RHI

Wrapping up Q2 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the professional staffing & hr solutions stocks, including Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) and its peers. The Professional Staffing & HR Solutions subsector within Business Services is set to benefit from evolving workforce trends, including the rise of remote work and the gig economy. With companies casting a wider net to find talent due to remote work, the expertise of staffing and recruiting companies is even more valuable. For those who invest wisely, the use of predictive AI in recruitment and screening as well as automation in HR workflows can enhance efficiency and scalability. On the other hand, digitization means that talent discovery is less of a manual process, opening the door for tech-first platforms. Additionally, regulatory scrutiny around data privacy in HR is evolving and may require companies in this sector to change their go-to-market strategies over time. The 7 professional staffing & hr solutions stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2% below. In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.1% on average since the latest earnings results. With roots dating back to 1948 as the first specialized recruiting firm for accounting and finance professionals, Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) provides specialized talent solutions and business consulting services, connecting skilled professionals with companies across various fields. Robert Half reported revenues of $1.34 billion, down 2.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with EPS in line with analysts’ estimates. Interestingly, the stock is up 15.6% since reporting and currently trades at $43.76. Is now the time to buy Robert Half? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. Founded during the post-World War II economic boom when businesses needed temporary workers, ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN) connects millions of people to employment opportunities through its global network of staffing, recruitment, and workforce management services. ManpowerGroup reported revenues of $4.86 billion, up 7.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS guidance for next quarter estimates. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 52.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $59.36. Is now the time to buy ManpowerGroup? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. Operating as a professional employer organization (PEO) that serves over 8,000 companies with more than 120,000 worksite employees, Barrett Business Services (NASDAQ:BBSI) provides management solutions that help small and mid-sized businesses handle human resources, payroll, workers' compensation, and other administrative functions. Barrett reported revenues of $319.3 million, up 3.8% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates. Barrett delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. As expected, the stock is down 17.9% since the results and currently trades at $32.94. Read our full analysis of Barrett’s results here. Processing over 200 million screens annually across more than 200 countries and territories, First Advantage (NASDAQ:FA) provides employment background screening, identity verification, and compliance solutions to help companies manage hiring risks. First Advantage reported revenues of $448.8 million, up 14.9% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 8.2%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates. First Advantage pulled off the biggest analyst estimate beat, fastest revenue growth, and highest full-year guidance raise in the group. The stock is up 2.1% since reporting and currently trades at $21. Read our full, actionable report on First Advantage here, it’s free. With nearly 60 years of matching skilled professionals with the right opportunities, Kforce (NYSE:KFRC) is a professional staffing company that specializes in placing technology and finance experts with businesses on both temporary and permanent bases. Kforce reported revenues of $349.3 million, up 4.5% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS guidance for next quarter estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter beating analysts’ expectations. Kforce achieved the highest guidance raise of the whole group. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $58.25. Read our full, actionable report on Kforce here, it’s free. Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership. Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products. By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals. Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

Robert Half’s second quarter results revealed revenue marginally topping Wall Street’s expectations and non-GAAP profit meeting consensus. Management cited ongoing pressure in its Protiviti consulting segment, especially due to shifts in the U.S. financial services regulatory environment, which resulted in cost-cutting actions and lower operating margins. CEO Keith Waddell described the period as one of "continued sequential revenue growth" for Talent Solutions, but acknowledged that "Protiviti revenue results reflect ongoing shifts in the U.S. financial services regulatory environment," which led to a notable decline in gross margin and additional severance costs. Is now the time to buy RHI? Find out in our full research report (it’s free). Revenue: $1.34 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.32 billion (2.4% year-on-year decline, 1% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.26 vs analyst estimates of $0.26 (in line) Operating Margin: -4.7%, down from 0.1% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $4.03 billion While we enjoy listening to the management’s commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls is the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Mark Marcon (Baird) asked about further deterioration in Protiviti’s risk and compliance solutions and how much of the division’s weakness is temporary. CEO Keith Waddell explained that additional international realignment and ongoing regulatory changes drove the incremental severance expense, and reiterated that risk and compliance now represents just under 20% of Protiviti revenue. Trevor Romeo (William Blair) questioned the causes of Protiviti’s international