• i3 Verticals' ROIC of 0.26% is significantly lower than its WACC of 8.55%, indicating inefficiency in generating returns from investments.
• International Money Express, Inc. (IMXI) and OneSpan Inc. (OSPN) outperform i3 Verticals with a ROIC to WACC ratio of 2.06, showcasing their superior capital utilization.
• nLIGHT, Inc. (LASR) and Repay Holdings Corporation (RPAY) have negative ROIC to WACC ratios, highlighting potential profitability challenges.

i3 Verticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IIIV) is a technology and integrated payments company that provides software and services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company operates in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and public sector, offering solutions that streamline payment processing and enhance operational efficiency. i3 Verticals faces competition from other companies in the payment processing and technology sectors.

In evaluating i3 Verticals' financial performance, the Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is a key metric. With a ROIC of 0.26%, the company shows minimal efficiency in generating returns from its investments. This is concerning when compared to its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 8.55%, which represents the average rate the company pays for its capital. The ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.03 indicates that i3 Verticals is struggling to generate returns that exceed its cost of capital.

When comparing i3 Verticals to its peers, International Money Express, Inc. (IMXI) and OneSpan Inc. (OSPN) emerge as leaders. Both companies have a ROIC to WACC ratio of 2.06, demonstrating their ability to generate returns significantly above their cost of capital. This suggests that IMXI and OSPN are more efficient in utilizing their capital to create value for shareholders.

On the other hand, nLIGHT, Inc. (LASR) and Repay Holdings Corporation (RPAY) have negative ROIC to WACC ratios of -1.25 and -1.34, respectively. This indicates that these companies are not covering their cost of capital, which could be a red flag for investors. Such negative ratios suggest inefficiencies in capital utilization and potential challenges in achieving profitability.

PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN) presents a more balanced scenario with a ROIC to WACC ratio of 1.06. This indicates that the company is generating returns slightly above its cost of capital, suggesting a moderate level of efficiency in its operations. Overall, the analysis highlights the varying levels of efficiency among i3 Verticals and its peers in generating returns over their cost of capital.