSF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 16% for Kelly Services, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — BGSF or KELYA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) is pulling ahead at -1. 9% versus -65. 8% for BGSF, Inc. (BGSF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BGSF, Inc. grew EPS -125. 8% year-over-year, compared to -427. 4% for Kelly Services, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KELYA leads at -5. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — BGSF or KELYA?
Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) is the more profitable company, earning -6. 0% net margin versus -8. 3% for BGSF, Inc. — meaning it keeps -6. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KELYA leads at -1. 6% versus -10. 0% for BGSF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BGSF leads at 34. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — BGSF or KELYA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
BGSF, Inc. (BGSF) offers the highest yield at 40. 1%, versus 3. 2% for Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA).
07Is BGSF or KELYA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, BGSF, Inc.
(BGSF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 95), 40. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BGSF: -16. 5%, KELYA: -33. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between BGSF and KELYA?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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