Hirequest Inc (HQI) fair value: what the stock is really worth
As of Nov 6, 2026: fair value (intrinsic value) of Hirequest Inc stock $8.06, price $17.59, that is 54.2% below the price, quality 77 out of 100. Rating: strongly overvalued. Calculated from audited financials with 24 of our 26 valuation models and 37 quality factors, updated daily.
69 individual criteria per stock, every one traceableSee the method →
Price vs Fair Value
White line = price, green steps = our fair value per fiscal year. As of Nov 6, 2026.
How to read this chart
60‑month range $7.52 – $26.91 · fair‑value band $6.54 – $9.82 · the $17.59 price screens above the $8.06 fair value. Green steps = our fair value per fiscal year (point-in-time, no hindsight). As of Nov 6, 2026.
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HireQuest, Inc. provides staffing solutions in the United States.
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The company offers direct-dispatch, executive search, commercial staffing, unskilled and semi-skilled industrial, construction personnel, skilled and semi-skilled industrial personnel, clerical and administrative personnel, permanent placement, commercial and non-CDL drivers, skilled personnel, and executive placement and consultant services.
It offers its services under the HireQuest Direct, HireQuest, Snelling, DriverQuest, HireQuest Health, Northbound Executive Search, and MRI trade names.
The company serves construction, recycling, warehousing, logistics, auctioneering, manufacturing, hospitality, landscaping, and retail industries, as well as dental practices. HireQuest, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Goose Creek, South Carolina.
Stock analysis
Hirequest Inc (HQI) currently trades at $17.59, while our model-based Fair Value estimate is $8.06, 54% below the price, so the stock looks overvalued today.
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Valuation
Bull case: the Multiples group reads highest at a median of $9.94 per share, and 0 of the 24 models we run sit above the $17.59 price.
Bear case: the Dividend Discount group reads lowest at $2.00, and 24 of the 24 models stay below the price. Data coverage for this calculation is high.
Scenario range: $6.54 (bear) to $9.82 (bull), the price of $17.59 sits above it. Bear and bull are the same models on cautious and optimistic assumptions, a range, not a price target.
Quality & growth
The Quality Score stands at 77/100 (high quality), in the Industrials sector.
Mixed Growth: Revenue is growing, but margins or cash flow do not fully confirm the trend.
Hirequest Inc reported revenue of $30.6M in FY2025 versus $22.5M in FY2021, a compound +8.0%/yr. Reported net income was $6.3M in FY2025, compounding −14.5%/yr from FY2021.
Key figures
Market cap $243M Micro · P/E ratio 28.8 · P/S ratio 8.06 · EPS (TTM) $0.6100 · Dividend yield 1.4% · Net margin 27.1% · Return on equity 12.5% · Return on assets (EBIT) 9.9% (5-year average).
Competitive moat
Our AI-assisted moat analysis scores the competitive advantage at 70 out of 100 (low confidence).
What moves the price
The share trades about 12% below its 52-week high and 134% above its 52-week low, currently above its 200-day average.
For context, the median of 10 Industrials peers we cover trades at 14% fair-value upside, at −54%, HQI screens richer than that median.
Fair Value models
Bear$6.54Fair Value $8.06Bull$9.82
Price $17.59 · Downside -54.2%
Model ⓘEach model values the company its own way (discounted cash flow, earnings, assets, dividends). The fair value above starts from their evidence-weighted blend, not from a single model. In cyclical trough or peak years, after dilution or a stock split it is adjusted afterwards, so it can sit above or below the models. Based on fiscal year 2025 figures (about 10 months old). Earnings retained since then ($0.3173 per share) are deliberately not added.Bear ⓘBear = the cautious scenario: the same model computed with conservative anchors (lower growth, margins and valuation multiples). Together with Bull it frames a plausible valuation range, not a price target.BaseBull ⓘBull = the optimistic scenario: the same model computed with favourable anchors (higher growth, margins and valuation multiples). Together with Bear it frames a plausible valuation range, not a price target. If a model's bull case is above four times its base value, the table shows that limit with a > sign (like the overall Bull above): beyond it no assumption holds.Coverage ⓘCoverage = how well-backed THIS model's estimate is for this stock (0–100): how complete and reliable its input data are, and how well the model fits the company. The final Fair Value is an evidence-weighted blend, so better-evidenced models count more. Green ≥70, amber 50–69, grey below 50.
