Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q2 2025 EPS of $0.26 and adjusted EBITDA of $32 million, slightly below the forecasted range due to higher than expected benefits costs [5][6] - Average paid worksite employees increased by 0.7% year-over-year to 309,115, with new sales contributing to a 2% increase in worksite employees [5][6] - Gross profit per worksite employee decreased to $240 per month from $282 in 2024, primarily due to increased benefits costs [6][7] - Benefits costs per covered employee increased by 9.6% year-over-year in Q2 and by 9% year-to-date [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Client renewals averaged 99% per month, consistent with prior year results, indicating strong client retention [5][6] - Net hiring within the client base showed improvement, slightly exceeding expectations and Q2 2024 levels, but still below historical norms [6][7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that large claim frequency remains elevated, particularly for cancer and heart-related conditions, but did not observe adverse selection among new clients [7][8] - The overall economic environment for small and medium-sized businesses is showing signs of stabilization, which may lead to improved hiring trends [25][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing plans to improve profitability in 2026 through pricing increases, plan design changes, and contract negotiations with UHC [9][10] - A new HR solution portfolio was announced, including Insperity HR 360, Insperity HR Core, and Insperity HR Scale, aimed at expanding the total addressable market [17][18] - The company is investing in AI capabilities to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving accelerated growth and improved profitability in 2026 despite current challenges [14][25] - The company is optimistic about the potential for recovery in gross profit margins and operating expense management [26][30] - Recent federal legislation is seen as a catalyst for expansion in the SMB community, potentially improving hiring trends [25][28] Other Important Information - Operating expenses decreased by 3% year-over-year, with significant reductions in travel and professional fees [12] - The company returned $22 million in cash dividends to shareholders during the quarter and repurchased 224,000 shares at a cost of $19 million [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Financial impact of Workday partnership in 2026 - Management indicated it is too early to predict the exact revenue and profitability impact from the Workday partnership, but they are excited about the progress [35][36] Question: Net client hiring dynamics - There has been an improvement in underlying hiring levels, although still below historical norms, with expectations for continued improvement [42][43] Question: Investment visibility and expenses related to Workday - The original $150 million investment is still considered appropriate, with expectations that some expenses will become capitalizable as the product nears launch [47][48] Question: Healthcare cost management strategies - Pricing changes are the primary method to manage rising healthcare costs, with plan design changes and contract negotiations as secondary strategies [65][66] Question: Timing for broader marketing efforts - Broader marketing efforts are expected to ramp up in 2026, following the beta testing phases [71][72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross billings increased by 9.5% year-over-year to $2.09 billion in Q1 2025 compared to $1.91 billion in Q1 2024 [17] - PEO gross billings rose by 10% to $2.07 billion, while staffing revenues declined by 10% to $18 million [17] - Average billing per worksite employee (WSE) increased by 2.6% in the quarter [18] - The net loss per diluted share was $0.04 compared to a net loss of $0.01 per diluted share in the same quarter last year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Worksite employees grew by 7.6% in the quarter, driven by a record number of new client additions [18] - Staffing operations experienced a decline of 10% year-over-year, attributed to macroeconomic headwinds [6][17] - The company added approximately 7,900 worksite employees year-over-year from net new clients [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The East Coast region saw a growth of 14%, Southern California grew by 11%, Mountain region by 9%, Northern California by 6%, while the Pacific Northwest declined by 1% [19] - Southern California represents the largest region for the company, achieving double-digit growth due to consistent client additions and hiring [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on geographic expansion with plans to open new physical locations in Chicago, Dallas, and Nashville by early Q3 [8][31] - Investments in new markets and product offerings, including a new health insurance product, are expected to drive future growth [9][10] - The company aims to enhance the employee life cycle experience through technology investments and product launches throughout the year [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding the economic environment, noting potential impacts on client hiring and investment [14][15] - Despite a strong start to the year, the company is maintaining its outlook for billings growth and worksite employee growth due to economic uncertainties [24] - The company believes that small businesses benefit from PEO relationships during challenging times, positioning itself for sustainable growth [15] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $9 million of shares in Q1 under its $75 million repurchase program [24] - The company paid $2.1 million in dividends during the quarter and reaffirmed its dividend for the following quarter [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What percentage of clients have direct tariff exposure? - Management indicated that most clients are in service industries with minimal direct exposure, primarily facing indirect impacts from increased material costs [28] Question: Is there an annual goal for new physical offices? - Management stated that the