TBRG vs HCKT vs MTEX

For growth investors, TruBridge, Inc.

(TBRG) is the stronger pick with 1. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -10. 7% for Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX). Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX) offers the better valuation at 4. 2x trailing P/E, 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, Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX) is the cheapest at 4.

2x versus TruBridge, Inc. at 89. 1x. On forward P/E, The Hackett Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, TruBridge, Inc.

(TBRG) delivered a total return of -14. 6%, compared to -55. 7% for Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HCKT returned -3. 5% versus TBRG's -35. 9%. 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), Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

36β versus TruBridge, Inc. 's 0. 93β — meaning TBRG is approximately 156% more volatile than MTEX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 78% versus 117% for The Hackett Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(TBRG) is pulling ahead at 1. 2% versus -10. 7% for Mannatech, Incorporated (MTEX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Mannatech, Incorporated grew EPS 210. 0% year-over-year, compared to -55. 2% for The Hackett Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TBRG leads at 2. 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.

The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 2% net margin versus 1. 3% for TruBridge, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TBRG leads at 9. 7% versus 1. 2% for MTEX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MTEX leads at 77. 6%, 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, The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) trades at 7. 2x forward P/E versus 10. 2x for TruBridge, Inc. — 3. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HCKT: 53. 6% to $16. 50.

In this comparison, HCKT (4.

4% yield) pays a dividend. TBRG, MTEX do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, The Hackett Group, Inc.

(HCKT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 80), 4. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HCKT: -3. 5%, TBRG: -35. 9%), 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 (TBRG (Healthcare) and HCKT (Technology) and MTEX (Consumer Defensive)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: TBRG is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HCKT is a small-cap income-oriented stock; MTEX is a small-cap deep-value stock. HCKT pays a dividend while TBRG, MTEX 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.