Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global enterprise revenues for Q4 2025 were $1.302 billion, down 6% year-over-year on a reported basis and down 7% on an adjusted basis [4] - Net income per share for the quarter was $0.32, compared to $0.53 in Q4 2024 [5] - Cash flow from operations was $183 million, an 18% increase over Q4 2024 [6] - Return on invested capital was 10% in Q4 2025 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Talent Solutions revenues were down 9% year-over-year on an adjusted basis, with U.S. revenues at $623 million and non-U.S. revenues at $200 million [7] - Protiviti's global revenues in Q4 were $479 million, with U.S. revenues down 6% and non-U.S. revenues up 9% year-over-year [8] - Gross margin for Talent Solutions was 46.7% in Q4 2025, compared to 46.4% in Q4 2024 [9] - Protiviti's adjusted gross margin was 22.8% for the quarter, down from 25.1% last year [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Contract Talent Solutions bill rates increased by 3.2% year-over-year, adjusted for revenue mix [8] - The number of billing days in Q4 2025 was 61.4, slightly down from 61.6 in Q4 2024 [7] - The unemployment rate remains low, with significant pent-up demand for skilled professionals [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities and support clients' talent and consulting needs through its industry-leading brand and unique business model [5] - Protiviti's pipeline remains strong across all major solution areas, with a focus on technology modernization and data optimization [23] - The company is exploring innovative pricing strategies in response to AI developments, considering outcome-based pricing models [66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a return to sequential growth for the first time since early 2022, with a more conducive macro environment [18] - Concerns about a near-term economic downturn have moderated, with hiring plans holding steady among small businesses [19] - The company expects to return to positive year-over-year growth by Q3 2026, driven by improved client engagement and decision timelines [31] Other Important Information - The company distributed a cash dividend of $0.59 per share, totaling $59 million [6] - The tax rate for Q4 was 32%, up from 28% the previous year, due to non-deductible expenses [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the top line and margin improvement - Management indicated that if current trends continue, positive year-over-year growth could be expected by Q3 2026 [31] - Steps for efficiency include retaining top producers and leveraging AI for better matching and prospect ranking [32] Question: Comments on the permanent placement market - Management believes the permanent placement market is stronger than it appears, with SMB clients facing challenges in hiring due to a lean workforce [33] Question: Labor uncertainty due to AI - Management acknowledged that uncertainty around AI may lead clients to prefer flexible workers, but current demand for full-time hires remains stable [37] Question: Protiviti's headcount and revenue growth - Management noted that Protiviti has hidden capacity due to underutilized full-time staff and contractors, allowing for potential revenue growth without significant headcount increases [42] Question: Pricing environment for Protiviti - The pricing environment remains competitive, with no significant changes expected, but there is potential for cost-of-living increases to be passed on to clients [91]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global enterprise revenues for Q4 2025 were $1.302 billion, down 6% year-over-year on a reported basis and down 7% on an adjusted basis [3][4] - Net income per share for the quarter was $0.32, compared to $0.53 in Q4 2024 [4] - Cash flow from operations was $183 million, an 18% increase over Q4 2024 [4] - Return on invested capital was 10% in Q4 [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Talent Solutions revenues were down 9% year-over-year on an adjusted basis, with U.S. revenues at $623 million and non-U.S. revenues at $200 million [6][8] - Protiviti's global revenues in Q4 were $479 million, with U.S. revenues down 6% and non-U.S. revenues up 9% year-over-year [8][10] - Gross margin for Talent Solutions was 46.7%, up from 46.4% in Q4 2024, while Protiviti's gross margin was 21.9%, down from 24.9% [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Currency exchange rate movements increased reported total revenues by $15 million, with $10 million attributed to Talent Solutions and $5 million to Protiviti [7] - Contract Talent Solutions bill rates increased by 3.2% compared to the previous year [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities and support clients' talent and consulting needs through its industry-leading brand and unique business model [4][23] - The strategic engagement of contract professionals is essential for Protiviti's success and enhances the company's competitive advantage [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a return to sequential growth for the first time since early 2022, with a more conducive macro environment and improved client engagement [17][18] - Concerns about a near-term economic downturn have moderated, with significant pent-up demand for skilled professionals [18][19] - The company expects to see positive year-over-year growth in the third quarter of 2026 based on current trends [26][35] Other Important Information - The company distributed a cash dividend of $0.59 per share, totaling $59 million [5] - The tax rate for Q4 was 32%, up from 28% in the previous year, due to increased non-deductible expenses [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the top line and efficiency improvements - Management expects to return to positive year-over-year growth in the third quarter, with efficiency improvements from retaining top producers during the downturn [26][27] Question: Labor uncertainty due to AI - Management noted that while AI may drive interest in flexible workers, current demand for full-time hires remains stable, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses [29] Question: Protiviti's headcount growth plans - Management indicated that Protiviti has hidden capacity due to underutilized full-time staff and contractors, allowing for growth without significant headcount increases [30][31] Question: Pricing environment and AI impact - The pricing environment remains competitive, with ongoing discussions about transitioning to more outcome-based pricing models [39][47] Question: Confidence in the ACS business line - Management expressed confidence in the ACS segment, noting that customer service areas performed better than expected despite overall weakness [40] Question: Seasonal trends for Q2 - Management indicated that Q2 typically sees modest revenue declines on the contract side but expects better margins as Protiviti recovers from seasonal lows [32][44]

Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, net income was $32 million, or $0.32 per share, on revenues of $1.302 billion, a decrease of 6% from Q4 2024 revenues of $1.382 billion [2]. - For the full year 2025, net income was $133 million, or $1.33 per share, on revenues of $5.379 billion, compared to $252 million, or $2.44 per share, on revenues of $5.796 billion in 2024 [2]. - Total service revenues for the year 2025 were $5.379 billion, with contract talent solutions contributing $2.990 billion, down from $3.358 billion in 2024 [16]. - Protiviti segment revenues for Q4 2025 were $478.961 million, slightly down from $488.759 million in Q4 2024 [16]. - Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025, were $464.435 million, down from $537.583 million in 2024 [17]. - Total stockholders' equity decreased to $1.276 billion in 2025 from $1.378 billion in 2024 [17]. Revenue Trends - Global enterprise revenues for Q4 2025 showed a 7% decline on an adjusted basis, but talent solutions and enterprise revenues returned to positive sequential growth for the first time in over three years [3]. - Weekly revenue trends during Q4 2025 indicated positive momentum, which continued into the first three weeks of January 2026 [3]. - For the three months ended December 31, 2025, total talent solutions revenue was $384,730,000, representing a gross margin of 46.7% [23]. - The total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $2,002,313,000, with a gross margin of 37.2% [23]. - Total talent solutions revenue for Q4 2025 was $391.9 million, representing a 47.6% margin, compared to $375.5 million and a 44.4% margin in Q4 2024 [26]. - For the year ended December 31, 2025, total revenue was $1.93 billion, with a 35.8% margin, compared to $2.01 billion and a 34.6% margin in 2024 [26]. Gross Margin Analysis - Adjusted gross margin for total talent solutions in 2025 was 46.8%, compared to 46.9% in 2024 [23]. - The company reported a gross margin of 39.2% for contract talent solutions in Q4 2025, slightly up from 39.1% in Q4 2024 [23]. - Permanent placement talent solutions maintained a gross margin of 99.8% for both Q4 2025 and Q4 2024 [23]. - For the year ended December 31, 2025, Protiviti's adjusted gross margin was 21.6%, compared to 22.8% in 2024 [23]. - The company’s total talent solutions revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $1,802,743,000, with a gross margin of 46.9% [23]. Operating Income and Expenses - Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses for Q4 2025 were $275.2 million, or 38.2% of revenue, down from $290.3 million, or 37.0% of revenue in Q4 2024 [26]. - The company reported a total of $1.12 billion in adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025, which is 37.4% of revenue, compared to $1.19 billion and 39.9% in 2024 [26]. - For the three months ended December 31, 2025, the total operating income was $22,451,000, reflecting a 1.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [29]. - Protiviti's operating income for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $112,368,000, which is a 5.8% increase from $106,092,000 in 2024 [29]. - The total talent solutions segment reported an operating loss of $12,145,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to a loss of $25,076,000 in 2024, indicating a significant improvement [29]. Market Position and Strategy - The company was recognized by Fortune as one of the World's Most Admired Companies™ for nearly three decades, highlighting its strong market position [4]. - The company plans to continue focusing on attracting and retaining qualified management personnel and enhancing its service offerings amid competitive pressures [8]. - The company continues to focus on improving operational efficiency and reducing costs, as indicated by the decrease in adjusted expenses [26]. - Future outlook includes continued investment in talent solutions and potential market expansion strategies [26]. Year-over-Year Growth Rates - The company reported a year-over-year revenue growth rate of -10.2% for total talent solutions in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024 [32]. - The Protiviti segment experienced a year-over-year growth rate of 11.1% in Q3 2025, indicating resilience in this area despite overall declines in other segments [32]. - The year-over-year growth rate for contract talent solutions in the U.S. was -10.4% in Q3 2025, reflecting ongoing challenges in this market [32]. - The company adjusted its financial measures to reflect a total of $82,330,000 in adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2025, which included reclassifications related to employee deferred compensation [29]. - Q3 2024 global revenue growth for Finance and Accounting reported at -9.2%, adjusted to -10.5% after accounting for billing days and currency impact [38].

