CCRN
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
Medical - Care Facilities
Market Cap$326M
5Y Perf.+66.6%
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Stock Comparison
CCRN vs HCSG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
HCSG
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
Medical - Care Facilities
Market Cap$1.58B
5Y Perf.-7.7%
CCRN vs HCSG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CCRN | HCSG |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Care Facilities | Medical - Care Facilities |
| Market Cap | $326M | $1.58B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.05B | $1.84B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-95M | $59M |
| Gross Margin | 18.7% | 13.3% |
| Operating Margin | -0.3% | 3.0% |
| Forward P/E | 103.4x | 20.6x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $25M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $109M | $161M |
CCRN vs HCSG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CCRN
HCSG
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Country Healt… (CCRN) | 100 | 166.6 | +66.6% |
| Healthcare Services… (HCSG) | 100 | 92.3 | -7.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CCRN vs HCSG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: HCSG leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CCRN
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
The Income Pick
CCRN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.78
- Lower volatility, beta 0.78, Low D/E 0.7%, current ratio 3.78x
- Beta 0.78, current ratio 3.78x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
HCSG
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
The Growth Play
HCSG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 7.1%, EPS growth 52.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.8%
- -27.0% 10Y total return vs CCRN's -28.1%
- 7.1% revenue growth vs CCRN's -21.6%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HCSG | 7.1% revenue growth vs CCRN's -21.6% |
| Value | HCSG | Lower P/E (20.6x vs 103.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | HCSG | 3.2% margin vs CCRN's -9.0% |
| Stability / Safety | CCRN | Beta 0.78 vs HCSG's 1.12, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | HCSG | +53.4% vs CCRN's -26.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | HCSG | 7.3% ROA vs CCRN's -17.9%, ROIC 9.0% vs -0.9% |
CCRN vs HCSG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
CCRN vs HCSG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLHCSGLAGGINGCCRN
CCRNCross Country Healthc…
1leads
HCSGHealthcare Services G…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CCRNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
HCSG5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CCRN5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
HCSG7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
HCSG6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
HCSG1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HCSG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HCSG is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.8B annually — 1.7x CCRN's $1.1B. HCSG is the more profitable business, keeping 3.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CCRN's -9.0%. On growth, HCSG holds the edge at +6.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | HCSGHealthcare Servic… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $1.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $13M | $72M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$95M | $59M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $42M | $139M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +18.7% | +13.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.3% | +3.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -9.0% | +3.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.0% | +7.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -23.6% | +6.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -20.3% | +175.0% |
HCSG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CCRN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CCRN's 16.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HCSG's 22.1x.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | HCSGHealthcare Servic… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $326M | $1.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $220M | $1.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -3.45x | 27.25x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 103.37x | 20.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.49x | 22.12x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.31x | 0.86x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.01x | 3.16x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.76x | 11.36x |
CCRN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HCSG leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HCSG delivers a 11.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $-24 for CCRN. CCRN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HCSG's 0.05x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HCSG scores 7/9 vs CCRN's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | HCSGHealthcare Servic… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -24.3% | +11.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -17.9% | +7.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.9% | +9.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.8% | +7.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.01x | 0.05x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$106M | -$136M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $109M | $161M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $25M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.56x | 33.02x |
HCSG leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HCSG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HCSG five years ago would be worth $7,863 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,276 for CCRN. Over the past 12 months, HCSG leads with a +53.4% total return vs CCRN's -26.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HCSG at 13.7% vs CCRN's -24.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | HCSGHealthcare Servic… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +25.4% | +27.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -26.6% | +53.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -57.0% | +47.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -37.2% | -21.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -28.1% | -27.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -24.5% | +13.7% |
HCSG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CCRN and HCSG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CCRN is the less volatile stock with a 0.78 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HCSG's 1.12 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HCSG currently trades 90.5% from its 52-week high vs CCRN's 67.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | HCSGHealthcare Servic… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.78x | 1.12x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.99 | $24.39 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.43 | $12.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +67.4% | +90.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 67.4 | 59.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 451K | 676K |
Evenly matched — CCRN and HCSG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
HCSG leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CCRN as "Hold" and HCSG as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 11.0% upside for HCSG (target: $25) vs 4.9% for CCRN (target: $11).
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | HCSGHealthcare Servic… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.61 | $24.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 20 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.9% |
HCSG leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
HCSG leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CCRN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallHealthcare Services Group, … (HCSG)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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CCRN vs HCSG: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CCRN or HCSG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
(HCSG) is the stronger pick with 7. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (HCSG) offers the better valuation at 27. 2x trailing P/E (20. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN) a "Hold" — based on 14 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 — CCRN or HCSG?
On forward P/E, Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 20. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CCRN or HCSG?
Over the past 5 years, Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
(HCSG) delivered a total return of -21. 4%, compared to -37. 2% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HCSG returned -27. 0% versus CCRN's -28. 1%. 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 — CCRN or HCSG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
(CCRN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 78β versus Healthcare Services Group, Inc. 's 1. 12β — meaning HCSG is approximately 44% more volatile than CCRN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 5% for Healthcare Services Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CCRN or HCSG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
(HCSG) is pulling ahead at 7. 1% versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Healthcare Services Group, Inc. grew EPS 52. 8% year-over-year, compared to -565. 9% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HCSG leads at 2. 8% 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 — CCRN or HCSG?
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
(HCSG) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 2% net margin versus -9. 0% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HCSG leads at 2. 6% versus -0. 3% for CCRN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CCRN leads at 18. 7%, 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 CCRN or HCSG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
(HCSG) trades at 20. 6x forward P/E versus 103. 4x for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. — 82. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HCSG: 11. 0% to $24. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — CCRN or HCSG?
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 CCRN or HCSG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
(CCRN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 78)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CCRN: -28. 1%, HCSG: -27. 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.
10What are the main differences between CCRN and HCSG?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare 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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