DAVA vs KFRC

For growth investors, Endava plc (DAVA) is the stronger pick with 4.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 4% for Kforce Inc. (KFRC). Endava plc (DAVA) offers the better valuation at 8. 5x trailing P/E (4. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Endava plc (DAVA) a "Hold" — based on 16 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, Endava plc (DAVA) is the cheapest at 8.

5x versus Kforce Inc. at 22. 1x. On forward P/E, Endava plc is actually cheaper at 4. 9x.

Over the past 5 years, Kforce Inc.

(KFRC) delivered a total return of -16. 8%, compared to -95. 4% for Endava plc (DAVA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KFRC returned +196. 8% versus DAVA's -83. 6%. 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), Kforce Inc.

(KFRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 46β versus Endava plc's 1. 77β — meaning DAVA is approximately 284% more volatile than KFRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Endava plc (DAVA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 39% versus 56% for Kforce Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Endava plc (DAVA) is pulling ahead at 4.

3% versus -5. 4% for Kforce Inc. (KFRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Endava plc grew EPS 24. 1% year-over-year, compared to -25. 2% for Kforce Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, DAVA leads at 5. 7% 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.

Endava plc (DAVA) is the more profitable company, earning 2.

7% net margin versus 2. 6% for Kforce Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DAVA leads at 4. 1% versus 3. 8% for KFRC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KFRC leads at 26. 8%, 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, Endava plc (DAVA) trades at 4.

9x forward P/E versus 18. 1x for Kforce Inc. — 13. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DAVA: 189. 9% to $12. 00.

In this comparison, KFRC (3.

6% yield) pays a dividend. DAVA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Kforce Inc.

(KFRC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 46), 3. 6% yield, +196. 8% 10Y return). Endava plc (DAVA) carries a higher beta of 1. 77 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (KFRC: +196. 8%, DAVA: -83. 6%), 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 (DAVA (Technology) and KFRC (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: DAVA is a small-cap deep-value stock; KFRC is a small-cap income-oriented stock. KFRC pays a dividend while DAVA 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.