TBRG vs HCKT

For growth investors, TruBridge, Inc.

(TBRG) is the stronger pick with 1. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 6% for The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT). The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) offers the better valuation at 24. 3x trailing P/E (6. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) 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.

On trailing P/E, The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) is the cheapest at 24. 3x versus TruBridge, Inc. at 88. 9x. On forward P/E, The Hackett Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 9x.

Over the past 5 years, TruBridge, Inc.

(TBRG) delivered a total return of -17. 4%, compared to -18. 8% for The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HCKT returned +0. 9% versus TBRG's -36. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), TruBridge, Inc.

(TBRG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 94β versus The Hackett Group, Inc. 's 1. 10β — meaning HCKT is approximately 16% more volatile than TBRG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, TruBridge, Inc. (TBRG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 94% versus 117% for The Hackett Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), TruBridge, Inc.

(TBRG) is pulling ahead at 1. 2% versus -2. 6% for The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: TruBridge, Inc. grew EPS 121. 0% year-over-year, compared to -55. 2% for The Hackett Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TBRG leads at 2. 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.

The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 2% net margin versus 1. 3% for TruBridge, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TBRG leads at 9. 7% versus 8. 7% for HCKT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TBRG leads at 45. 4%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) trades at 6. 9x forward P/E versus 10. 1x for TruBridge, Inc. — 3. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HCKT: 79. 7% to $20. 50.

In this comparison, HCKT (4.

1% yield) pays a dividend. TBRG does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 10), 4. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HCKT: +0. 9%, TBRG: -36. 0%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (TBRG (Healthcare) and HCKT (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: TBRG is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HCKT is a small-cap income-oriented stock. HCKT pays a dividend while TBRG does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.