FSV vs CWK

For growth investors, Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) is the stronger pick with 8.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 8% for FirstService Corporation (FSV). Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) offers the better valuation at 38. 2x trailing P/E (10. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate FirstService Corporation (FSV) a "Buy" — based on 9 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, Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) is the cheapest at 38.

2x versus FirstService Corporation at 39. 8x. On forward P/E, Cushman & Wakefield plc is actually cheaper at 10. 1x.

Over the past 5 years, Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) delivered a total return of -17.

1%, compared to -20. 0% for FirstService Corporation (FSV). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FSV returned +196. 4% versus CWK's -18. 4%. 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), FirstService Corporation (FSV) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

64β versus Cushman & Wakefield plc's 1. 90β — meaning CWK is approximately 199% more volatile than FSV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, FirstService Corporation (FSV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 87% versus 166% for Cushman & Wakefield plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) is pulling ahead at 8.

9% versus 5. 8% for FirstService Corporation (FSV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FirstService Corporation grew EPS 6. 4% year-over-year, compared to -32. 1% for Cushman & Wakefield plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, FSV leads at 13. 8% 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.

FirstService Corporation (FSV) is the more profitable company, earning 2.

6% net margin versus 0. 9% for Cushman & Wakefield plc — meaning it keeps 2. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FSV leads at 6. 1% versus 4. 5% for CWK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FSV leads at 31. 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, Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) trades at 10.

1x forward P/E versus 20. 5x for FirstService Corporation — 10. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FSV: 61. 5% to $203. 00.

In this comparison, FSV (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. CWK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, FirstService Corporation (FSV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

64), 0. 8% yield, +196. 4% 10Y return). Cushman & Wakefield plc (CWK) carries a higher beta of 1. 90 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (FSV: +196. 4%, CWK: -18. 4%), 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 Real Estate sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

FSV pays a dividend while CWK 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.