Recent share performance context

First Advantage (FA) has drawn attention after a period of weaker share performance, with the stock around $12.91 and total return figures indicating declines over the past year and year to date.

Against that backdrop, investors are weighing the company’s reported revenue of $1.46b and a net income loss of $138.659m, alongside a value score of 4 and an indicated intrinsic discount of about 52%.

Recent trading has been weak, with the share price at $12.91 and a 30-day share price return of a 15.90% decline, adding to a 1-year total shareholder return of a 30.74% decline. This contrasts with a modest 3-year total shareholder return of 3.73%.

If this kind of pullback has you reassessing your options, it could be a good moment to broaden your search and check out fast growing stocks with high insider ownership.

With the share price under pressure, a value score of 4, a roughly 52% indicated intrinsic discount and a sizeable net income loss, investors may ask whether this weakness reflects a genuine mispricing or whether the market is already factoring in the company’s future growth.

Most Popular Narrative: 26.5% Undervalued

With First Advantage last closing at $12.91 against a widely followed fair value of about $17.57, the narrative points to a sizeable gap that hinges on earnings progress and acquisition synergies.

Ongoing investments in proprietary AI-enabled technology, automation, and integrated platforms (particularly following the Sterling acquisition) are unlocking operational efficiencies and enabling more high-margin value-added services, creating potential for margin expansion and higher net earnings.

Curious what kind of revenue path and margin rebuild are baked into that $17.57 figure, and how the assumed earnings multiple fits in? The most followed narrative ties together growth in screening demand, efficiency gains from integration, and a future profitability profile that looks very different to today. If you want to see which specific earnings, margin and valuation assumptions need to line up for this gap to close, the full narrative lays it all out.

Result: Fair Value of $17.57 (UNDERVALUED)

However, this hinges on hiring volumes and execution. Softer base growth guidance and ongoing Sterling integration risks both have scope to knock that narrative off course.

Build Your Own First Advantage Narrative

If you look at the numbers and come to a different conclusion, or simply prefer to build your own view from scratch, you can pull the data together and shape a complete story for yourself in just a few minutes with Do it your way.

A good starting point is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards investors are optimistic about regarding First Advantage.

Looking for more investment ideas?

If you are weighing what to do next, do not stop at a single stock. Widen your search and let the data help you spot fresh opportunities.

• Scan for potential mispriced opportunities by checking out these 878 undervalued stocks based on cash flows that might line up better with your risk and return expectations.
• Zero in on income potential by reviewing these 14 dividend stocks with yields > 3% that could suit a portfolio built around regular cash returns.
• Get exposure to a fast evolving theme by assessing these 19 cryptocurrency and blockchain stocks tied to blockchain, payments, and digital asset infrastructure.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.