DAVA vs KFRC vs EXLS vs ASGN

For growth investors, ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) is the stronger pick with 13. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 4% for Kforce Inc. (KFRC). ASGN Incorporated (ASGN) offers the better valuation at 8. 1x trailing P/E (5. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ExlService Holdings, Inc. (EXLS) a "Buy" — based on 19 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, ASGN Incorporated (ASGN) is the cheapest at 8.

1x versus Kforce Inc. at 22. 2x. On forward P/E, Endava plc is actually cheaper at 4. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) delivered a total return of +58. 5%, compared to -95. 4% for Endava plc (DAVA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EXLS returned +218. 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 65% for ASGN Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) is pulling ahead at 13. 6% versus -5. 4% for Kforce Inc. (KFRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ExlService Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 27. 3% year-over-year, compared to -32. 1% for ASGN Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, EXLS leads at 13. 9% 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.

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

(EXLS) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 0% net margin versus 2. 6% for Kforce Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EXLS leads at 15. 0% versus 3. 8% for KFRC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EXLS leads at 38. 4%, 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: 190. 6% to $12. 00.

In this comparison, KFRC (3.

6% yield) pays a dividend. DAVA, EXLS, ASGN do 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) and EXLS (Technology) and ASGN (Technology)), 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; EXLS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ASGN is a small-cap deep-value stock. KFRC pays a dividend while DAVA, EXLS, ASGN do 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.