In the last 6 months, one officer or director bought shares worth $13,750, on Jun 3, 2026.
BuyRichard HermannsPresident and CEO, Director, 10% owner3× since Dec 22, 2025: 30,108 shares, avg. $9.63$289,915Jun 3, 2026
Plus 5 other filings such as grants, option exercises or tax withholding. They are not market purchases or sales.
Sales are often planned (taxes, diversification, 10b5-1 plans). Purchases with their own money are seen as the stronger sign. For information only: not part of the quality score or Fair Value.
Growth Quality ⓘGrowth is valuable only when reinvestment earns attractive returns (Aswath Damodaran): sustainable growth depends on return on capital, reinvestment and efficiency. Basis: total company revenue over the periods shown on the cards (3Y/5Y/all years), not per share, so a merger can show up as a growth jump; per-share earnings growth is in the value-creation card.100/100
Revenue is growing, but margins or cash flow do not fully confirm the trend.
Revenue growth 3 years ⓘMeasures the company's TOTAL revenue from reported annual statements: compound average growth per year (CAGR) from the fiscal year 3, 5 or N years back to the most recent comparable fiscal year. Not per share: buybacks do not change this number, and a merger can appear as a growth jump. Per-share growth (which does include buybacks) is in the value-creation card.
+15.4%
Revenue growth 5 years ⓘMeasures the company's TOTAL revenue from reported annual statements: compound average growth per year (CAGR) from the fiscal year 3, 5 or N years back to the most recent comparable fiscal year. Not per share: buybacks do not change this number, and a merger can appear as a growth jump. Per-share growth (which does include buybacks) is in the value-creation card.
+16.9%
Revenue growth 23 years ⓘMeasures the company's TOTAL revenue from reported annual statements: compound average growth per year (CAGR) from the fiscal year 3, 5 or N years back to the most recent comparable fiscal year. Not per share: buybacks do not change this number, and a merger can appear as a growth jump. Per-share growth (which does include buybacks) is in the value-creation card.
+30.0%
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What shareholders gained per year (last 5 years) ⓘWhat the business itself delivers per year: earnings growth per share plus the dividend yield. This is what you get IF the market keeps valuing the stock the same way: it contains no assumption about the market changing its mind. Computed per share, so buybacks count and a merger does not pass as growth. For a company that pays no dividend it is pure earnings growth per share. Period: earnings growth per share as CAGR over the last 5 reported fiscal years (annual statements), plus the current dividend yield. The start value is the median of the three years around the start, so a single crisis year (a pandemic or a write-down) does not distort the rate. Basis: adjusted.
−3.0%
Earnings growth per share plus dividend.
Earnings per share, growth per year−4.4%
Dividend (yield on the price)1.4%
Pace: 5 vs 10 years ⓘTwo data points, not a trend model: earnings growth per share over the last 5 fiscal years against the last 10. Labelled "steady" when both rates are within 3 percentage points of each other, otherwise picking up or flattening. Shown only when ten years of history exist.−6.5% vs 3.5%, slowing
Profit margin 2020 to 2025 ⓘOperating margin then vs now, from reported annual statements. A falling margin after a boom year is the classic peak-earnings signal: the growth rate then leans on an inflated base.36% → 27%
Pace: the 5-year rate starts in 2020 (pandemic)
⚠ Revenue per share shrinking 17.4%/yr over ~10Y (margins intact) ⓘStructural-decline marker: revenue PER SHARE has fallen over the last decade (robust median trend, not a single year). Backtested across 2005 to 2017, such businesses trailed the market by about 2.5 percentage points per year. Display only: it does not change the fair value or the quality score.