performance drop. Waddell attributed it to the wind-down of large public sector contracts, particularly in Germany, and noted that macroeconomic factors like inflation have made it harder to replace these projects. Andrew Steinerman (JPMorgan) inquired about typical margin trends for Protiviti in the fourth quarter. Waddell clarified that while enterprise-wide seasonality patterns apply, Protiviti faces added regulatory headwinds and a shorter billing period this year, likely impacting Q4 margins more than usual. Keen Fai Tong (Goldman Sachs) asked about the sustainable growth rate for Talent Solutions in a normalized environment. Waddell estimated mid-single-digit growth, driven equally by wage inflation and volume, but cautioned that the definition of “normal” has shifted over recent cycles. Kartik Mehta (Northcoast Research) sought clarity on when Protiviti’s regulatory headwinds will abate. Waddell responded that relief should begin in early 2027, after lapping the steepest declines in financial services-related work. In the months ahead, the StockStory team is monitoring (1) evidence of sustained sequential growth in Talent Solutions placements, (2) signs of stabilization or turnaround in Protiviti’s risk and compliance pipeline, and (3) further cost discipline and margin recovery, particularly in response to evolving regulatory and macroeconomic trends. Trends in AI-driven client demand and the pace of public sector business replacement will also be critical indicators. Robert Half currently trades at $40.14, up from $37.85 just before the earnings. Is there an opportunity in the stock? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members). WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. The best stocks don’t just beat the market once. They do it again. And again. Robust revenue growth, rising free cash flow, returns on capital that leave their competition in the dust. The market has already rewarded these businesses. But our AI platform says the party isn’t over. Find out which 9 stocks made the cut this week — FREE. Get Our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks for Free HERE. Stocks that have made our list include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,552% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

Robert Half Inc. RHI reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 26 cents per share, which matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate but declined 36.6% year over year. Revenues of $1.34 billion surpassed the consensus estimate by 0.8% but decreased 2.4% year over year. However, investors remain optimistic due to strong earnings guidance for the third quarter of 2026, as the stock has gained 5% since the company released results on July 23. Robert Half Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Robert Half Inc. Quote The company guided adjusted earnings per share between 45 cents and 53 cents, with the midpoint of 49 cents being higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents. Over the past year, RHI's shares have risen 3.5% compared with the industry's 3.7% growth. The Zacks S&P 500 composite has gained 18.4% during the said time frame. The earnings performance of the reported quarter reflected improving demand in Talent Solutions, partly offset by continued weakness at Protiviti and restructuring-related costs. Talent Solutions revenues totaled $865.4 million, down 1% year over year. Within the segment, Contract Talent Solutions revenues declined 1.6% to $747.4 million, while Permanent Placement Talent Solutions revenues increased 2.9% to $118 million, marking a return to year-over-year growth. Protiviti revenues fell 4.9% year over year to $471 million, reflecting ongoing softness in the U.S. financial services regulatory environment. Management noted that Talent Solutions delivered its third consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth on an adjusted basis, while hiring demand continued to improve. Contract Talent Solutions' gross margin remained 39.1%, unchanged from the prior-year quarter. Overall, Talent Solutions’ gross margin improved to 47.4% from 47.1% a year ago. Protiviti's reported gross margin declined to 13.5% from 19.7%. On an adjusted basis, gross margin was 18.5%, down from 22.3%, reflecting approximately $7 million in severance costs related to restructuring actions. The company reported an operating loss of $62.3 million, against an operating income of $1.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income was $38.6 million, representing 2.9% of revenues. The quarter included a $100.9 million gain from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts, fully offset by related compensation expenses, resulting in no impact on net income. The effective tax rate increased to 35% from 33% a year ago. Robert Half ended the quarter with $324.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared with $380.5 million a year earlier. Accounts receivable stood at $821.4 million. Cash flow from operations totaled $109 million in the quarter. The company paid a quarterly dividend of 59 cents per share, returning $59 million to its shareholders. For the third quarter of 2026, Robert Half expects revenues to be between $1.31 billion and $1.41 billion, with the midpoint of $1.36 billion in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. At the midpoint, management expects Talent Solutions revenue growth of about 3% year over year, while Protiviti revenues are projected to decline about 6%. Management noted improving hiring activity, with Contract Talent Solutions revenues down 1% in the first two weeks of July 2026 and Permanent Placement revenues up 4% during the first three weeks of the month. Currently, Robert Half carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Waste Connections, Inc. WCN reported impressive second-quarter 2026 results. WCN’s adjusted earnings of $1.50 per share outpaced the consensus mark by 11.1% and rose 16.3% from the year-ago quarter. Waste Connections’ total revenues of $2.56 billion surpassed the consensus mark by 1.1% and increased 6.4% year over year. Rollins, Inc. ROL posted unimpressive second-quarter 2026 results. ROL’s adjusted earnings of 32 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.9% but rose 6.7% year over year. Total revenues of $1.08 billion fell short of the consensus estimate by 1.7% but increased 