Leadership Promotions - Danti Chen has been promoted to senior vice president, applications, technology and innovation, and head of data science, leading a world-class data science organization that has launched advanced capabilities like AI Recommended Client (ARC) [1] - Bhavit Desai has been promoted to senior vice president, business transformation, focusing on digital products that enhance customer experiences and productivity through advanced AI capabilities [2] - Clint Maples has been promoted to senior vice president and chief information security officer, having built a global information security organization that strengthens security and data protection while aligning investments with business risk [3] Company Commitment - The promotions reflect the company's commitment to advancing innovation, strengthening security, and driving business transformation, as stated by M. Keith Waddell, president and CEO of Robert Half [4] Company Overview - Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting skilled job seekers with opportunities and helping organizations build high-performing teams across various sectors [4]

Core Viewpoint - Robert Half Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings results on January 29, 2026, at approximately 4:05 p.m. EST, followed by a conference call at 5 p.m. EST [1] Group 1 - The conference call can be accessed by dialing 800-330-6710 or +1-213-279-1505 for international participants, with a confirmation code of 3700616 [1] - A recording of the conference call will be available for replay starting at approximately 8 p.m. EST on January 29, lasting for 12 months [2] - The audio format of the conference call will also be archived on the company's website [2] Group 2 - Robert Half is recognized as the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, providing contract talent and permanent placement solutions across various fields [2] - The company has received accolades such as being named one of America's Most Innovative Companies by Fortune and recognized as a Fortune Most Admired Company and one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For [2]

Core Insights - Robert Half has been recognized as one of the 2026 World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune, marking its 29th consecutive year of receiving this honor, making it the only company in its industry to achieve this distinction [1][2]. Company Overview - Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, providing contract talent and permanent placement solutions across various fields including finance, accounting, technology, marketing, legal, and administrative support [4]. - The company also owns Protiviti, a global consulting firm that offers internal audit, risk, business, and technology consulting solutions [4]. Recognition and Values - The recognition as a Most Admired Company is based on a survey of approximately 15,000 senior executives, directors, and analysts who evaluate companies on nine key criteria, including innovation and talent retention [2]. - The president and CEO of Robert Half, M. Keith Waddell, emphasized that this recognition reflects the commitment of employees and the trust clients place in the company, highlighting core values such as integrity, inclusion, innovation, and commitment to success [3].