Growth Forecast
Price in line with expectations
The price assumes about as much growth as the company has delivered so far.
What the price assumes ⓘThis turns our valuation around: instead of asking what the share is worth, it asks what growth the current price requires. It uses the cash the company keeps after all spending (free cash flow), the same discount rate as our models, five years of growth, then slowing evenly to 2 % a year by year ten. Compared with the analysts' sales forecasts extended to the same five years (at least three analysts, for context only, it does not enter the Fair Value): within 3 percentage points counts as "in line" (amber), below that little optimism (green), above that a lot of optimism (red).
+18.3%
Yearly growth needed for the next five years to justify today's price.
What forecasts expect
n/a
No analyst forecast available.
After inflation (USA: IMF forecast 2.4% a year to 2030, 3.1% from 2016 to 2025) that is about +15.5% a year for the price.
Price, fair value, quality and upside side by side.
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Peer GroupⓘHow this stock ranks against its industry: the green marker is this stock, the band is the typical 25–75% peer range, and the tick is the median.Staffing & Employment Services · 83 stocks
For bloggers, editors and developers: paste this into your site or blog (a “Custom HTML” block in WordPress), it shows the current fair value and links back here. Free, plain HTML, and welcome. Full data streams (CSV/JSON) at /developers.
Cite: Fair Value Calculator (2026). "Hirequest Inc Fair Value". https://www.fairvalue-calculator.com/stock/HQI
Frequently asked questions
Is Hirequest Inc (HQI) overvalued or undervalued?
As of Nov 6, 2026, our model estimates a fair value of $8.06 versus a price of $17.59, about 54% lower (overvalued).
What is the fair value of HQI?
Our model-based fair value for Hirequest Inc is $8.06 (as of Nov 6, 2026), built from audited fundamentals. The current price: $17.59.
What is the quality score of HQI?
Hirequest Inc has a Quality Score of 77/100. It measures business quality (profitability, growth, cash flow, balance-sheet strength, investment discipline, share issuance). Market factors such as price momentum and volatility do not enter the number; they are shown separately in the detail view.
What is the price target for Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Our model-based price target is the fair value of $8.06 (as of Nov 6, 2026) from 24 valuation models. Cautious scenario $6.54, optimistic scenario $9.82. It is a calculation from audited fundamentals, not an analyst target.
What is the Hirequest Inc stock forecast for 2026?
Our models put fair value at $8.06, about 54% lower versus a price of $17.59 (overvalued). Cautious scenario $6.54, optimistic scenario $9.82. The calculation is refreshed regularly with new filings.
What is the revenue of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Hirequest Inc reported trailing-twelve-month revenue of about $30.2M (latest available figure, as of Nov 6, 2026).
Does Hirequest Inc pay a dividend?
Hirequest Inc currently shows a dividend yield of 1.36% relative to its recent price (as of Nov 6, 2026).
How much is the dividend of Hirequest Inc (HQI) and when is the ex-dividend date?
Hirequest Inc pays a dividend of $0.24 per share a year, a dividend yield of 1.4%. The last ex-dividend date was Sep 1, 2026. A dividend has been paid every year since at least 2020. The payout ratio is 39.3% of earnings. Free cash flow covers the dividend 3.60 times. Our assessment: Well covered. A low payout and the dividend is fully funded by free cash flow, a comfortable, sustainable dividend.
What growth is priced into Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
For today's price to be fair in a discounted-cash-flow model, Hirequest Inc would have to grow free cash flow by +18.3 % per year for five years (discount rate 13.3 %, then slowing evenly to 2 % perpetual growth by year ten). Over the last 5 years revenue grew +17.3 % per year. As of Nov 6, 2026.
