CCRN
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
Medical - Care Facilities
Market Cap$326M
5Y Perf.+66.6%
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Stock Comparison
CCRN vs KELYA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KELYA
Kelly Services, Inc.
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$345M
5Y Perf.-34.7%
CCRN vs KELYA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CCRN | KELYA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Care Facilities | Staffing & Employment Services |
| Market Cap | $326M | $345M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.05B | $4.25B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-95M | $-254M |
| Gross Margin | 18.7% | 20.1% |
| Operating Margin | -0.3% | -1.6% |
| Forward P/E | 103.4x | 11.1x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $159M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $109M | $33M |
CCRN vs KELYA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CCRN
KELYA
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Country Healt… (CCRN) | 100 | 166.6 | +66.6% |
| Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) | 100 | 65.3 | -34.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CCRN vs KELYA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KELYA leads in 6 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. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
CCRN
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
The Income Pick
CCRN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.78
- -28.1% 10Y total return vs KELYA's -33.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.78, Low D/E 0.7%, current ratio 3.78x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
KELYA
Kelly Services, Inc.
The Growth Play
KELYA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth -1.9%, EPS growth -427.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -5.0%
- -1.9% revenue growth vs CCRN's -21.6%
- Lower P/E (11.1x vs 103.4x)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KELYA | -1.9% revenue growth vs CCRN's -21.6% |
| Value | KELYA | Lower P/E (11.1x vs 103.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | KELYA | -6.0% margin vs CCRN's -9.0% |
| Stability / Safety | CCRN | Beta 0.78 vs KELYA's 1.01, lower leverage |
| Dividends | KELYA | 3.2% yield; 5-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | KELYA | -12.0% vs CCRN's -26.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KELYA | -11.3% ROA vs CCRN's -17.9%, ROIC -4.0% vs -0.9% |
CCRN vs KELYA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
CCRN vs KELYA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKELYALAGGINGCCRN
CCRNCross Country Healthc…
2leads
KELYAKelly Services, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CCRNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KELYA4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
KELYA4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CCRN8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CCRN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
KELYA1/1
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 — 4.0x CCRN's $1.1B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -6.0% (KELYA) to -9.0% (CCRN). On growth, KELYA holds the edge at -11.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $4.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $13M | -$27M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$95M | -$254M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $42M | $114M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +18.7% | +20.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.3% | -1.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -9.0% | -6.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.0% | +2.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -23.6% | -11.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -20.3% | -3.2% |
KELYA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
KELYA leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $326M | $345M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $220M | $471M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -3.45x | -1.35x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 103.37x | 11.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.49x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.31x | 0.08x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.01x | 0.35x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.76x | 3.02x |
KELYA leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CCRN leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CCRN delivers a -24.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-24 in annual profit, vs $-26 for KELYA. CCRN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KELYA's 0.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CCRN scores 6/9 vs KELYA's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -24.3% | -26.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -17.9% | -11.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.9% | -4.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.8% | -4.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.01x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$106M | $126M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $109M | $33M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $159M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.56x | -5.02x |
CCRN leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — CCRN and KELYA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CCRN five years ago would be worth $6,276 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,202 for KELYA. Over the past 12 months, KELYA leads with a -12.0% total return vs CCRN's -26.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KELYA at -12.8% vs CCRN's -24.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +25.4% | +14.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -26.6% | -12.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -57.0% | -33.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -37.2% | -58.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -28.1% | -33.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -24.5% | -12.8% |
Evenly matched — CCRN and KELYA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CCRN leads this category, winning 2 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 KELYA's 1.01 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.78x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.99 | $14.94 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.43 | $7.98 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +67.4% | +65.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 67.4 | 65.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 451K | 352K |
CCRN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
KELYA leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CCRN as "Hold" and KELYA as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 53.2% upside for KELYA (target: $15) vs 4.9% for CCRN (target: $11). KELYA is the only dividend payer here at 3.20% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | CCRNCross Country Hea… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.61 | $15.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.31 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.6% |
KELYA leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
KELYA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). CCRN leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallKelly Services, Inc. (KELYA)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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CCRN vs KELYA: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CCRN 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 -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). 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 — CCRN or KELYA?
Over the past 5 years, Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
(CCRN) delivered a total return of -37. 2%, compared to -58. 0% for Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CCRN returned -28. 1% 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 — CCRN or KELYA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
(CCRN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 78β versus Kelly Services, Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning KELYA is approximately 30% 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 16% for Kelly Services, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — CCRN or KELYA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) is pulling ahead at -1. 9% versus -21. 6% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (CCRN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. grew EPS -565. 9% 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 — CCRN or KELYA?
Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) is the more profitable company, earning -6. 0% net margin versus -9. 0% for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. — meaning it keeps -6. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CCRN leads at -0. 3% versus -1. 6% for KELYA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KELYA leads at 20. 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.
06Is CCRN or KELYA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) trades at 11. 1x forward P/E versus 103. 4x for Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. — 92. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KELYA: 53. 2% to $15. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — CCRN or KELYA?
In this comparison, KELYA (3.
2% yield) pays a dividend. CCRN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is CCRN or KELYA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Kelly Services, Inc.
(KELYA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 01), 3. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KELYA: -33. 2%, CCRN: -28. 1%), 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.
09What are the main differences between CCRN and KELYA?
These companies operate in different sectors (CCRN (Healthcare) and KELYA (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: CCRN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; KELYA is a small-cap income-oriented stock. KELYA pays a dividend while CCRN 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.
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