7.9% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Robert Half Inc. (RHI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rollins, Inc. (ROL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge. Robert Half stock has fallen 56.6% over the past five years, yet a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) intrinsic value estimate currently points to meaningful upside, even as market based multiples look roughly in line with peers. This split leaves investors weighing a DCF signal that suggests the shares may be too low against a broader, mixed valuation picture. Over five years, Robert Half shareholders have seen the stock decline 56.6%, which puts the recent valuation signals into the context of a long, difficult period for returns. Upcoming earnings and management commentary on staffing demand and margins may support the intrinsic value case, while any signs of weaker client engagement or thinner profitability could add pressure to the stock's valuation. On Simply Wall St's broader checks, Robert Half scores 3 out of 6 on value, which points to a mixed picture rather than a clear bargain or clear overvaluation. The issue now is whether Robert Half's current share price already reflects the key risks around demand and margins, or if the intrinsic value estimate suggests there is still a margin of safety. Robert Half delivered -3.5% returns over the last year. See how this stacks up to the rest of the Professional Services industry. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for Robert Half takes its projected cash flows and discounts them back to today to estimate what the stock could be worth. On this view, the company’s latest twelve month free cash flow sits at about $218.1 million, with the model assuming recovering cash flows over time rather than rapid expansion or steep decline. Those projections feed into an intrinsic value estimate of about $62.92 per share, which in this model suggests the stock is 43.9% undervalued relative to the current share price. Robert Half’s upcoming Q2 2026 earnings release, with expectations for softer results, may help explain why the market is cautious, even though the DCF output points to a higher value based on cash generation alone. On this DCF view, Robert Half stock appears undervalued, with the price sitting well below the model’s intrinsic value estimate. Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests Robert Half is undervalued by 43.9%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio, or discover 49 more high quality undervalued stocks. Head to the Valuation section of our Company Report for more details on how we arrive at this Fair Value for Robert Half. The P/E ratio is a useful way to think about what you are paying for each dollar of Robert Half's current earnings. Robert Half trades on a P/E of about 30.9x, which is richer than the Professional Services industry average of roughly 21.9x and also above the peer group average of about 17.4x. A fair P/E for Robert Half, based on a model that blends its industry, margins, size and risk profile, comes out at about 32.6x. That sits only slightly above the current multiple, so, despite the premium to the wider industry, the stock lines up close to what this framework suggests is reasonable for Robert Half's earnings profile. On the P/E yardstick, Robert Half looks roughly fairly valued, with its current earnings multiple sitting close to the level implied by the fair ratio model. See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown. Simply Wall St Narratives pick up where this Robert Half valuation puzzle leaves off by spelling out which combinations of growth, margins and earnings would need to hold for the stock to be worth materially more or less than today’s price. Each Narrative sets out a fair value as a thesis about how Robert Half's business could develop over time, so you can see how that thesis holds up as new information arrives. Community views on Robert Half sit far apart, with one camp leaning into an AI and staffing upturn while the other focuses on execution and demand risks. Bull case: 29% undervalued Read the full Bull Case to see why Robert Half could be undervalued Bear case: 18% overvalued Read the full Bear Case to see why Robert Half could be overvalued Do you think there's more to the story for Robert Half? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying! For Robert Half, the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model points to a meaningful intrinsic value gap, while the P/E based view suggests the stock is priced close to what peers and earnings currently justify. That split reflects a market that is cautious on growth and demand, even as the cash flow math screens the shares as undervalued. With broader valuation checks sitting in the middle, the key question from here is whether staffing demand and margins can support the intrinsic value case, or whether today’s multiple already captures the ongoing business and execution risks. 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. Companies discussed in this article include RHI. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. Robert Half (RHI) stock came into focus after the company paired its second quarter 2026 earnings release with fresh third quarter guidance, outlining revenue of $1.31b to $1.41b and earnings of $0.43 to $0.53 per share. See our latest analysis for Robert Half. The earnings release and guidance sparked a sharp shift in sentiment, with Robert Half's share price falling 6.8% on the day and 15.6% over the past week. The stock is still showing a 35.0% 90 day share price return and a 29.1% year to date share price return, while longer term total shareholder returns over one, three and five years point to sustained pressure and mixed confidence in the recovery story. If this earnings driven move has you reassessing your watchlist, it could be a good moment to broaden your search with 18 top founder-led companies Bulls see Robert Half as a discounted way to gain exposure to talent and consulting, while bears focus on margin pressure and uneven long term returns. Which side does the current valuation actually support? The most followed narrative pegs Robert Half's fair value at $29.89 per share, which sits below the last close of $35.29, setting up a valuation gap that hinges on future execution. Read the complete narrative. Want to