HQI Stock Analysis: Buy, Sell, or Hold?
HQI - HireQuest, Inc. Common Stock (DE)
$16.05
0.21 (1.33%)
â˛
5d:
-3.43%
30d:
-3.55%
90d:
+13.19%
WAIT
LOW Confidence
Analysis Updated: Sep 11, 2026 12:00 AM ET
Earnings: Nov 05, 2026
Get Alerted When HQI Hits Your Target Price
Join 10,000+ traders who never miss a move
You're in! Check your email to confirm and set your target price.
100% Free
No spam, ever
Unsubscribe anytime
Interactive Price Chart (1 Month)
Loading chart...
Loading historical data...
Bottom Line:
âšī¸ NEUTRAL: HQI is fairly priced but lacks strong directional signals. At -2.1% expected growth, valuation appears fair. Wait for clearer setup or better entry on dips.
âšī¸ NEUTRAL: HQI is fairly priced but lacks strong directional signals. At -2.1% expected growth, valuation appears fair. Wait for clearer setup or better entry on dips.
Long-Term Wealth Forecast (2031)
Based on Analyst Consensus Growth & Historical Valuation
0% (Stagnation)
50% (Hyper Growth)
EST. PRICE IN 2031
$23.37
Based on 6.5% avg growth
INTRINSIC VALUE TODAY
$14.51
Trading above historical range
How this is calculated: We use a Growth Decay Model: starting with analyst consensus growth (adjusted above) and gradually slowing it down to a long-term terminal rate (4%) by Year 5. This provides a more realistic valuation than assuming constant hyper-growth. We then apply a 20.2x Exit PE.
In-depth Analysis How we analyze
Valuation Analysis: HQI is currently trading at $16.05, which is considered fair relative to its 30-day fair value range of $14.56 to $17.43. The stock's valuation (Forward PE: 19.0) is in line with its historical norms (20.2). Remarkably, the market is currently pricing in an annual earnings decline of 2.1% over the next few years. This pessimistic expectation contrasts with the company's recent 156.8% earnings growth, suggesting potential undervaluation if the company simply maintains stability.
Technical Outlook: Technically, HQI is in a strong uptrend. Immediate support is located at $15.53, while resistance sits at $17.48.
Market Sentiment: HQI scores 20/100 on our bottoming-setup gauge. Note this measures entry quality, not trend direction — a low score can mean the chart is extended after a strong run (don't chase) or still falling without stabilization; better entries typically come after a pullback toward the 20-day average. Wall Street analysts see significant upside, with an average price target of $19.00 (+18.4%). Current signals suggest waiting for a better entry point before initiating new positions.
Technical Outlook: Technically, HQI is in a strong uptrend. Immediate support is located at $15.53, while resistance sits at $17.48.
Market Sentiment: HQI scores 20/100 on our bottoming-setup gauge. Note this measures entry quality, not trend direction — a low score can mean the chart is extended after a strong run (don't chase) or still falling without stabilization; better entries typically come after a pullback toward the 20-day average. Wall Street analysts see significant upside, with an average price target of $19.00 (+18.4%). Current signals suggest waiting for a better entry point before initiating new positions.
Quick Decision Summary
Current Position
FAIR
Historical Trading Range
$14.56 -
$17.43
Company Quality Score
47/100
(HOLD)
Volume Confirmation
HIGH
Confidence Score
47.6%
All Signals
- NEUTRAL: Price in fair range
- BEARISH: Weak technical setup (20/100)
- BULLISH: High volume confirmation
- BULLISH: Trading below Wall St target ($19.00)
- WARNING: Composite score 47/100 in the bottom quintile â this cohort historically lags the market
Trading Range Analysis
30-Day Trading Range
$14.56 -
$17.43
Current vs Trading Range
FAIR
Support & Resistance Levels
Support Level
$15.53
Resistance Level
$17.48
Current Trend
Strong Uptrend
Technical data as of
Sep 11, 2026
Fundamental Context
Forward P/E (Next Year Est.)
18.99
Wall Street Target
$19.00
(+18.4%)
Revenue Growth (YoY)
6.0%
Earnings Growth (YoY)
156.8%
Profit Margin
27.1%
Valuation Discount vs History
-2.1% cheaper
PE vs Historical
19.0 vs 20.2
FAIR
Market-Implied Price Targets
If current PE multiple persists
Implied Growth (YoY):
-2.1%
(market-implied from PE analysis)
1-Year Target
$15.71
(-2%)
2-Year Target
$15.38
(-4%)
3-Year Target
$15.06
(-6%)
3-Yr Target (if PE normalizes)
(PE: 19â20)
$16.02
(0%)
3-Year Scenarios
Using analyst projected EPS growth
Bull:
(PE: 20.2, Growth: 9.0%)
$22.09
(+38%)
Base:
(SPY PE: 19.0, Growth: 9.0%)
$20.80
(+30%)
Bear:
(PE: 16.1, Growth: 9.0%)
$17.68
(+10%)
đ
Valuation based on Current Earnings
RECOVERY PLAY: Stock looks expensive now (26x PE), but valuation improves significantly next year (19x PE) as earnings recover.
Trailing PE: 26.40 | Current EPS (TTM): $0.60
Bull Case
$24.54
(+53%)
Analyst growth 40.8%, PE expands to 29.0
Base Case
$22.31
(+39%)
Market implied 40.8%, PE stable at 26.4
Bear Case
$10.77
(-33%)
Severe decline -20.0%, PE contracts to 22.4
These are projections based on PE multiples and EPS growth scenarios, not predictions. Actual results may vary significantly.
đĄ
Upside Surprise Potential
If earnings stabilize (0% growth), PE could expand from 19.0 to 20.2
Stabilization Target:
$17.07
(+6.3%)
PE Expansion Potential:
+6.3%
Share & Embed Analysis
Last updated: September 12, 2026 10:16 AM ET
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 11:16 AM
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 11:16 AM
đĨ Top Stocks Breaking Out Now
| Ticker | Score | Recommendation | Change % |
|---|
Technical Signals Check
Is HQI showing a specific setup today?
Insider Activity (6 Months)
0
Buys
0
Sells
0
Net
NEUTRAL
Top Rated Staffing & Employment Services Stocks
Top-rated stocks in Staffing & Employment Services by analyst ratings.
| Stock | Analyst Consensus | Analyst Target | Tradestie Score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
KFY
Korn Ferry |
STRONG BUY
5 analysts |
$86 | 46 HOLD |
|
MAN
ManpowerGroup Inc |
SELL
12 analysts |
$57 | 48 HOLD |
|
KFRC
Kforce Inc. |
HOLD
6 analysts |
$61 | 53 HOLD |
|
RHI
Robert Half InternationaâĻ |
SELL
11 analysts |
$35 | 34 SELL |
|
NSP
Insperity Inc |
SELL
5 analysts |
$52 | 52 HOLD |
