HCKT vs ICFI

For growth investors, The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) is the stronger pick with -2. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 3% for ICF International, Inc. (ICFI). ICF International, Inc. (ICFI) offers the better valuation at 14. 1x trailing P/E (9. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) a "Buy" — based on 5 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, ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the cheapest at 14. 1x versus The Hackett Group, Inc. at 22. 9x. On forward P/E, The Hackett Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: The Hackett Group, Inc. wins at 0. 32x versus ICF International, Inc. 's 0. 86x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) delivered a total return of -21. 6%, compared to -22. 9% for The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ICFI returned +88. 1% versus HCKT's -3. 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), ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus The Hackett Group, Inc. 's 0. 80β — meaning HCKT is approximately 43% more volatile than ICFI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, ICF International, Inc. (ICFI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 56% versus 117% for The Hackett Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(HCKT) is pulling ahead at -2. 6% versus -7. 3% for ICF International, Inc. (ICFI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ICF International, Inc. grew EPS -14. 9% year-over-year, compared to -55. 2% for The Hackett Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ICFI leads at 1. 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.

ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 9% net margin versus 4. 2% for The Hackett Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HCKT leads at 8. 7% versus 8. 1% for ICFI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HCKT leads at 38. 3%, 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, The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 32x versus ICF International, Inc. 's 0. 86x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) trades at 7. 2x forward P/E versus 9. 9x for ICF International, Inc. — 2. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HCKT: 53. 6% to $16. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

The Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) offers the highest yield at 4. 4%, versus 0. 8% for ICF International, Inc. (ICFI).

For long-horizon retirement investors, ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 56), 0. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ICFI: +88. 1%, HCKT: -3. 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 (HCKT (Technology) and ICFI (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: HCKT is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ICFI is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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.