see what justifies paying up for Robert Half despite those pressures? The narrative leans heavily on a sharp earnings rebound and a richer margin profile that only materializes several years out. The key is how much growth, profitability and valuation compression are baked into that $29.89 figure. Result: Fair Value of $29.89 (OVERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, persistent revenue declines, alongside rising SG&A as a share of sales and softer demand across key talent lines, could still challenge the Robert Half recovery story. Find out about the key risks to this Robert Half narrative. While the most popular narrative tags Robert Half as 18.1% overvalued at $35.29 versus a $29.89 fair value, the Simply Wall St DCF model points in the opposite direction. It indicates the stock is trading 43.8% below an estimated future cash flow value of $62.85. This raises a clear question: which set of assumptions do you trust more, the earnings multiple story or the cash flow story? Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value. Simply Wall St performs a discounted cash flow (DCF) on every stock in the world every day (check out Robert Half for example). We show the entire calculation in full. You can track the result in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted when this changes, or use our stock screener to discover 49 high quality undervalued stocks. If you save a screener we even alert you when new companies match - so you never miss a potential opportunity. Mixed signals around Robert Half's outlook and valuation can be hard to weigh, so move quickly, review the numbers yourself, and then check the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs. If Robert Half has you reassessing your portfolio, do not stop there. Broaden your opportunity set now and compare it with other focused stock ideas. Target potential value opportunities by reviewing companies that screen well on fundamentals and valuation with 49 high quality undervalued stocks. Strengthen your income focus by checking out companies that feature resilient payouts through the 9 dividend fortresses. Dial down portfolio risk by filtering for companies with healthier financial profiles using the 79 resilient stocks with low risk scores. 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. Companies discussed in this article include RHI. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here. Talent Solutions achieved its third consecutive quarter of sequential adjusted revenue growth, signaling a steady recovery in the staffing cycle. Permanent placement operations returned to year-over-year growth of 2.5%, driven by improved hiring demand and more supportive market conditions. Technology remains the strongest performing practice group, with demand centered on modernization, data, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure. Protiviti's performance was impacted by a marked decline in U.S. financial services regulatory enforcement actions and the easing of prior remediation requirements. Management acted decisively to align Protiviti's resource base with shifting demand, transitioning from large-scale remediation to shorter-duration operational efficiency projects. Small and midsize business clients are operating with lean organizations, creating pent-up demand for specialized talent as strategic priorities advance. Generative AI is increasing application volumes and complexity, which management believes reinforces the value of Robert Half's proprietary candidate insights and specialized expertise. Third quarter guidance assumes flat year-over-year revenue at the midpoint, reflecting 3% growth in Talent Solutions offset by a 6% decline in Protiviti. Protiviti's cost actions are expected to generate $45 million in annualized savings, which are fully reflected in the third quarter guidance. Management expects the headwinds in financial services regulatory work to persist through 2026, with relief anticipated starting in the first quarter of 2027. Fourth quarter directional observations include a 5% reduction in billing days due to holidays, typically resulting in negative operating leverage of 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points. The company remains optimistic about reaching new peak margins in future cycles, driven by a higher mix of high-level positions and increased use of full-time engagement professionals. A $7 million severance charge was recorded in the second quarter related to Protiviti's restructuring and international zone realignment. The second quarter tax rate increased to 35% due to lower tax credits and the impact of nondeductible expenses relative to lower pretax income. A $101 million gain from employee deferred compensation trust investments was recorded, though it was entirely offset by corresponding costs in SG&A and direct costs. Macroeconomic risks include persistent inflation and potential effects from escalating tensions in the Middle East impacting client sentiment. One stock. Nvidia-level potential. 30M+ investors trust Moby to find it first. Get the pick. Tap here. Severance costs grew from an initial $5 million estimate to $7 million due to a larger-than-expected realignment in the international zone, particularly Germany. Management confirmed that Protiviti's technology consulting practice had its best revenue quarter in history, seeing no evidence of project delays reported elsewhere in the industry. Management expressed confidence that the staffing bottom is likely in, barring major macroeconomic shocks, given three straight quarters of sequential growth. Historically, the company has exceeded prior revenue and margin peaks following every downturn, and management sees no reason why this cycle will differ. The 3% decline in international Protiviti revenues was attributed to the winding down of large public sector engagements in Germany and Belgium rather than financial services regulatory shifts. Higher inflation and energy prices in Europe have made it more difficult to backfill these projects compared to other regions. Management argues that the current decline in AML work is a result of the current administration's regulatory stance rather than a structural decrease in money laundering. They believe the current lack of scrutiny is creating pent-up demand that will eventually lead to more enforcement and remediation work in the future.

