EXPO vs FCN

For growth investors, Exponent, Inc.

(EXPO) is the stronger pick with 4. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 4% for FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN). FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) offers the better valuation at 19. 6x trailing P/E (17. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) a "Buy" — based on 8 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, FTI Consulting, Inc.

(FCN) is the cheapest at 19. 6x versus Exponent, Inc. at 30. 6x. On forward P/E, FTI Consulting, Inc. is actually cheaper at 17. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: FTI Consulting, Inc. wins at 2. 23x versus Exponent, Inc. 's 5. 18x.

Over the past 5 years, FTI Consulting, Inc.

(FCN) delivered a total return of +12. 6%, compared to -28. 5% for Exponent, Inc. (EXPO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FCN returned +294. 4% versus EXPO's +186. 1%. 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), FTI Consulting, Inc.

(FCN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 09β versus Exponent, Inc. 's 0. 89β — meaning EXPO is approximately 890% more volatile than FCN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 34% for FTI Consulting, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Exponent, Inc.

(EXPO) is pulling ahead at 4. 2% versus 2. 4% for FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FTI Consulting, Inc. grew EPS 5. 5% year-over-year, compared to -1. 9% for Exponent, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FCN leads at 7. 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.

Exponent, Inc.

(EXPO) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 2% net margin versus 7. 1% for FTI Consulting, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EXPO leads at 20. 6% versus 10. 9% for FCN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FCN leads at 32. 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.

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, FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 23x versus Exponent, Inc. 's 5. 18x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) trades at 17. 3x forward P/E versus 30. 9x for Exponent, Inc. — 13. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EXPO: 34. 0% to $85. 00.

In this comparison, EXPO (1.

9% yield) pays a dividend. FCN does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, FTI Consulting, Inc.

(FCN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 09), +294. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FCN: +294. 4%, EXPO: +186. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

EXPO pays a dividend while FCN 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.