What discount rate (WACC) does the fair value of HQI use?
Our models discount Hirequest Inc at 13.3 %: a base by market capitalisation (micro), damped by beta 1.17, country premium for USA. The same rate applies in all 26 models.
What is a reverse DCF?
A reverse DCF turns the usual calculation around. Instead of deriving a value from assumptions, it takes today's price as given and asks: what free-cash-flow growth would a company have to deliver for exactly this price to be fair? The result is not a forecast but the expectation already priced in. For Hirequest Inc that is +18.3 % per year for five years, then slowing evenly to 2 % by year ten, using the same discount rate (13.3 %) and the same formula as our fair value.
How much growth has Hirequest Inc (HQI) delivered so far?
Over the past 5 years revenue at Hirequest Inc grew +17.3 % a year. The price currently implies free-cash-flow growth of +18.3 % per year. Comparing the two shows how much confidence is in the price: if it demands more than has been delivered, the business has to accelerate for the maths to work.
How fast is the sector of Hirequest Inc (HQI) growing?
The median revenue growth in the sector is +7.8 % a year. That is the yardstick for the growth priced into Hirequest Inc (+18.3 % per year): it shows whether the expectation is within the usual range or beyond it.
What is the free cash flow yield of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The free-cash-flow yield on the price is 4.94 %: that much free cash flow Hirequest Inc produces per unit of market value. When it exceeds the discount rate of our models (13.3 %), the business already earns more than its cost of capital demands, and the price needs little additional growth.
What is the intrinsic value of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Intrinsic value and fair value mean the same thing: what the business is worth on its numbers, independent of the share price. For Hirequest Inc it is $8.06 per share (as of Nov 6, 2026), against a price of $17.59. It is the blended result of 24 valuation models in 8 families (DCF Models, Earnings-Based, Dividend Discount, Multiples, Asset-Based, Growth DCF, Economic Profit, Growth Earnings).
Is Hirequest Inc stock overvalued or undervalued in 2026?
As of Nov 6, 2026, HQI trades above its calculated fair value: price $17.59, fair value $8.06, a gap of about −54% (overvalued). The calculation is refreshed with each new quarterly report, so the verdict can change during the year.
Is fair value the same as the market price of HQI?
No. The price is what the market pays today ($17.59); the fair value is what the company's own numbers justify ($8.06). For Hirequest Inc the two are $9.53 per share apart. That gap is exactly why we show both numbers side by side.
How much is Hirequest Inc worth?
The market values Hirequest Inc at about $243M (market capitalisation, as of Nov 6, 2026). Per share that is $17.59; our models calculate a fair value of $8.06 per share.
What do the bullish and bearish scenarios say about HQI?
Our models span a range for Hirequest Inc: cautious scenario $6.54, base $8.06, optimistic $9.82 per share (as of Nov 6, 2026, price $17.59). The range comes from different growth and margin assumptions, not from analyst opinions.
What is the P/E ratio of HQI?
Hirequest Inc trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.8 (as of Nov 6, 2026). A P/E on its own says little: it compares the price with ONE year of profit, while our fair value of $8.06 is built from several models across several years. Median P/E at fiscal year-end, 7 fiscal years (2017 to 2025), reported earnings, 4 of the years ex one-offs: 23.2. Other multiples: P/B 3.6, P/S 8.1, EV/EBITDA 19.4.
How solid is the balance sheet of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Balance-sheet figures for Hirequest Inc (as of Nov 6, 2026): return on equity 12.5%, debt of 0.00 per unit of equity. They feed the Quality Score of 77/100, which measures business quality independently of the share price.
How far is HQI from its 52-week high?
Hirequest Inc trades at $17.59, about 12% below its 52-week high of $20.04 and 134% above the low of $7.52 (as of Nov 6, 2026). Distance from the high says nothing about value: that is what the fair value of $8.06 is for.