Interested in Robert Half Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Robert Half beat second-quarter revenue and earnings guidance, with management saying hiring demand is improving and Talent Solutions showed its third straight quarter of sequential growth. Protiviti remained under pressure, as revenue fell amid changes in the U.S. financial services regulatory environment; the company also took severance charges that will support about $45 million in annualized cost savings. For the third quarter, Robert Half guided for revenue of $1.31 billion to $1.41 billion and EPS of $0.43 to $0.53, with the midpoint implying roughly flat adjusted revenue year over year. 3 Recently Downgraded Stocks to Avoid in 2026 Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) reported second-quarter 2026 revenue and earnings above the midpoint of its guidance, as management pointed to improving hiring demand in its Talent Solutions business but continued pressure at consulting subsidiary Protiviti from changes in the U.S. financial services regulatory environment. President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Waddell said Global Enterprise revenues were $1.336 billion, down 2% from the prior-year quarter on a reported basis and down 3% on an adjusted basis. Net income per share was $0.26, compared with $0.41 in the second quarter of 2025. Waddell said earnings were affected by cost actions at Protiviti, including severance costs discussed by Chief Financial Officer Michael Buckley. → Could Truth API Become Trump Media’s First Meaningful Revenue Driver? Palantir Was Left Out of the S&P 500; It Still Looks Like a Buy “Hiring demand continues to improve, market conditions are increasingly more supportive of our business,” Waddell said. He added that the company’s combination of technology capabilities and specialized recruiting expertise positions it to help clients find talent and consulting services in a changing business environment. Buckley said second-quarter Talent Solutions revenue declined 2% year over year on an adjusted basis. U.S. Talent Solutions revenue was $660 million, down 1%, while non-U.S. Talent Solutions revenue was $205 million, down 4%. → 3 Photonics Companies Making Quantum Tech Possible Upwork Capitalizes on the Growing AI Gig Economy Waddell said Talent Solutions delivered its third consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth on a same-day constant currency basis. Permanent Placement also returned to adjusted year-over-year growth, with revenue up 2.5% for the quarter. Buckley said Permanent Placement revenue in June was up 4% from June 2025, compared with a 3% increase for the full quarter. For the first three weeks of July, Permanent Placement revenue was also up 4% from the year-earlier period. Contract Talent Solutions revenue exited the quarter with June revenue down 2% from the prior year, matching the full-quarter decline. Revenue for the first two weeks of July was down 1% from the comparable period in 2025, Buckley said, while cautioning investors not to read too much into short-term trends. → AeroVironment’s Stock Is Down, But Drone Demand Is Taking Off Waddell said technology was the strongest-performing practice group within Contract Talent Solutions, posting adjusted year-over-year revenue growth of 2.3% for the quarter. He cited increased job orders and project activity across areas including technology modernization, data, cybersecurity and IT infrastructure. Protiviti generated global second-quarter revenue of $471 million, including $373 million in the United States and $98 million outside the United States. On an adjusted basis, global Protiviti revenue fell 5% from the year-earlier period, with U.S. revenue down 6% and non-U.S. revenue down 3%. Buckley said Protiviti’s results reflected “ongoing shifts in the U.S. financial services regulatory environment.” The company recorded $7 million in severance costs during the quarter, reducing adjusted gross margin by 1.4 percentage points and earnings by $0.04 per share. Waddell said those actions are expected to produce $45 million in annualized cost savings, fully reflected in third-quarter guidance. During the question-and-answer portion of the call, Waddell said Risk and Compliance Solutions represents “a little under 20%” of Protiviti’s total revenue. He said the unit has been affected by fewer new enforcement actions and easing prior enforcement requirements. However, he added that Protiviti’s technology consulting practice “reported the best revenue quarter in its history” and was not affected by project delays. Internationally, Waddell said weakness in Protiviti was not related to financial services regulation. He attributed pressure in Germany, and to a lesser extent Belgium, to the wind-down of large public-sector engagements and a more difficult macroeconomic backdrop, including higher inflation and energy prices. Contract Talent Solutions gross margin was 39.1% of applicable revenue, unchanged from the prior-year quarter. Overall Talent Solutions gross margin was 47.4%, compared with 47.1% a year earlier. Protiviti gross margin was 13.5% of revenue, down from 19.7% a year earlier, while adjusted Protiviti gross margin was 18.5%, compared with 22.3% last year. Enterprise SG&A costs were 40.1% of global revenue, compared with 37.1% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted enterprise SG&A was 34.3%, compared with 33.8% a year earlier. Reported operating income for the quarter was negative $62 