What Happened? Shares of business management solutions provider Barrett Business Services (NASDAQ:BBSI) fell 8.2% in the morning session after the company reported third-quarter 2025 financial results that fell short of analyst expectations on profitability. The business management solutions provider disclosed earnings per share (EPS) of $0.79, which missed the consensus estimate of $0.80. Additionally, its adjusted EBITDA of $26.88 million fell 7.7% short of expectations. On the other hand, the company's ...

Barrett Business Services (BBSI) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.79 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.81 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.74 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -2.47%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this human resources management company would post earnings of $0.65 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.7, delivering a surprise of +7.69%.Over ...

Barrett Business Services (NasdaqGS:BBSI) Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 05, 2025 05:00 PM ET Speaker6Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for participating in today's conference call to discuss BBSI's financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. Joining us today are BBSI's President and CEO, Mr. Gary Kramer, and the company's CFO, Mr. Anthony Harris. Following their remarks, we will open the call for questions. Before we go further, please take note of the company's safe harbor stat ...

Financial Performance - Net income for Q3 2025 was $20.6 million, an increase from $19.6 million in Q3 2024, with diluted net income per share rising to $0.79 from $0.74[104] - Revenue for Q3 2025 totaled $318.9 million, reflecting an increase of $24.7 million or 8.4% compared to Q3 2024, driven by a 9.9% increase in PEO services revenue[105] - Net income for the first nine months of 2025 was $38.1 million, an increase of 5.2% from $36.2 million in the same period of 2024, with diluted net income per share rising to $1.45 from $1.35[113] - Revenue for the first nine months of 2025 reached $919.2 million, reflecting a 9.5% increase from $839.7 million in 2024, driven by an 11.0% increase in PEO services revenue[114] Margins and Costs - Gross margin for Q3 2025 was $76.8 million, representing 24.0% of revenue, down from 25.3% in Q3 2024[106] - Gross margin for the first nine months of 2025 was $192.6 million, or 20.9% of revenue, down from $181.9 million, or 21.6% of revenue in 2024[115] - Direct payroll costs for Q3 2025 were $14.6 million, or 4.6% of revenue, compared to 5.5% in Q3 2024[107] - Direct payroll costs decreased to $41.1 million, or 4.5% of revenue, compared to $45.6 million, or 5.4% of revenue in 2024[116] - Payroll taxes and benefits for Q3 2025 totaled $176.3 million, or 55.3% of revenue, up from 52.4% in Q3 2024, attributed to higher payroll tax rates and increased client benefit costs[108] - Payroll taxes and benefits increased to $536.6 million, or 58.4% of revenue, from $464.8 million, or 55.4% of revenue in 2024, due to higher average payroll tax rates[117] - Workers' compensation expense for Q3 2025 was $51.3 million, or 16.1% of revenue, down from 16.8% in Q3 2024[109] - Workers' compensation expense was $148.9 million, or 16.2% of revenue, compared to $147.4 million, or 17.6% of revenue in 2024, reflecting lower costs[118] - SG&A expenses for Q3 2025 were $49.9 million, or 15.6% of revenue, compared to 16.7% in Q3 2024[110] - SG&A expense rose to $142.9 million, or 15.5% of revenue, from $137.1 million, or 16.3% of revenue in 2024, primarily due to increased employee-related costs[119] Taxation - The effective income tax rate for Q3 2025 was 22.9%, a decrease from 23.6% in Q3 2024[112] - The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2025 was 24.7%, slightly higher than 24.2% in 2024[121] Employee Metrics - Average worksite employees (WSEs) for Q3 2025 increased by 6.1% year-over-year to 141,492, while ending WSEs grew by 5.8% to 140,409[103] Cash Flow - Net cash used in operating activities for the first nine months of 2025 was $10.2 million, significantly improved from $43.3 million in 2024[124] - The company's cash balance decreased to $66.0 million as of September 30, 2025, down from a decrease of $46.1 million in the same period of 2024[123] Gross Billings - Gross billings for Q3 2025 reached $2.32 billion, up from $2.14 billion in Q3 2024, with PEO and staffing wages totaling $2.02 billion[101]

