SXI vs KFRC vs CW vs KELYA

For growth investors, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the stronger pick with 12.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 4% for Kforce Inc. (KFRC). Kforce Inc. (KFRC) offers the better valuation at 22. 1x trailing P/E (18. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Standex International Corporation (SXI) a "Buy" — based on 10 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, Kforce Inc.

(KFRC) is the cheapest at 22. 1x versus Standex International Corporation at 57. 8x. On forward P/E, Kelly Services, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11. 0x — 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: Curtiss-Wright Corporation wins at 2. 20x versus Standex International Corporation's 4. 40x.

Over the past 5 years, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) delivered a total return of +449.

0%, compared to -58. 3% for Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CW returned +815. 8% versus KELYA's -33. 0%. 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), Kforce Inc.

(KFRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 53β versus Standex International Corporation's 1. 40β — meaning SXI is approximately 165% more volatile than KFRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 82% for Standex International Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is pulling ahead at 12.

1% versus -5. 4% for Kforce Inc. (KFRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Curtiss-Wright Corporation grew EPS 22. 0% year-over-year, compared to -427. 4% for Kelly Services, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CW leads at 11. 0% 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.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the more profitable company, earning 13.

8% net margin versus -6. 0% for Kelly Services, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CW leads at 18. 2% versus -1. 6% for KELYA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SXI leads at 38. 0%, 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, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 20x versus Standex International Corporation's 4. 40x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) trades at 11. 0x forward P/E versus 48. 0x for Curtiss-Wright Corporation — 37. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KFRC: 64. 3% to $71. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Kforce Inc. (KFRC) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 0. 1% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Kforce Inc.

(KFRC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 53), 3. 6% yield, +195. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KFRC: +195. 5%, SXI: +247. 8%), 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.

In terms of investment character: SXI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; KFRC is a small-cap income-oriented stock; CW is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; KELYA is a small-cap income-oriented stock. KFRC, KELYA pay a dividend while SXI, CW 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.