number of new physical locations depends on market development rather than a fixed annual target [30] Question: How much growth could come from geographic expansion over the next five years? - Management views geographic expansion as a long-term investment, expecting profitability to materialize in year three and beyond [34] Question: Are existing clients or new clients driving growth in benefits? - The company has seen a shift towards a more balanced contribution from both existing and new clients in the benefits segment [42] Question: Is the company displacing more legacy PEOs than before? - Management noted that while many new clients are first-time PEO users, there is an increase in PEO takeaways in certain markets [46] Question: How is pricing trending in the current economic backdrop? - Management reported that workers' compensation pricing has moderated, with minimal fluctuations expected [54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross billings increased by 9.5% year-over-year to $2.09 billion in Q1 2025 compared to $1.91 billion in Q1 2024 [17] - PEO gross billings rose by 10% to $2.07 billion, while staffing revenues declined by 10% to $18 million [17] - Average billing per worksite employee (WSE) increased by 2.6% in the quarter [18] - The company reported a net loss per diluted share of $0.04 compared to a net loss of $0.01 per diluted share in the same quarter last year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The number of PEO worksite employees grew by 7.6% in the quarter, driven by a record number of new client additions [18] - Staffing operations experienced a decline of 10% year-over-year, attributed to macroeconomic headwinds [6][17] - The company added approximately 7,900 worksite employees year-over-year from net new clients [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The East Coast region saw a 14% growth in PEO gross billings, while Southern California grew by 11% [19] - The Pacific Northwest region, however, experienced a decline of 1% in gross billings [19] - Total hours and overtime hours increased modestly year-over-year, indicating stability in client operations [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on geographic expansion with plans to open new physical locations in Chicago, Dallas, and Nashville by early Q3 [8][31] - Investments in technology and product enhancements are ongoing, including the launch of a new applicant tracking system [11][63] - The company aims to enhance the employee life cycle experience through additional product launches throughout the year [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding the economic environment, noting potential impacts on client hiring and investment [14][24] - Despite a strong start to the year, the company is maintaining its outlook for gross billings growth between 7% to 9% for the year [24] - The company believes that small businesses benefit from PEO relationships during challenging economic times, positioning itself for sustainable growth [15] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $9 million of shares in Q1 under its $75 million repurchase program [24] - The balance sheet remains strong with $99 million in unrestricted cash and investments and no debt [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: What percentage of clients have direct tariff exposure? - Management indicated that most clients are service businesses with indirect exposure to tariffs, primarily affecting materials and supplies [28] Question: Is there an annual goal for new physical offices? - Management stated that the number of new physical locations depends on market development rather than a fixed annual target [30] Question: How much is the benefits side driving new client growth? - The benefits offering has shifted to a more balanced contribution between existing and new clients, with significant success in attracting new clients [41][42] Question: Are there any areas that have not performed as expected? - Management acknowledged that while there are ongoing investments in technology, some products may take longer to gain traction [65]

Earnings Call and Webcast Q1 2025 Q1 results reflecting macroeconomic turbulence and healthcare cost volatility in stark contrast with the solid execution of our game plan for building the foundation for future growth acceleration Three initiatives expected to mitigate the recent healthcare trend effects in 2026 include recently implemented pricing plan, 2026 health plan design changes, and early contract renewal negotiations with UnitedHealthcare. Continued focus on the Insperity/Workday strategic partners ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2024, gross billings increased by 10% to $2.25 billion compared to $2.05 billion in Q4 2023, while diluted earnings per share rose by 17% to $0.63 from $0.54 in the prior year quarter [20] - For the full year 2024, gross billings grew by 7.9% to $8.3 billion from $7.7 billion in the previous year, and diluted earnings per share increased by 7% to $1.98 from $1.85 [21] - Average billing per worksite employee (WSE) increased by 3.3% in Q4 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - PEO (Professional Employer Organization) gross billings increased by 10% in Q4, while staffing revenues declined by 9% to $20 million [21] - PEO worksite employees grew by 5.2% in Q4, driven by a record number of new client additions [21][22] - Staffing business declined by 9% year-over-year, but the rate of decline has slowed significantly compared to the previous year [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 gross billings growth by region showed East Coast growth at 21%, Southern California at 11%, Mountain region at 10%, Northern California at 5%, and Pacific Northwest declining by 4% [22] - The Pacific Northwest region, while the smallest, is expected to return to growth in 2025 after stabilizing trends [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on an asset-light model and expanding into new geographies, with a record number of worksite employees added from new clients [5][6] - Continued investment in technology and product