CSGS vs JKHY vs CSGP vs EVTC

For growth investors, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the stronger pick with 18. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 2% for CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSGS). EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC) offers the better valuation at 10. 6x trailing P/E (6. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSGS) a "Buy" — based on 15 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, EVERTEC, Inc.

(EVTC) is the cheapest at 10. 6x versus CoStar Group, Inc. at 2107. 2x. On forward P/E, EVERTEC, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: EVERTEC, Inc. wins at 0. 66x versus CSG Systems International, Inc. 's 9. 33x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, CSG Systems International, Inc.

(CSGS) delivered a total return of +89. 4%, compared to -58. 9% for CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSGS returned +114. 6% versus CSGP's +77. 5%. 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), Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

(JKHY) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 28β versus CoStar Group, Inc. 's 0. 80β — meaning CSGP is approximately 180% more volatile than JKHY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 14% versus 2% for CSG Systems International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is pulling ahead at 18. 7% versus 2. 2% for CSG Systems International, Inc. (CSGS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: EVERTEC, Inc. grew EPS 27. 2% year-over-year, compared to -95. 1% for CoStar Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EVTC leads at 14. 6% 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.

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

(JKHY) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 2% net margin versus 0. 2% for CoStar Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CSGS leads at 24. 5% versus -2. 2% for CSGP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CSGP leads at 75. 2%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 66x versus CSG Systems International, Inc. 's 9. 33x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC) trades at 6. 0x forward P/E versus 25. 8x for CoStar Group, Inc. — 19. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSGP: 77. 0% to $61. 91.

In this comparison, CSGS (1.

6% yield), JKHY (1. 5% yield), EVTC (0. 8% yield) pay a dividend. CSGP does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

(JKHY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 28), 1. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JKHY: +94. 9%, CSGP: +77. 5%), 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 (CSGS (Technology) and JKHY (Technology) and CSGP (Real Estate) and EVTC (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CSGS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; JKHY is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CSGP is a mid-cap high-growth stock; EVTC is a small-cap deep-value stock. CSGS, JKHY, EVTC pay a dividend while CSGP 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.