Financial Performance - Revenues increased by 8% to $318.9 million compared to $294.3 million in Q3 2024[3] - Net income for Q3 2025 was $20.6 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, up from $19.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share in Q3 2024[6] - Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2025, increased to $318,949,000, up from $294,278,000 in the same period of 2024, representing a growth of 8.5%[25] - Professional employer services revenue rose to $299,685,000, compared to $272,793,000 in the prior year, reflecting an increase of 9.8%[25] - Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $20,619,000, up from $19,628,000 in 2024, marking a growth of 5.1%[25] - Basic income per common share increased to $0.80 for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $0.75 in the same period of 2024, a rise of 6.7%[25] - Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, reached $919,172,000, compared to $839,711,000 in 2024, showing a growth of 9.4%[25] - Diluted income per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $0.79, up from $0.74 in the same period of 2024, an increase of 6.8%[25] Operational Metrics - Gross billings rose by 9% to $2.32 billion from $2.14 billion in the same quarter last year[4] - Average worksite employees (WSEs) increased by 6% year-over-year[6] - The average number of WSEs is projected to grow by 6% to 8%[14] Cost and Expenses - Workers' compensation expense as a percentage of gross billings was 2.2%, down from 2.3% in Q3 2024[5] - Total cost of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $242,184,000, up from $219,866,000 in 2024, reflecting an increase of 10.1%[25] - Income from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $24,782,000, compared to $23,453,000 in 2024, representing a growth of 5.6%[25] - Provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $6,133,000, slightly up from $6,076,000 in 2024, an increase of 0.9%[25] - Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $76,765,000, compared to $74,412,000 in 2024, indicating an increase of 3.2%[25] Shareholder Actions - The company repurchased $7.5 million of stock in Q3 2025, with approximately $92.5 million remaining under the repurchase program[9] Future Outlook - BBSI expects gross billings growth of 8.5% to 9.5% for 2025[14] - The company remains debt-free as of the end of Q3 2025[7] - Total current assets increased to $516.9 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $475.4 million at the end of 2024[23]

Core Insights - Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI) reported a strong financial performance for Q3 2025, with revenues increasing by 8% to $318.9 million and gross billings rising by 9% to $2.32 billion, driven by new client additions and growth in professional employer services [1][3][4]. Financial Performance - Revenues for Q3 2025 were $318.9 million, up from $294.3 million in Q3 2024, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase [3]. - Gross billings increased to $2.32 billion in Q3 2025, compared to $2.14 billion in the same quarter of the previous year, marking a 9% growth [4]. - Net income for the quarter rose to $20.6 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared to $19.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in Q3 2024 [6][11]. Operational Metrics - The average number of worksite employees (WSEs) increased by 6% year-over-year, reaching 141,492 in Q3 2025 [11][19]. - Workers' compensation expense as a percentage of gross billings was 2.2% in Q3 2025, a slight decrease from 2.3% in Q3 2024, benefiting from lower costs [5][18]. Liquidity and Capital Allocation - As of September 30, 2025, BBSI had unrestricted cash and investments totaling $109.8 million, up from $90.4 million as of June 30, 2025, and remained debt-free [7]. - The company authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $100 million, with $7.5 million of stock repurchased in Q3 2025 [8][9]. - BBSI paid $2.1 million in dividends during the quarter, confirming a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share [10]. Strategic Outlook - BBSI's management emphasized a focus on disciplined execution and investment in technology and service delivery to support long-term growth, despite a cautious economic environment [2].

Core Viewpoint - Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI) will hold a conference call on November 5, 2025, to discuss its financial results for Q3 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call will be hosted by CEO Gary Kramer and CFO Anthony Harris, followed by a Q&A session [2]. - The call is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time) [2]. - Participants can join the call using the toll-free number 1-800-717-1738 or the international number 1-646-307-1865, with a Conference ID of 10829 [2]. Group 2: Replay Information - The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay on the BBSI website and through a dedicated replay number [3]. - A replay will be accessible after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day until December 5, 2025 [3]. - The toll-free replay number is 1-844-512-2921, and the international replay number is 1-412-317-6671, with a Replay ID of 1110829 [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - BBSI is a leading provider of business management solutions, specializing in human resource outsourcing and professional management consulting [3]. - The company serves over 8,100 PEO clients across all 50 states, focusing on improving operational efficiency through its integrated platform [3].