Which stocks are comparable to Hirequest Inc?
From the same area (Industrials) we also value Randstad N.V, Adecco Group, Korn Ferry,, Robert Half Inc, among others. Each of them has its own fair-value calculation on this site using the same models, so the comparison is like for like.
Is Hirequest Inc stock attractive at the current price?
The data as of Nov 6, 2026: price $17.59, calculated fair value $8.06 (−54%), Quality Score 77/100, from 24 models. Whether that fits your horizon and risk tolerance is your call. We provide the calculation, not investment advice.
How is the fair value of HQI calculated?
We run Hirequest Inc through 24 models from 8 families: DCF Models, Earnings-Based, Dividend Discount, Multiples, Asset-Based, Growth DCF, Economic Profit, Growth Earnings. Every model gets the same audited fundamentals; the fair value of $8.06 builds on their evidence-weighted average, with the spread shown as a cautious and an optimistic scenario.
Is it still worth investing in stocks now?
The global stock market currently sits 13.3% above its aggregate fair value. Hirequest Inc itself currently trades above fair value. An expensive market is no reason to stay out and no reason to buy everything at once: keep a broad savings plan running, buy single stocks only with money you can do without, and hold part of your money liquid while the market is high. The full picture including sectors is on is it worth investing now.
What is the share price of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The closing price on Nov 6, 2026 was $17.59. Our model-based fair value is $8.06, about 54% lower (overvalued). We carry closing prices from our data provider, not a live tick.
What should I pay attention to with Hirequest Inc right now?
A high-quality business (quality 77/100), yet the market already pays well above fair value. Quality at a full price, with little margin of safety. The price sits above even our optimistic bull case ($9.82). The favourable scenario is already priced in.
Key figures of Hirequest Inc
How large is the market capitalisation of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The market capitalisation of Hirequest Inc is $243M. The stock-market value of the whole company: share price times number of shares. It is what the market asks for the entire business today.
What is the P/S ratio of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The price-to-sales ratio of Hirequest Inc is 8.06 (last twelve months). Price to sales: market value relative to yearly revenue. Useful when profit is thin or distorted.
What are the earnings per share of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Earnings per share at Hirequest Inc are $0.6100 (price ÷ EPS = P/E 28.8). Earnings per share over the last twelve months: total profit spread across every single share.
What is the dividend yield of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The dividend yield of Hirequest Inc is 1.4% (payout 39.3%). Yearly dividend relative to the share price. 3% pays 3 per 100 invested. Below: how much of profit is used for it.
What is the net margin of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The net margin of Hirequest Inc is 27.1% (last twelve months). How much of every unit of revenue ends up as profit. 10% means 10 cents of profit per dollar of sales.
What is the return on equity of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The return on equity (ROE) of Hirequest Inc is 12.5% (last twelve months). Profit relative to shareholders' equity, how efficiently the company works with its owners' money.
What is the EBIT return on assets of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
On an EBIT basis the return on assets of Hirequest Inc is 9.9% (avg 5y). Operating profit (EBIT) relative to everything the company owns, as a multi-year average. It describes the business model rather than one good or bad year.
What is the operating margin of Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
The operating margin of Hirequest Inc is 41.3% (last twelve months). Profit from the core business (before interest and taxes) relative to revenue.
How fast is revenue growing at Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Revenue at Hirequest Inc is growing +6.0% versus a year earlier (3y avg −0.3%). How much revenue grew versus a year earlier (YoY). The 3-year average next to it puts the single year in context.
How fast are earnings growing at Hirequest Inc (HQI)?
Earnings per share at Hirequest Inc are growing +157% versus a year earlier. How much earnings per share grew versus a year earlier.
How much net cash does Hirequest Inc (HQI) hold?
Hirequest Inc holds more cash than debt, $3.9M net (fiscal year 2025). The company holds more cash than debt, a safety cushion.
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Broad data
Nov 6, 2026