Core Insights - Protiviti has been awarded the Microsoft Frontier Partner badge, recognizing its leadership in delivering innovative AI solutions focused on people, business, and transformation [1][2][3] - The badge signifies Protiviti's commitment to a business-centric approach that combines AI agents with human ingenuity to drive innovation and impact [2][3] Company Overview - Protiviti is a global consulting firm providing expertise in various domains including finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, HR, risk, and internal audit, with over 90 offices in more than 25 countries [4] - The firm has been named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 11 consecutive years and serves over 80% of Fortune 100 and nearly 80% of Fortune 500 companies [5] AI Solutions and Collaboration - As a Microsoft Frontier Partner, Protiviti will collaborate with Microsoft to develop AI agentic offerings and solutions tailored to specific business challenges [3][7] - The company aims to create and deploy advanced AI agents within Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Foundry, and Microsoft 365 Dynamics solutions, focusing on scaling next-generation AI solutions [7]

Core Insights - Protiviti has promoted 15 individuals to leadership positions, including managing director, senior director, and vice president, to address increasing business challenges for clients and colleagues [1][2] - The promotions reflect the talent and innovative thinking within the firm, contributing to its growth and the creation of rewarding career paths [2] - In addition to the leadership promotions, over 700 employees have been promoted across various global locations, indicating significant organizational growth [3] Leadership Promotions - New Managing Directors include Garrett Burnell (Houston), Alok Gupta (Chicago), Grace Hinton (Minneapolis), Emmily Hu (New York City), Josh Kaptur (Metro D.C.), Holly Lindstrom (Minneapolis), Christopher O'Connell (Charlotte, N.C.), Daniel O'Leary (Houston), Andrew Prabucki (Charlotte, N.C.), Prakash Rajandran (Melbourne), Amit Ranjan (Tokyo), and Puneet Sabharwal (New Delhi) [2] - New Senior Directors are Konstantinos Karagiannis (New York City) and Kasia Klosowska (Chicago) [3] - The new Vice President is Megan Giezen from Brisbane [3] Global Presence - Protiviti operates in over 25 countries, with promotions occurring in locations such as Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S. [3] - The firm has been recognized on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for 11 consecutive years, serving over 80% of Fortune 100 and nearly 80% of Fortune 500 companies [5]

Core Insights - During market turbulence, investors often seek dividend-yielding stocks, which typically have high free cash flows and offer substantial dividends [1] Group 1: United Parcel Service Inc (UPS) - UPS has a dividend yield of 6.14% [3] - JP Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $97 to $99 [3] - Citigroup analyst Ariel Rosa maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $120 to $126 [3] - UPS is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 27, 2026 [3] Group 2: Karat Packaging Inc (KRT) - KRT has a dividend yield of 7.21% [5] - B of A Securities analyst George Staphos downgraded the stock from Buy to Underperform and reduced the price target from $27 to $22 [5] - Truist Securities analyst Jake Bartlett maintained a Hold rating and raised the price target from $28 to $31 [5] - KRT posted mixed quarterly results on November 6, 2025 [5] Group 3: Robert Half Inc (RHI) - RHI has a dividend yield of 8.33% [8] - Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $45 to $36 [8] - BMO Capital analyst Jeffrey Silber maintained a Market Perform rating and reduced the price target from $36 to $31 [8] - RHI reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results on October 22, 2025 [8]

Core Insights - Two executives from Robert Half have been recognized in the Staffing Industry Analysts' 2026 North America Staffing 100 list for their exceptional leadership in the staffing industry [1] Group 1: Executive Contributions - Paul F. Gentzkow has been instrumental in Robert Half's global expansion, growing revenue from $220 million in 1992 to $3.85 billion in 2024, and expanding operations to over 300 locations worldwide [2] - George Denlinger has held various senior leadership roles since joining Robert Half in 1998, currently overseeing U.S. technology and marketing practice groups, and is recognized for his leadership and community involvement [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, providing contract talent and permanent placement solutions across various fields including finance, technology, and legal [4]