Tearsheet

Exponent (EXPO)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $73.73 | Market Cap: $3.8 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Research & Consulting Services

Exponent (EXPO)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $73.73
Market Cap: $3.8 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Research & Consulting Services

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 23%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 22%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -51%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -97%
 
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 24%
  
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Advanced Materials, Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving, and Automation & Robotics. Themes include Lightweight Composites, Show more.
  
0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 23%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 22%
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 24%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Advanced Materials, Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving, and Automation & Robotics. Themes include Lightweight Composites, Show more.
3 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -51%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -97%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

EXPO Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Here are the key points explaining the approximate 3.4% movement in Exponent's (EXPO) stock from late August 2025 to early December 2025:

1. Strong Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results. Exponent reported robust financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, which ended on October 3, 2025. The company announced an 8% year-over-year increase in total revenue to $147.1 million, and a 10% rise in earnings per share (EPS) to $0.55, significantly beating analyst expectations of $0.51 per share. This positive earnings surprise led to a 2.16% rise in the stock during aftermarket trading following the announcement on October 30, 2025.

2. Increased Demand in Key Consulting Segments. The company's strong Q3 performance was primarily driven by increased demand for dispute-related work across critical sectors, including energy, transportation, and life sciences. Additionally, Exponent experienced solid growth from proactive engagements in risk management and asset integrity projects within the utility sector, as well as regulatory consulting in the chemicals industry.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
EXPO Return32%31%-14%-10%2%-17%13%
Peers Return2%31%-6%11%-8%-51%-37%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
EXPO Win Rate58%58%42%50%75%30% 
Peers Win Rate48%48%33%42%28%28% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
EXPO Max Drawdown-14%-8%-30%-28%-15%-26% 
Peers Max Drawdown-42%-3%-20%-11%-16%-57% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: CBZ, ASGN, NSP, MAN, ACCL. See EXPO Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventEXPOS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-43.5%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven77.0%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-27.9%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven38.8%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven127 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-14.4%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven16.8%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven55 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-46.2%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven85.8%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven648 days1480 days

Compare to CBZ, ASGN, NSP, MAN, ACCL


In The Past

Exponent's stock fell -43.5% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 12/8/2021. A -43.5% loss requires a 77.0% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Exponent (EXPO)

Better Bets than Exponent (EXPO)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to EXPO. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%
EXPO_2292020_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%02292020EXPOExponentQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
12.4%32.3%-19.2%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%
EXPO_2292020_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%02292020EXPOExponentQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
12.4%32.3%-19.2%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Exponent

Peers to compare with:

Financials

EXPOCBZASGNNSPMANACCLMedian
NameExponent CBIZ ASGN InsperityManpower.Acco  
Mkt Price73.7851.4245.4335.9728.774.1640.70
Mkt Cap3.83.22.01.41.3-2.0
Rev LTM5712,6763,9856,75717,644-3,985
Op Inc LTM11821324821226-213
FCF LTM1238628351-93-86
FCF 3Y Avg11911334799104-113
CFO LTM13210432686-35-104
CFO 3Y Avg130131386137170-137

Growth & Margins

EXPOCBZASGNNSPMANACCLMedian
NameExponent CBIZ ASGN InsperityManpower.Acco  
Rev Chg LTM4.9%59.2%-4.9%3.2%-2.4%-3.2%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg4.6%27.2%-3.8%5.7%-4.7%-4.6%
Rev Chg Q8.0%58.1%-1.9%4.0%2.3%-4.0%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM1.9%10.5%-0.5%0.9%0.6%-0.9%
Op Mgn LTM20.6%7.9%6.2%0.3%1.3%-6.2%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg20.7%9.4%7.3%2.2%1.7%-7.3%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.2%-0.5%-0.2%-0.4%-0.0%--0.2%
CFO/Rev LTM23.1%3.9%8.2%1.3%-0.2%-3.9%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg23.4%7.2%9.1%2.1%0.9%-7.2%
FCF/Rev LTM21.5%3.2%7.1%0.8%-0.5%-3.2%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg21.4%6.2%8.2%1.5%0.5%-6.2%

Valuation

EXPOCBZASGNNSPMANACCLMedian
NameExponent CBIZ ASGN InsperityManpower.Acco  
Mkt Cap3.83.22.01.41.3-2.0
P/S6.21.20.50.30.1-0.5
P/EBIT30.013.48.334.610.3-13.4
P/E33.731.715.8110.0-83.9-31.7
P/CFO26.731.66.321.7-49.8-21.7
Total Yield4.7%3.2%6.3%4.5%2.9%-4.5%
Dividend Yield1.7%0.0%0.0%3.6%4.1%-1.7%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg2.6%3.7%10.8%3.0%2.0%-3.0%
D/E0.00.60.60.20.9-0.6
Net D/E-0.00.60.5-0.00.8-0.5

Returns

EXPOCBZASGNNSPMANACCLMedian
NameExponent CBIZ ASGN InsperityManpower.Acco  
1M Rtn2.4%-6.7%2.2%-20.2%-1.9%-4.8%-3.4%
3M Rtn2.7%-14.8%-15.3%-34.9%-27.7%-66.7%-21.5%
6M Rtn-4.5%-28.9%-14.0%-42.4%-27.4%-66.7%-28.2%
12M Rtn-23.7%-37.1%-49.7%-54.3%-51.8%-66.7%-50.8%
3Y Rtn-26.2%2.5%-48.3%-67.3%-62.8%-66.7%-55.6%
1M Excs Rtn2.4%-6.6%2.2%-20.2%-1.9%-4.8%-3.3%
3M Excs Rtn-4.3%-19.6%-18.7%-40.7%-33.9%-72.1%-26.8%
6M Excs Rtn-19.2%-43.7%-28.7%-57.2%-42.1%-81.5%-42.9%
12M Excs Rtn-37.7%-51.3%-63.9%-66.3%-65.8%-80.3%-64.8%
3Y Excs Rtn-96.9%-68.1%-121.3%-139.6%-134.5%-139.5%-127.9%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Engineering and Other Scientific447428381319340
Environmental and Health9085858177
Total537513466400417


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Engineering and Other Scientific154153140101111
Environmental and Health2827282727
Corporate operating expense-71-39-59-44-52
Total1111411098385


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity2,575,138
Short Interest: % Change Since 103120253.5%
Average Daily Volume369,088
Days-to-Cover Short Interest6.98
Basic Shares Quantity50,872,000
Short % of Basic Shares5.1%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251107202510-Q 10/3/2025
6302025808202510-Q 7/4/2025
3312025509202510-Q 4/4/2025
12312024228202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241101202410-Q 9/27/2024
6302024802202410-Q 6/28/2024
3312024503202410-Q 3/29/2024
12312023223202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231103202310-Q 9/29/2023
6302023807202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023505202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022224202310-K 12/30/2022
93020221104202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022805202210-Q 7/1/2022
3312022506202210-Q 4/1/2022
12312021225202210-K 12/31/2021