Korn Ferry vs Robert Half International: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Korn Ferry (KFY)

Q3 202615 Jul – 25 Sep 2026

▲3

Korn Ferry's growth streak and AMS deal reshape its story

Fifth straight quarter of revenue growth lifts shares Korn Ferry posted its fifth consecutive quarter of revenue growth, with full-year revenue of $2.94 billion and net income of $277 million. Shares rose 5.1% as investors grew more confident the company can turn consulting work into steadier earnings.
This is the first hard evidence in the period that the core business is growing consistently, which is the base for the stock's move.
Earnings beat estimates for a fourth straight quarter Korn Ferry earned $1.43 per share versus the $1.35 analysts expected, and revenue of $756.5 million also beat forecasts. The stock was already up 24.3% for the year, showing investors were rewarding the company's ability to keep topping expectations.
Beating estimates shows the business is performing better than the market assumed, which supports a higher share price.
AMS acquisition adds recurring revenue and boosts guidance Korn Ferry completed the £850 million purchase of AMS, a recruitment outsourcing firm with long-term contracts averaging 14 years. Management guided next-quarter revenue 15.9% above analyst estimates and targets $40 million in extra profit from AMS within a year.
The deal is the biggest strategic change in the period and directly explains the large guidance raise that drives the stock's outlook.
Strong results but stock falls on costs and dilution worries Korn Ferry led peers with the highest guidance raise, yet its stock dropped 12.3% since reporting. The AMS deal used $326 million cash plus new shares, and next-quarter profit guidance came in below expectations, so investors weighed the growth against integration costs and shareholder dilution.
This is the real counterweight: the same deal driving optimism also brings cash outflow, dilution, and profit-guidance disappointment that pulled the stock down.

August 202615 Jul – 25 Sep 2026

▲3

Korn Ferry's growth streak and AMS deal reshape its story

Fifth straight quarter of revenue growth lifts shares Korn Ferry posted its fifth consecutive quarter of revenue growth, with full-year revenue of $2.94 billion and net income of $277 million. Shares rose 5.1% as investors grew more confident the company can turn consulting work into steadier earnings.
This is the first hard evidence in the period that the core business is growing consistently, which is the base for the stock's move.
Earnings beat estimates for a fourth straight quarter Korn Ferry earned $1.43 per share versus the $1.35 analysts expected, and revenue of $756.5 million also beat forecasts. The stock was already up 24.3% for the year, showing investors were rewarding the company's ability to keep topping expectations.
Beating estimates shows the business is performing better than the market assumed, which supports a higher share price.
AMS acquisition adds recurring revenue and boosts guidance Korn Ferry completed the £850 million purchase of AMS, a recruitment outsourcing firm with long-term contracts averaging 14 years. Management guided next-quarter revenue 15.9% above analyst estimates and targets $40 million in extra profit from AMS within a year.
The deal is the biggest strategic change in the period and directly explains the large guidance raise that drives the stock's outlook.
Strong results but stock falls on costs and dilution worries Korn Ferry led peers with the highest guidance raise, yet its stock dropped 12.3% since reporting. The AMS deal used $326 million cash plus new shares, and next-quarter profit guidance came in below expectations, so investors weighed the growth against integration costs and shareholder dilution.
This is the real counterweight: the same deal driving optimism also brings cash outflow, dilution, and profit-guidance disappointment that pulled the stock down.

Latest15 Jul – 25 Sep 2026

▲3

Korn Ferry's growth streak and AMS deal reshape its story

Fifth straight quarter of revenue growth lifts shares Korn Ferry posted its fifth consecutive quarter of revenue growth, with full-year revenue of $2.94 billion and net income of $277 million. Shares rose 5.1% as investors grew more confident the company can turn consulting work into steadier earnings.
This is the first hard evidence in the period that the core business is growing consistently, which is the base for the stock's move.
Earnings beat estimates for a fourth straight quarter Korn Ferry earned $1.43 per share versus the $1.35 analysts expected, and revenue of $756.5 million also beat forecasts. The stock was already up 24.3% for the year, showing investors were rewarding the company's ability to keep topping expectations.
Beating estimates shows the business is performing better than the market assumed, which supports a higher share price.
AMS acquisition adds recurring revenue and boosts guidance Korn Ferry completed the £850 million purchase of AMS, a recruitment outsourcing firm with long-term contracts averaging 14 years. Management guided next-quarter revenue 15.9% above analyst estimates and targets $40 million in extra profit from AMS within a year.
The deal is the biggest strategic change in the period and directly explains the large guidance raise that drives the stock's outlook.
Strong results but stock falls on costs and dilution worries Korn Ferry led peers with the highest guidance raise, yet its stock dropped 12.3% since reporting. The AMS deal used $326 million cash plus new shares, and next-quarter profit guidance came in below expectations, so investors weighed the growth against integration costs and shareholder dilution.
This is the real counterweight: the same deal driving optimism also brings cash outflow, dilution, and profit-guidance disappointment that pulled the stock down.

