Robert Half (NYSE:RHI – Get Free Report) and Star Equity (NASDAQ:STRR – Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk and institutional ownership.
Risk and Volatility
Robert Half has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Star Equity has a beta of 0.5, suggesting that its share price is 50% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Robert Half and Star Equity, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Robert Half | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Star Equity | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2.25 |
Robert Half currently has a consensus price target of $40.75, suggesting a potential downside of 6.79%. Star Equity has a consensus price target of $28.00, suggesting a potential upside of 185.71%. Given Star Equity’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Star Equity is more favorable than Robert Half.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Robert Half and Star Equity”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Robert Half | $5.38 billion | 0.83 | $132.99 million | $1.21 | 36.13 |
| Star Equity | $172.16 million | 0.21 | -$5.92 million | ($3.06) | -3.20 |
Robert Half has higher revenue and earnings than Star Equity. Star Equity is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Robert Half, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Robert Half and Star Equity’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Robert Half | 2.30% | 9.83% | 4.34% |
| Star Equity | -4.35% | -4.21% | -2.39% |
Insider and Institutional Ownership
92.4% of Robert Half shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 3.8% of Star Equity shares are held by institutional investors. 3.5% of Robert Half shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 31.6% of Star Equity shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Summary
Robert Half beats Star Equity on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Robert Half
Robert Half Inc. provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti segments. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. This segment markets its services to clients and employment candidates through both national and local advertising activities, including radio, digital advertising, job boards, alliance partners, and events. The Permanent Placement Talent Solutions segment engages in the placement of full-time accounting, finance, and tax and accounting operations personnel. The Protiviti segment offers consulting services in the areas of internal audit, technology consulting, risk, and compliance consulting. It offers it services under the Robert Half brand name. The company was formerly known as Robert Half International Inc. and changed its name to Robert Half Inc. in July 2023. Robert Half Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
About Star Equity
Star Equity Holdings, Inc. engages in the construction business in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Construction, and Investments. It manufactures modular housing units, structural wall panels, permanent wood foundation systems, and other engineered wood products; supplies general contractors with building materials; holds real estate assets; and manages investments. The company was formerly known as Digirad Corporation and changed its name to Star Equity Holdings, Inc. in December 2020. Star Equity Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
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