development, including the launch of new products like the BBSI Applicant Tracking System, is aimed at enhancing client support and operational efficiency [15][50] - The company aims to enhance its value proposition by integrating technology into its service offerings, particularly for white-collar clients [46][66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued hiring trends in 2025, despite client growth remaining below historical averages [10][18] - The company anticipates gross billings and average WSEs to strengthen in 2025, with expected growth rates between 7% and 9% [29] - Management noted that while wage rates are increasing, they are seeing stability in client hiring metrics, which is a positive indicator for future growth [34][35] Other Important Information - The company achieved a Net Promoter Score increase of five points to 69, indicating strong client satisfaction [6][7] - The company has a strong balance sheet with $122 million in unrestricted cash and no debt, allowing for continued investments and shareholder returns [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are clients saying about growth in the current environment? - Management noted stability and recovery in metrics, with consistent wage inflation and improved hiring trends observed in Q3 and Q4 [34][35] Question: Is the majority of average WSE growth coming from new clients? - Yes, the majority of growth is attributed to controllable growth from new client additions and retention [36] Question: Can you discuss the mechanics of healthcare revenue? - The company earns through reseller fees and administrative fees, providing value through compliance and IT services [39][40] Question: Are there any signs of a turnaround in the workers' compensation pricing market? - Management indicated a deceleration in rate decreases but no clear bottom has been identified yet [56][57] Question: What is the exposure to businesses affected by California wildfires? - Minimal impact was reported on employees and branches, with expectations of future business opportunities arising from rebuilding efforts [58][60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted EPS of $0.05 per share and adjusted EBITDA of $23 million for Q4 2024, exceeding the midpoint of expectations [5] - The average number of paid worksite employees was 309,093, a decrease of 2% from Q4 2023, reflecting weak client hiring [5][6] - Total gross profit declined by 2% from Q4 2023 due to the decrease in paid worksite employees, while gross profit per worksite employee was $235 per month, slightly above expectations [5][6] - For the full year 2024, adjusted EBITDA was $270 million and adjusted EPS was $3.58, both above initial guidance [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 37% increase in worksite employees paid from new clients compared to Q4 2023, indicating strong performance in client acquisition [5] - Client retention averaged 99% for the quarter, demonstrating effective retention strategies [5] - Operating expenses increased by 17% over Q4 2023, primarily due to investments in the Workday strategic partnership [6][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The small to mid-sized business client base experienced nearly flat net growth in worksite employees for 2024, the lowest level in two decades excluding recession years [14] - The National Federation of Independent Business January Small Business Optimism Index reached its highest level in six years, indicating improved sentiment among small business owners [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to regain growth momentum through a successful fall sales and client retention campaign, with a focus on key initiatives for 2025 [11][17] - The strategic partnership with Workday is expected to enhance long-term growth and profitability, with significant milestones anticipated in 2025 [21][29] - The company is implementing a role-based approach to optimize its sales organization and improve service efficiency across its HR solutions [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a shift in small and mid-sized business decision-makers' mindsets post-election, leading to increased optimism and hiring expectations for 2025 [15][16] - The company conservatively forecasts net client hiring to improve in 2025 but remains below historical levels, with expected worksite employee growth of 2% to 4% over 2024 [31][32] - Management emphasized the importance of aligning sales, service, and pricing teams to drive results in 2025 [30] Other Important Information - The company plans to spend approximately $62 million on the Workday strategic partnership in 2025, up from $57 million in 2024 [34] - The expected benefits cost trend for 2025 is forecasted to be between 5% to 6.5%, compared to 4.3% in 2024 [32][33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the sales leads from the Workday partnership and their impact on client retention? - Management indicated significant progress in the go-to-market strategy and expects improved lead flow and client retention as the joint solution is developed [40][42] Question: How will the operating expenses related to Workday be structured throughout the year? - Operating expenses are expected to be relatively steady throughout the year, with a small drop-off after completing the corporate component [43] Question: What is the outlook for net hiring in 2025? - Management anticipates a gradual improvement in net hiring, weighted towards the second half of the year, with expectations of a return to mid-single-digit growth rates [60][61] Question: How is the competitive pricing environment affecting new sales and retention? - Management noted that while the competitive environment is significant, they have maintained strong pricing and developed unique incentives to attract clients without compromising long-term pricing strategies [66][68] Question: Can you elaborate on the sales optimization strategy and its expected benefits? - The sales optimization strategy focuses on streamlining sales efforts across different HR solutions, which is expected to enhance accountability and improve sales efficiency [54][55]