Robert Half International Inc (RHI)

Q3 202622 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▲2▼1

RHI's Q2 beat and salary-guide demand offset by weak guidance and Protiviti regulatory drag

Q2 revenue beat, but EPS fell and Q3 guidance disappointed Robert Half's Q2 revenue of $1.34 billion beat estimates by about 1%, but earnings per share fell to $0.26 from $0.41 a year earlier. Q3 guidance of $1.31–$1.41 billion and $0.43–$0.53 EPS came in below expectations, sending shares down 6.8%.
This is the core earnings event that set the stock's direction this period.
Protiviti faces regulatory headwinds, pressuring margins On the Q2 call, management said Protiviti's consulting business is hurt by changes in U.S. financial services regulation and the wind-down of German public sector contracts. Fourth-quarter margins will face added regulatory costs and a shorter billing period, with relief not expected until early 2027.
This explains a key drag on RHI's consulting segment and future margins.
2027 Salary Guide shows strong demand for specialized and AI talent Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide projects average pay increases of 1.9%, with in-demand roles up 3.3–3.9%. About 55% of employers are stretching pay budgets, and 72% will pay more for AI skills. This signals healthy demand for RHI's staffing and recruiting services.
It points to a positive demand backdrop for RHI's core business.
Hiring rebound and dividend affirmation support the stock U.S. companies are signaling a hiring rebound, and RHI's CEO said AI's job-market impact is milder than feared. RHI also declared its regular $0.59 quarterly dividend, though it ended its buyback plan. These factors offer some support amid earnings volatility.
It shows stabilizing demand and shareholder returns that can cushion the stock.

August 202622 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▲2▼1

RHI's Q2 beat and salary-guide demand offset by weak guidance and Protiviti regulatory drag

Q2 revenue beat, but EPS fell and Q3 guidance disappointed Robert Half's Q2 revenue of $1.34 billion beat estimates by about 1%, but earnings per share fell to $0.26 from $0.41 a year earlier. Q3 guidance of $1.31–$1.41 billion and $0.43–$0.53 EPS came in below expectations, sending shares down 6.8%.
This is the core earnings event that set the stock's direction this period.
Protiviti faces regulatory headwinds, pressuring margins On the Q2 call, management said Protiviti's consulting business is hurt by changes in U.S. financial services regulation and the wind-down of German public sector contracts. Fourth-quarter margins will face added regulatory costs and a shorter billing period, with relief not expected until early 2027.
This explains a key drag on RHI's consulting segment and future margins.
2027 Salary Guide shows strong demand for specialized and AI talent Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide projects average pay increases of 1.9%, with in-demand roles up 3.3–3.9%. About 55% of employers are stretching pay budgets, and 72% will pay more for AI skills. This signals healthy demand for RHI's staffing and recruiting services.
It points to a positive demand backdrop for RHI's core business.
Hiring rebound and dividend affirmation support the stock U.S. companies are signaling a hiring rebound, and RHI's CEO said AI's job-market impact is milder than feared. RHI also declared its regular $0.59 quarterly dividend, though it ended its buyback plan. These factors offer some support amid earnings volatility.
It shows stabilizing demand and shareholder returns that can cushion the stock.

Latest22 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▲2▼1

RHI's Q2 beat and salary-guide demand offset by weak guidance and Protiviti regulatory drag

Q2 revenue beat, but EPS fell and Q3 guidance disappointed Robert Half's Q2 revenue of $1.34 billion beat estimates by about 1%, but earnings per share fell to $0.26 from $0.41 a year earlier. Q3 guidance of $1.31–$1.41 billion and $0.43–$0.53 EPS came in below expectations, sending shares down 6.8%.
This is the core earnings event that set the stock's direction this period.
Protiviti faces regulatory headwinds, pressuring margins On the Q2 call, management said Protiviti's consulting business is hurt by changes in U.S. financial services regulation and the wind-down of German public sector contracts. Fourth-quarter margins will face added regulatory costs and a shorter billing period, with relief not expected until early 2027.
This explains a key drag on RHI's consulting segment and future margins.
2027 Salary Guide shows strong demand for specialized and AI talent Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide projects average pay increases of 1.9%, with in-demand roles up 3.3–3.9%. About 55% of employers are stretching pay budgets, and 72% will pay more for AI skills. This signals healthy demand for RHI's staffing and recruiting services.
It points to a positive demand backdrop for RHI's core business.
Hiring rebound and dividend affirmation support the stock U.S. companies are signaling a hiring rebound, and RHI's CEO said AI's job-market impact is milder than feared. RHI also declared its regular $0.59 quarterly dividend, though it ended its buyback plan. These factors offer some support amid earnings volatility.
It shows stabilizing demand and shareholder returns that can cushion the stock.