Same-store sales growth at franchised locations, indicating underlying demand for temporary labor
New franchise location openings and franchise system expansion into new geographic markets
Workers' compensation insurance costs and claims experience, which directly impact franchisee profitability
Small business hiring activity and confidence, as franchisees primarily serve SMB clients in construction, logistics, and light manufacturing
high - Temporary staffing demand is highly procyclical, serving as a leading indicator of broader employment trends. Blue-collar and light industrial segments are particularly sensitive to construction activity, manufacturing output, and logistics volumes. Small business clients (HireQuest's core market) typically reduce contingent labor before permanent headcount during slowdowns. The 8.7% revenue decline and 40% net income drop reflect this cyclical sensitivity as businesses curtail temporary hiring.
Moderate indirect sensitivity through small business client activity. Rising rates reduce SMB expansion plans and capital spending, which decreases demand for temporary labor in construction and manufacturing. Franchisees may face higher financing costs for working capital (payroll funding), though HireQuest's corporate balance sheet shows minimal debt (0.03 D/E). Higher rates also pressure valuation multiples for asset-light, growth-oriented business models.
Shift toward permanent hiring and direct employment as labor markets normalize, reducing structural demand for temporary staffing services
Technology disruption from gig economy platforms and digital labor marketplaces that disintermediate traditional staffing models, particularly in blue-collar segments
Regulatory changes to independent contractor classification and joint employment liability that increase compliance costs for franchisees
value - Small-cap staffing franchise trading at 4.9x sales with 7.7% FCF yield attracts value investors seeking cyclical recovery plays. Recent 27% one-year decline followed by 20% three-month recovery suggests opportunistic buyers entering after earnings trough. Asset-light model and 10.5% ROE appeal to investors focused on capital efficiency, though negative growth and small size limit institutional interest.
Trend
+15.2% vs SMA 50 · +53.9% vs SMA 200
Momentum
Accumulation pattern present — more buying days than selling over the past 20 sessions. Volume conditions support gradual price improvement.
Based on volume distribution analysis. Direct short interest data (short float %, days to cover) is not available in current data sources.
ANALYST ESTIMATES
Analyst consensus estimates · Actuals replace estimates as reported
| Year | Revenue Est. | Rev Gth | EPS Est. | EPS Gth | Range | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FY2025 | $31.0M $30.6M–$31.4M | — | $0.65 | — | ±2% | Low1 |
FY2026(current) | $28.1M $27.7M–$28.5M | ▼ -9.4% | $0.56 | ▼ -13.8% | ±2% | Low1 |
FY2027 | $29.3M $28.9M–$29.7M | ▲ +4.2% | $0.58 | ▲ +4.5% | ±2% | Low1 |
Dividend per payment — last 8 periods
INSTITUTIONAL OWNERSHIP
HQI News
About
HireQuest, Inc. is a nationwide franchisor that provides on-demand labor and commercial staffing solutions in the light industrial, blue-collar, and commercial segments of the staffing industry for HireQuest Direct, HireQuest, and Snelling franchised offices across the United States. Through its national network of over 180 franchisee-owned offices in more than 30 states and the District of Columbia, HireQuest provides employment for approximately 50,000 individuals annually that work for thousands of customers in numerous industries including construction, light industrial, manufacturing, hospitality, clerical, travel, and event services.
| Symbol | Price | Day % | Mkt Cap↓ | P/E | Rev Grw | Margin | ELO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HQI◀ | $12.39 | -6.07% | $173M | 26.3 | -1144.0% | 2065.9% | 1500 |
| $888.31 | -3.47% | $409.2B | 43.7 | +429.0% | 1312.8% | 1523 | |
| $281.53 | -3.43% | $294.2B | 33.7 | +1848.2% | 1898.2% | 1489 | |
| $171.18 | -2.56% | $230.5B | 31.8 | +974.1% | 759.8% | 1488 | |
| $220.49 | -3.80% | $173.8B | 79.6 | +3449.4% | 249.7% | 1503 | |
| $270.56 | +0.45% | $160.6B | 22.2 | +107.2% | 2912.3% | 1504 | |
| $399.44 | -2.12% | $155.1B | 38.9 | +1033.0% | 1489.7% | 1504 | |
| Sector avg | — | -3.00% | — | 39.5 | +956.7% | 1526.9% | 1502 |