NRC vs QNST

For growth investors, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) is the stronger pick with 78. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 0% for National Research Corporation (NRC). National Research Corporation (NRC) offers the better valuation at 37. 6x trailing P/E (22. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST) a "Buy" — based on 13 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, National Research Corporation (NRC) is the cheapest at 37.

6x versus QuinStreet, Inc. at 155. 1x. On forward P/E, QuinStreet, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) delivered a total return of -31. 7%, compared to -52. 0% for National Research Corporation (NRC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QNST returned +238. 4% versus NRC's +91. 8%. 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), National Research Corporation (NRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

80β versus QuinStreet, Inc. 's 1. 16β — meaning QNST is approximately 45% more volatile than NRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 6% for National Research Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(QNST) is pulling ahead at 78. 3% versus -4. 0% for National Research Corporation (NRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: QuinStreet, Inc. grew EPS 114. 2% year-over-year, compared to -50. 0% for National Research Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, QNST leads at 23. 4% 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.

National Research Corporation (NRC) is the more profitable company, earning 8.

4% net margin versus 0. 4% for QuinStreet, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NRC leads at 16. 4% versus 0. 6% for QNST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NRC leads at 56. 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.

On forward earnings alone, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) trades at 10. 3x forward P/E versus 22. 2x for National Research Corporation — 11. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, NRC (2.

5% yield) pays a dividend. QNST does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

80), 2. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NRC: +91. 8%, QNST: +238. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (NRC (Healthcare) and QNST (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: NRC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; QNST is a small-cap high-growth stock. NRC pays a dividend while QNST 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.