IIIV vs CSGS vs ALKT vs EVTC vs JKHY

For growth investors, Alkami Technology, Inc.

(ALKT) is the stronger pick with 32. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 3% for i3 Verticals, Inc. (IIIV). EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC) offers the better valuation at 10. 9x trailing P/E (6. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate i3 Verticals, Inc. (IIIV) a "Buy" — based on 14 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, EVERTEC, Inc.

(EVTC) is the cheapest at 10. 9x versus CSG Systems International, Inc. at 40. 6x. On forward P/E, EVERTEC, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: EVERTEC, Inc. wins at 0. 68x versus CSG Systems International, Inc. 's 9. 33x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, CSG Systems International, Inc.

(CSGS) delivered a total return of +87. 5%, compared to -53. 8% for Alkami Technology, Inc. (ALKT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSGS returned +114. 6% versus ALKT's -58. 2%. 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), Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

(JKHY) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 21β versus Alkami Technology, Inc. 's 1. 23β — meaning ALKT is approximately 479% more volatile than JKHY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, i3 Verticals, Inc. (IIIV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 2% for CSG Systems International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Alkami Technology, Inc.

(ALKT) is pulling ahead at 32. 9% versus -7. 3% for i3 Verticals, Inc. (IIIV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: EVERTEC, Inc. grew EPS 27. 2% year-over-year, compared to -87. 9% for i3 Verticals, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ALKT leads at 29. 5% 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.

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

(JKHY) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 2% net margin versus -10. 7% for Alkami Technology, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CSGS leads at 24. 5% versus -12. 1% for ALKT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ALKT leads at 57. 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.

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, EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 68x versus CSG Systems International, Inc. 's 9. 33x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC) trades at 6. 1x forward P/E versus 23. 0x for Alkami Technology, Inc. — 16. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EVTC: 41. 6% to $34. 00.

In this comparison, CSGS (1.

6% yield), JKHY (1. 5% yield), EVTC (0. 8% yield) pay a dividend. IIIV, ALKT do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

(JKHY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 21), 1. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JKHY: +94. 7%, ALKT: -58. 2%), 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 Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: IIIV is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CSGS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ALKT is a small-cap high-growth stock; EVTC is a small-cap deep-value stock; JKHY is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. CSGS, EVTC, JKHY pay a dividend while IIIV, ALKT 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.