million. Adjusted operating income was $39 million, or 2.9% of revenue. Talent Solutions generated adjusted operating income of $29 million, or 3.3% of revenue, while Protiviti generated adjusted operating income of $10 million, or 2.1% of revenue. Buckley said the company’s second-quarter income statement included a $101 million gain from investments held in employee-deferred compensation trusts, which had no impact on reported net income. The tax rate was 35%, compared with 33% a year earlier. Robert Half guided for third-quarter revenue of $1.31 billion to $1.41 billion and income per share of $0.43 to $0.53. At the midpoint, revenue of $1.36 billion would be flat with the third quarter of 2025 on an adjusted basis. Buckley said the midpoint assumes Talent Solutions revenue growth of 3% year over year and a 6% decline in Protiviti revenue. The company’s underlying assumptions include adjusted Talent Solutions revenue growth of 1% to 5%, Protiviti revenue down 4% to 8%, and overall revenue ranging from a 2% decline to a 2% increase. Waddell said the company remains optimistic about its business trajectory, citing client priorities around technology, business transformation and growth. He also said the labor market for specialized talent remains tight and that artificial intelligence is changing recruiting by increasing application volumes, making candidate evaluation more complex. In response to analyst questions, Waddell said he believes Talent Solutions is in the early stages of recovery, barring a significant macroeconomic disruption. He noted that the company has now posted three quarters of sequential growth and said that in past downturns Robert Half has not only returned to prior revenue peaks but surpassed them. Waddell also expressed confidence that margins can return to or exceed prior peaks over time, citing a greater mix of higher-level roles, potential technology-driven efficiencies and the margin benefit from full-time engagement professionals as that mix grows. Robert Half International Inc, founded in 1948 by Robert Half, is a global professional staffing and consulting firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California. As a pioneer in specialized staffing, the company has built a reputation for matching skilled professionals with leading organizations across a range of industries. Robert Half's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RHI, reflecting its position as one of the longest‐standing and best‐known firms in the staffing sector. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including temporary staffing, permanent placement, and consulting solutions. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "Robert Half Q2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. 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This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Global Enterprise Revenues: $1.336 billion, down 2% year-over-year on a reported basis, down 3% on an adjusted basis. Net Income Per Share: $0.26, compared to $0.41 in the prior year. Cash Flow from Operations: $109 million. Cash Dividend: $0.59 per share, total cash outlay of $59 million. Return on Invested Capital: 9% for the second quarter. US Talent Solutions Revenues: $660 million, down 1% year-over-year. Non-US Talent Solutions Revenues: $205 million, down 4% year-over-year. Protiviti Global Revenues: $471 million, down 5% year-over-year on an adjusted basis. Contract Talent Solutions Bill Rates: Increased 2.3% year-over-year. Gross Margin for Contract Talent Solutions: 39.1% of applicable revenues. Overall Gross Margin for Talent Solutions: 47.4% of applicable revenues. Protiviti Gross Margin: 13.5% of revenues, adjusted gross margin 18.5%. Enterprise SG&A Costs: 40.1% of global revenues. Adjusted Operating Income: $39 million, 2.9% of revenues. Second Quarter Tax Rate: 35%. Accounts Receivable: $821 million, DSO 55.4 days. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 10 Warning Signs with RHI. Is RHI fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: July 23, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Global Enterprise revenues and earnings exceeded the midpoint of second quarter guidance. Talent Solutions delivered its third consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth on an adjusted basis. Permanent placement operations posted adjusted year-on-year revenue growth of 2.5%. Technology was the strongest performing practice group within contract Talent Solutions, achieving adjusted year-over-year revenue growth of 2.3%. Protiviti's technology consulting practice group reported the best revenue quarter in its history. Global Enterprise revenues were down 2% from last year's second quarter on a reported basis and down 3% on an adjusted basis. Net income per share in the second quarter was $0.26 compared to $0.41 in the second quarter a year ago. Protiviti's global second-quarter revenues were down 5% versus the year-ago period. Enterprise SG&A costs increased to 40.1% of global revenues in the second quarter compared to 37.1% in the same quarter one year ago. Protiviti's risk and compliance solutions practice continues to navigate shifts in the US financial services regulatory environment, impacting revenue. Q: Can you elaborate on the changes in the risk and compliance solutions and the impact on Protiviti's performance? A: Keith Waddell, CEO, explained that the severance costs increased from $5 million to $7 million, with savings growing proportionately. The