Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross revenue for the third quarter totaled $2.6 billion, representing a roughly 10% decline year-over-year and a 7% decline on a revenue ex-billable basis [20][21] - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $285 million, translating to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.9% [23] - Net income for the third quarter was $200 million, a 7% increase year-over-year, while adjusted net income was $215 million, an increase of about 9% [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The national security portfolio declined about 1% year-over-year, but grew about 4% when adjusting for the impact of the government shutdown [21] - The civil business experienced a significant decline of about 28% year-over-year, with expectations for stability in the remainder of the fiscal year [21][54] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net bookings for the third quarter totaled $888 million, resulting in a quarterly book-to-bill ratio of 0.3 times and a trailing 12-month book-to-bill of 1.1 times [21] - Funded backlog fell 10% year-over-year, but ended the calendar year with a record backlog of over $38 billion, up about 2% from the prior year [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three priorities: reducing costs, accelerating the transition to outcome-based contracting and product sales, and concentrating investments on growth vectors like cyber, national security, partnerships, and AI [7][12] - A new partnership with Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z) aims to co-create technology solutions for national security and public safety, with Booz Allen committing to deploy up to $400 million in A16Z's late-stage venture fund [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's trajectory, anticipating improved funding in the fourth quarter and a tightening of revenue guidance to between $11.3 billion and $11.4 billion for the fiscal year [29] - The company expects to generate free cash flow between $825 million and $900 million, indicating a strong operational outlook despite challenges [29] Other Important Information - The company recognized a $7 million pre-tax gain from the divestiture of DARPA's Cedar work, which is excluded from non-GAAP adjusted income [24] - The company ended the quarter with $882 million in cash and a net leverage ratio of 2.5x adjusted EBITDA for the trailing 12 months [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the end market expectations for FY27? - Management indicated that defense and intelligence are expected to grow, while civil is anticipated to remain flat, with signs of improvement in the civil sector [34][36] Question: Can you elaborate on the cost reduction plan? - Management confirmed that the cost reduction actions were completed during the quarter, with some impact expected in Q4 but primarily setting up for next fiscal year [44][46] Question: How is the pace of contract award activity? - Management noted that December saw a significant increase in funding activity, with January starting strong, indicating a positive trend in awards [47][49] Question: What is the outlook for funded backlog? - Management expressed optimism about the funded backlog, with strong funding in December and a positive demand environment for the upcoming fiscal year [79][80] Question: How does the company prepare for potential changes in the defense budget? - Management stated that they have been preparing to support key priorities and are positioned to respond to changes in funding, emphasizing agility in operations [71][73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross revenue for the third quarter totaled $2.6 billion, representing a roughly 10% decline year-over-year and a 7% decline on a revenue ex-billable basis [18] - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $285 million, translating to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.9% [22] - Third-quarter net income was $200 million, a 7% increase year-over-year, while adjusted net income increased by about 9% to $215 million [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The national security portfolio declined about 1% year-over-year, but grew approximately 4% when adjusting for the impact of the government shutdown [19] - The civil business experienced a significant decline of about 28% year-over-year, with expectations for stability in the remainder of the fiscal year [19] - Net bookings for the third quarter totaled $888 million, resulting in a quarterly book-to-bill ratio of 0.3 times [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Funded backlog fell 10% year-over-year, but ended the calendar year with a record year-end backlog of over $38 billion, up about 2% from the prior year [21] - The qualified pipeline for fiscal year 2027 stands at nearly $53 billion, which is 12% higher than the fiscal year 2026 pipeline at the same point last year [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three priorities: reducing costs, accelerating the transition to outcome-based contracting and product sales, and concentrating investments on growth vectors like cyber, national security, partnerships, and AI [6][11] - A new partnership with Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z) aims to co-create unique commercial technology for national security and public safety, with Booz Allen committing to deploy up to $400 million in A16Z's late-stage venture fund [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's operational and strategic trajectory, anticipating continued demand for national security technology and expertise [27] - The company expects quarter four funding to improve over quarter three but remain slower than usual, tightening revenue guidance to between $11.3 billion and $11.4 billion [26] Other Important Information - The company recognized a $7 million pre-tax gain from the divestiture of DARPA's Cedar work, which is excluded from non-GAAP adjusted income [23] - The board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share, payable on March 2nd [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: End market expectations for FY27 - Management indicated that the national security business is expected to grow, while civil may remain flat, with signs of improvement in the civil sector [29] Question: Cost reduction plan - The cost reduction actions have been completed, with some impact expected in Q4, but the full effect will be felt in the next fiscal year [33][34] Question: Funded backlog and growth in fiscal 2027 - Management noted that awards are beginning to accelerate, with strong funding activity observed in December and January, positioning the company for growth [47] Question: Increased competition from new players - The competitive landscape has evolved, with a focus on leveraging unique relationships with tech companies to create opportunities [48] Question: Tactical selling and on-contract growth - Management acknowledged the importance of matching customer needs with solutions, noting encouraging signs in funding and pipeline growth [50]

Financial Performance - Q3 FY26 - Revenue decreased by 10.2% to $2.6 billion, primarily due to a slowed procurement and funding environment, including the government shutdown[47] - Revenue excluding billable expenses decreased by 6.7% to $1.8 billion[13, 24] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 14.2% to $285 million, with adjusted EBITDA margins at 10.9%, a decrease of 50 bps[13, 24] - Adjusted Diluted EPS increased by 14.2% to $1.77, driven by profitability and tax benefits[13, 14] - Free Cash Flow increased by 85.1% to $248 million due to higher collections, lower payables, and lower tax payments[13, 47] Backlog and Book-to-Bill - Backlog increased by 2% year-over-year to $38 billion[14] - Quarterly book-to-bill was 0.3x, and LTM book-to-bill was 1.1x[14] Capital Deployment - $125 million was deployed in share repurchases during the third quarter, representing 1.1% of outstanding shares[16] - The board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share, a 7% increase[16] - A $400 million capital commitment was made for a partnership with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)[16] FY26 Financial Outlook - Revenue is projected to be $11.3 - $11.4 billion, representing a decrease of 5.0 - 6.0%[18] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $1,195 - $1,215 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin on revenue in the mid 10% range[18] - Adjusted Diluted EPS is projected to be $5.95 - $6.15[18] - Free Cash Flow is expected to be $825 - $900 million[18]