Core Insights - The Zacks Outsourcing industry is experiencing rising demand for business process outsourcing (BPO) due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, alongside increasing cybersecurity risks driving the need for outsourcing solutions [1][5][6] Industry Overview - Outsourcing involves delegating internal operations to external resources to enhance operational efficiency, primarily serving small and medium-sized enterprises [3] - Services offered include HR support, payroll management, benefits administration, retirement planning, and insurance services, allowing businesses to focus on core competencies [4] Current Trends - There is consistent growth in BPO and IT outsourcing, with a long-term outlook indicating that outsourced IT services will encompass a wide range of functions, driven by a shortage of in-house engineering talent [5] - The urgency for robust cybersecurity measures is increasing, with companies focusing on employee training and outsourced cybersecurity services to mitigate risks [6] - Innovations such as IoT, cloud computing, AI, and ML are transforming the outsourcing landscape, improving efficiency and competitiveness [7][8] Industry Performance - The Zacks Outsourcing industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 35, placing it in the top 14% of 246 Zacks industries, indicating bright near-term prospects [9] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Business Services sector and the S&P 500, declining by 1.9% while the sector and S&P 500 grew by 3.7% and 17.7%, respectively [11] - The industry trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.43X, lower than the S&P 500's 23.34X and the sector's 21.4X, indicating a cheaper valuation compared to peers [12] Promising Companies - **The Brink's Company (BCO)**: Provides cash and valuables management services with a 5% organic growth rate in Q2 2025, driven by strong demand for precious metals and successful customer acquisition efforts [13][15] - **Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI)**: A Professional Employer Organization with a record increase of 10,100 worksite employees added year-over-year in Q2 2025, supported by strong client retention and new product adoption [16][17] - **Capgemini SE (CGEMY)**: A consulting company with robust commercial momentum, achieving a book-to-bill ratio of 1.08 in Q2 2025, driven by high-value services in Cloud and Data, and AI [18][20]

Core Insights - The rising demand for business process outsourcing (BPO) is driven by flexibility and low costs, with trends like IoT, cloud computing, AI, and ML transforming the sector [1][4][6] Industry Overview - Outsourcing involves delegating internal operations to external resources to enhance operational efficiency, primarily catering to small and medium-sized enterprises [3] - Services include HR support, payroll management, benefits administration, retirement planning, and insurance services, allowing businesses to focus on core competencies [3] Future Trends - There is consistent growth in business process and IT outsourcing due to increased demand for flexibility, lower costs, and improved service quality [4] - The shortage of in-house engineering talent is expected to drive the outsourcing trend [4] - The urgency for robust cybersecurity measures is increasing, leading companies to outsource cybersecurity services to mitigate risks and maintain compliance [5] Industry Performance - The Zacks Outsourcing industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 35, placing it in the top 14% of 246 Zacks industries, indicating bright near-term prospects [7] - Over the past year, the Zacks Outsourcing industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Business Services sector and the S&P 500, declining by 1.9% against the sector's 3.7% growth and the S&P 500's 17.7% growth [9][10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.43X, lower than the S&P 500's 23.34X and the sector's 21.4X [13] Promising Companies - **Brink's Company (BCO)**: Provides cash and valuables management services with a 5% organic growth rate in Q2 2025, driven by strong demand for precious metals and successful customer acquisition [17][19] - **Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI)**: A Professional Employer Organization with a record increase of 10,100 worksite employees added year-over-year in Q2 2025, supported by strong client retention and new product adoption [20][21] - **Capgemini SE (CGEMY)**: Focuses on business transformation and consulting, with a robust book-to-bill ratio of 1.08 and a contribution of nearly 7% from GenAI and Agentic AI in Q2 2025 [22][23][25]

Core Insights - The staffing industry is evolving rapidly due to digital innovation, demographic changes, and the demand for flexible work arrangements, making effective staffing essential for companies to remain competitive and agile [2][3] Industry Overview - The staffing ecosystem has transformed, with organizations seeking strategic partners who understand talent needs and market trends, utilizing AI-enabled recruitment tools and talent analytics for smarter hiring decisions [2] - The global competition for talent is intensifying, increasing the value of adaptable and tech-savvy staffing firms, which are now seen as growth enablers rather than mere support functions [3] Investment Opportunities - The staffing sector presents compelling investment opportunities, with companies like Workday, Inc. (WDAY), First Advantage Corporation (FA), and Barrett Business Services (BBSI) positioned as key players in workforce transformation [4] - As hiring accelerates and labor markets evolve, staffing companies are at the forefront, providing scalable solutions that drive economic growth and long-term value creation [4] Company Highlights - Workday is focusing on AI-driven innovation and global expansion, raising its fiscal 2026 guidance to $8.815 billion in subscription revenue, reflecting strong demand and operational discipline [7] - First Advantage Corporation has shown solid financial performance, meeting high-end projections and experiencing positive momentum in international markets, particularly in its Digital Identity solutions [8][9] - Barrett Business Services combines HR outsourcing with professional management consulting, emphasizing personalized client interactions and local market expertise, which supports its sustained growth [10][11][12]