changes were mainly due to more international zone realignment than initially expected. Risk and compliance now account for under 20% of Protiviti's total revenues. Protiviti's technology consulting practice reported its best revenue quarter, unaffected by project delays. Q: How confident are you in Protiviti's return to growth, and is the bottom in for the staffing cycle? A: Keith Waddell expressed confidence in Protiviti's return to growth, citing a strong pipeline, particularly in technology. He noted that Talent Solutions has seen three consecutive quarters of sequential growth, indicating early recovery. Historically, the company has surpassed prior peaks after downturns, and he sees no reason why this wouldn't happen again. Q: What caused the decline in Protiviti's international business, and do you expect it to continue? A: Keith Waddell attributed the decline to the winding down of large public sector engagements in Germany and Belgium, impacted by higher inflation and energy prices. The decline was not related to financial services but rather public sector projects. Q: Can you discuss the deceleration in contract Talent Solutions bill rate growth? A: Keith Waddell noted that the bill rate growth deceleration was minor, reflecting the weighted average pay rates across practice groups. The gross margins remained stable, indicating no significant spread compression. Q: What is the outlook for Protiviti's margins in the fourth quarter, and how does it compare to historical trends? A: Keith Waddell stated that the fourth quarter directional observations were enterprise-wide, including Protiviti. The historical range includes Protiviti, and the regulatory impact is expected to continue into Q4. The calendar will result in one fewer billing day, affecting revenue by about $20 million. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

For the quarter ended June 2026, Robert Half (RHI) reported revenue of $1.34 billion, down 2.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.26, compared to $0.41 in the year-ago quarter. The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33 billion, representing a surprise of +0.78%. The company has not delivered EPS surprise, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.26. While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. Here is how Robert Half performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Service Revenues- Permanent placement talent solutions: $117.99 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $115.42 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2.9%. Service Revenues- Protiviti: $470.97 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $469.51 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -4.9%. Service Revenues- Total contract talent solutions: $747.41 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $741.15 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -1.6%. Service Revenues- Contract talent solutions- Technology: $162.2 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $170.3 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2.4%. Service Revenues- Contract talent solutions- Finance & Accounting: $551.72 million versus $532.76 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -0.7% change. Service Revenues- Contract talent solutions- Administrative and customer support: $154.86 million versus $156.29 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -6.5% change. Service Revenues- Contract talent solutions- Elimination of intersegment: $-121.38 million compared to the $-120.12 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.3% year over year. View all Key Company Metrics for Robert Half here>>> Shares of Robert Half have returned +35.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Robert Half Inc. (RHI) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Robert Half (RHI) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.26 per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate . This compares to earnings of $0.41 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. A quarter ago, it was expected that this staffing firm would post earnings of $0.14 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.14, delivering no surprise. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. Robert Half, which belongs to the Zacks Staffing Firms industry, posted revenues of $1.34 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.78%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.37 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Robert Half shares have added about 49.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 9.6%. While Robert Half has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Robert Half was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.47 on $1.36 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.29 on $5.31 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Staffing Firms is currently in the bottom 28% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Kelly Services (KELYA), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. This staffing company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.24 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -55.6%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. Kelly Services' revenues are expected to be $1.01 billion, down 8.4% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Robert Half Inc. (RHI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research