WallStSmart

First Advantage Corp (FA)vsGlobal Payments Inc (GPN)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Global Payments Inc generates 452% more annual revenue ($8.86B vs $1.61B). FA leads profitability with a 0.5% profit margin vs -8.0%. GPN trades at a lower P/E of 28.6x. GPN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).

FA

Hold

37

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 6.0Profit: 4.5Value: 5.7Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.87

GPN

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.7Profit: 3.5Value: 8.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.02
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

FAUndervalued (+45.1%)

Margin of Safety

+45.1%

Fair Value

$19.98

Current Price

$20.05

$0.07 discount

UndervaluedFair: $19.98Overvalued
GPNUndervalued (+40.2%)

Margin of Safety

+40.2%

Fair Value

$120.72

Current Price

$88.27

$32.45 discount

UndervaluedFair: $120.72Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

FA1 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
Price/BookValuation
2.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

GPN3 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.2210/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
63.1%10/10

Revenue surging 63.1% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

FA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
0.7%3/10

ROE of 0.7% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
0.5%3/10

0.5% margin — thin

Debt/EquityHealth
1.603/10

Elevated debt levels

P/E RatioValuation
446.0x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

GPN4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
28.6x4/10

Moderate valuation

Return on EquityProfitability
-3.0%2/10

ROE of -3.0% — below average capital efficiency

EPS GrowthGrowth
-59.2%2/10

Earnings declined 59.2%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-550.16M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : FA

The strongest argument for FA centers on Price/Book.

Bull Case : GPN

The strongest argument for GPN centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 63.1% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.22 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : FA

The primary concerns for FA are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Debt/Equity. A P/E of 446.0x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 1.60 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : GPN

The primary concerns for GPN are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

FA profiles as a value stock while GPN is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

FA carries more volatility with a beta of 1.19 — expect wider price swings.

GPN is growing revenue faster at 63.1% — sustainability is the question.

FA generates stronger free cash flow (47M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

GPN scores higher overall (59/100 vs 37/100) and 63.1% revenue growth. FA offers better value entry with a 45.1% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

First Advantage Corp

INDUSTRIALS · SPECIALTY BUSINESS SERVICES · USA

First Advantage Corporation provides technology solutions for human capital detection, verification, security and compliance globally. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Global Payments Inc

INDUSTRIALS · SPECIALTY BUSINESS SERVICES · USA

Global Payments Inc. is an American company providing financial technology services globally headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

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