Group 1: Market Overview - US stock futures declined, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures down approximately 0.2% and S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 contracts both dropping 0.1% due to Intel's disappointing earnings [1][2] - The S&P 500 is expected to face back-to-back weekly losses as investor sentiment shifts, despite temporary relief from President Trump's softened rhetoric regarding Greenland and tariffs [3] Group 2: Intel's Performance - Intel reported a quarterly loss and a worse-than-expected outlook, struggling to meet demand for server chips used in AI data centers, leading to a more than 10% drop in shares before the market opened [2][8] - The company's revenue for the third quarter declined 10% year-over-year to $2.6 billion, missing Wall Street estimates of $2.7 billion, although adjusted profits rose to $1.77 per share, surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.27 [6][7] Group 3: Booz Allen Hamilton - Booz Allen Hamilton's stock rose 7% in premarket trading after a significant drop over the past year, indicating a reacceleration of government contracts following cost-cutting efforts [4][5] - The company's sales backlog increased by 2% year-over-year to $38 billion in the third quarter, with the CEO expressing optimism about growth in both national security and civil business sectors [5] Group 4: Emerging Markets and Commodities - Emerging-market stocks and currencies are experiencing a surge as investors shift away from US assets, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index on track for its longest winning streak since May [15][16] - Gold prices are rising, with forecasts suggesting it could reach $5,400 by the end of 2026, contributing to a strong performance in the precious metals market [3][21]

In the consulting industry’s era of AI upheaval, even job titles aren’t safe from change. Deloitte is preparing to overhaul job titles for its U.S. workforce as part of a sweeping “modernization” effort, as originally reported by Business Insider. According to an internal presentation seen by BI, the firm is shifting away from a workforce structure that was originally designed for “traditional consulting profiles,” a model the firm now deems outdated. Deloitte confirmed the coming change in a statement t ...

Core Insights - IBM is expected to report higher revenues in its Consulting segment due to increased demand for technology consulting and business transformation services [1] Group 1: Consulting Segment Performance - The Consulting segment includes Strategy and Technology and Intelligent Operations, providing consulting and application management services that leverage industry and technology expertise [2] - IBM's partnership with Microsoft has been extended, enhancing its consulting capabilities through the integration of Microsoft's Copilot with IBM Consulting Advantage [3] - The integration of AI tools has resulted in significant efficiency gains, saving IBM 250,000 hours annually, which translates to $35 million in value [4] Group 2: Revenue Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Consulting revenues is projected at $5.43 billion, an increase from $5.17 billion in the same quarter last year [5] - Total revenue for IBM is estimated at $19.22 billion, up from $17.55 billion in the prior-year quarter, with earnings expected to grow to $4.33 per share from $3.92 [5] Group 3: Earnings Predictions - Current analysis does not predict an earnings beat for IBM in the fourth quarter, with an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [6]

Core Insights - Grant Thornton UK has launched a new service called CFO Solutions, aimed at providing tailored advice to finance leaders [1] - The service is structured around the CFO Scorecard, focusing on four key elements of the CFO role: value creation, stakeholder management, operational delivery, and business protection [2] Service Structure - CFO Solutions is designed to address high-priority areas identified by CFOs, including forecasting, talent development, ESG reporting, and AI adoption, as highlighted in the Finance Leaders Barometer [3] - The service is adaptable for finance leaders across various industries and company sizes, divided into five stages: assess, design, fix, run, and connect [3] Stages of CFO Solutions - The "assess" stage identifies obstacles limiting finance function performance and efficiency [4] - The "design" phase focuses on developing practical solutions collaboratively [4] - The "fix" stage emphasizes implementing these solutions alongside internal finance teams for quick visible improvements [4] - The "run" phase involves direct support in daily finance activities, including outsourcing and resource capacity [5] - The final "connect" stage offers insights, events, and networking opportunities for CFOs [5] Leadership and Expertise - Sarah Hughes has been appointed as the key delivery lead for CFO Solutions, bringing over 20 years of experience from KPMG in advising on transactions, business decisions, and regulatory changes [6]

Core Insights - Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading management and technology consulting firm, offering services in analytics, engineering, digital solutions, and cybersecurity, which has helped secure long-term contracts globally [1] Financial Performance - The company is set to release its quarterly earnings on January 23, 2026, with analysts estimating earnings per share of $1.26 and projected revenue of $2.73 billion [2][6] - Booz Allen's stock price has surged by 12.8% over the past month, significantly outperforming the industry's growth rate of 1.1% [2] Strategic Initiatives - A strategic partnership with Andreessen Horowitz aims to enhance advanced technology solutions for government applications, reinforcing Booz Allen's position in technical innovation [3][6] Valuation Metrics - The company is trading at a P/E ratio of approximately 14.30, a price-to-sales ratio of about 1.01, and an enterprise value to sales ratio of around 0.96, indicating a slightly lower valuation considering debt and cash [4] - The earnings yield is about 6.99%, suggesting a solid return on investment [4][6] Financial Health - Booz Allen has a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.33, indicating a moderate level of debt compared to equity, and a current ratio of about 1.76, showing the ability to cover short-term liabilities [5]

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]