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CBZ vs FORR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Consulting Services
CBZ vs FORR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Business Services | Consulting Services |
| Market Cap | $1.73B | $125M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.77B | $397M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $154M | $-119M |
| Gross Margin | 12.8% | 64.6% |
| Operating Margin | 8.3% | -20.9% |
| Forward P/E | 8.0x | 8.5x |
| Total Debt | $1.83B | $72M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $57M | $63M |
CBZ vs FORR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ) | 100 | 139.6 | +39.6% |
| Forrester Research,… (FORR) | 100 | 20.8 | -79.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CBZ vs FORR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CBZ carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.65
- Rev growth 52.1%, EPS growth 134.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 25.0%
- 210.4% 10Y total return vs FORR's -75.9%
FORR is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- -35.7% vs CBZ's -55.5%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 52.1% revenue growth vs FORR's -8.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.0x vs 8.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 5.6% margin vs FORR's -30.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.65 vs FORR's 0.68 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -35.7% vs CBZ's -55.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.4% ROA vs FORR's -28.2%, ROIC 4.9% vs 0.8% |
CBZ vs FORR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CBZ vs FORR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CBZ leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CBZ is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.8B annually — 7.0x FORR's $397M. CBZ is the more profitable business, keeping 5.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to FORR's -30.1%. On growth, CBZ holds the edge at +1.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.8B | $397M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $328M | -$66M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $154M | -$119M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $239M | $18M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +12.8% | +64.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.3% | -20.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +5.6% | -30.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +8.6% | +4.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.3% | -6.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +37.7% | -79.1% |
Valuation Metrics
FORR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, FORR's 8.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CBZ's 10.6x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.7B | $125M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.5B | $134M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 17.28x | -1.04x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.98x | 8.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.23x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.55x | 8.00x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.63x | 0.32x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.14x | 0.98x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9.88x | 6.92x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CBZ leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CBZ delivers a 8.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $-81 for FORR. FORR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.57x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CBZ's 1.04x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CBZ scores 8/9 vs FORR's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.3% | -80.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.4% | -28.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.9% | +0.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.1% | +0.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.04x | 0.57x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.8B | $9M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $57M | $63M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.8B | $72M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.76x | -30.30x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CBZ leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CBZ five years ago would be worth $9,058 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,413 for FORR. Over the past 12 months, FORR leads with a -35.7% total return vs CBZ's -55.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CBZ at -14.3% vs FORR's -36.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -37.7% | -19.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -55.5% | -35.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -37.1% | -74.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -9.4% | -85.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +210.4% | -75.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -14.3% | -36.6% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CBZ and FORR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CBZ is the less volatile stock with a 0.65 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than FORR's 0.68 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. FORR currently trades 56.4% from its 52-week high vs CBZ's 40.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.65x | 0.68x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $77.91 | $11.57 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $24.30 | $4.88 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +40.6% | +56.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.9 | 51.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 109K |
Analyst Outlook
FORR leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CBZ as "Buy" and FORR as "Hold".
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $39.50 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +9.2% | +2.0% |
CBZ leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). FORR leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
CBZ vs FORR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CBZ or FORR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) is the stronger pick with 52. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -8. 2% for Forrester Research, Inc. (FORR). CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ) offers the better valuation at 17. 3x trailing P/E (8. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ) a "Buy" — based on 2 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 has the better valuation — CBZ or FORR?
On forward P/E, CBIZ, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 8. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CBZ or FORR?
Over the past 5 years, CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) delivered a total return of -9. 4%, compared to -85. 9% for Forrester Research, Inc. (FORR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CBZ returned +210. 4% versus FORR's -75. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CBZ or FORR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 65β versus Forrester Research, Inc. 's 0. 68β — meaning FORR is approximately 5% more volatile than CBZ relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Forrester Research, Inc. (FORR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 57% versus 104% for CBIZ, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CBZ or FORR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) is pulling ahead at 52. 1% versus -8. 2% for Forrester Research, Inc. (FORR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CBIZ, Inc. grew EPS 134. 6% year-over-year, compared to -1993. 3% for Forrester Research, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CBZ leads at 25. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — CBZ or FORR?
CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 2% net margin versus -30. 1% for Forrester Research, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CBZ leads at 8. 5% versus 0. 5% for FORR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FORR leads at 53. 3%, 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.
07Is CBZ or FORR more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) trades at 8. 0x forward P/E versus 8. 5x for Forrester Research, Inc. — 0. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CBZ or FORR?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is CBZ or FORR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CBIZ, Inc.
(CBZ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 65), +210. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CBZ: +210. 4%, FORR: -75. 9%), 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.
10What are the main differences between CBZ and FORR?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CBZ is a small-cap high-growth stock; FORR is a small-cap quality compounder stock. 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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