Core Viewpoint - Star Equity Holdings, Inc. is actively engaging with investors through presentations and one-on-one meetings at the Sidoti's Micro-Cap Virtual Investor Conference scheduled for January 21-22, 2026 [1][2]. Company Overview - Star Equity Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company focused on building long-term shareholder value by acquiring, managing, and growing businesses with strong fundamentals and market opportunities [3]. - The company operates through four divisions: Building Solutions, Business Services, Energy Services, and Investments [3]. Recent Developments - On August 22, 2025, the company completed the acquisition of Star Operating Companies, Inc., which was previously known as Star Equity Holdings, Inc. This merger resulted in the company changing its name and trading symbols on Nasdaq to STRR and STRRP effective September 5, 2025 [4]. Division Summaries - **Building Solutions**: This division operates in three niches: modular building manufacturing, structural wall panel and wood foundation manufacturing, and glue-laminated timber (glulam) column, beam, and truss manufacturing [5]. - **Business Services**: This division provides flexible and scalable recruitment solutions to a global clientele, focusing on mid-market and enterprise organizations [6]. - **Energy Services**: This division is involved in the rental, sale, and repair of downhole tools used in various industries including oil and gas, geothermal, mining, and water-well [7]. - **Investments**: This division manages and finances the company's real estate assets and investment positions in both private and public companies [8].

Looking ahead, Bower said fee earner levels are now “broadly appropriate” for current market conditions, and that 2026 will focus on driving further fee earner productivity by maximizing the sales funnel and ensuring teams highlight the company’s broader talent solutions to clients.On productivity, Bower said the company continued to see year-on-year improvement. In specialist recruitment, perm placements per perm fee earner rose 2% to 0.84, supported by double-digit growth in the U.K. and Southern Europe. ...

Core Insights - PageGroup reported a decline in gross profit for Q4 and the full year of 2025, highlighting uneven regional trading conditions and cautious client behavior [8] Regional Performance - **Asia-Pacific (16% of group)**: Q4 gross profit increased by 6.4%, with Asia growing by 7% and Southeast Asia up by 8%. Greater China grew by 5%, with Mainland China up by 10% [1] - **Americas (19% of group, excluding Argentina)**: Gross profit grew by 2.4% in Q4, with the U.S. rising by 5% and Brazil up by 6%. Mexico declined by 17% due to tariff uncertainty, while Colombia rose by 22% [2] - **Europe, Middle East and Africa (53% of group)**: Gross profit declined by 8.9% year over year in Q4, with France falling by 17% and Germany declining by 5%. Spain rose by 10% [3] Management Commentary - Management noted mixed regional trends, with ongoing growth in the U.S. and Asia, while continental Europe and the U.K. showed weakness. The U.S. achieved its fifth consecutive quarter of growth [4] - The conversion of offers to placements was identified as a significant challenge, with clients tightening budgets and becoming more risk-averse [7][10] Staffing and Productivity - Fee earner headcount fell by 75 (1.5% reduction), primarily in Europe, ending the period with 4,968 fee earners [5] - Despite a challenging environment, productivity improved, with gross profit per fee earner increasing by 3% compared to Q4 2024 [6] Financial Outlook - PageGroup's net cash was approximately GBP 31 million at the end of December, with expectations of an outflow of GBP 20 million to GBP 25 million in January related to bonuses [11][12] - The company expects full-year operating profit for 2025 to be broadly in line with current market consensus of GBP 21.1 million, focusing on cost control and strategic resource allocation [14]

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Demand for workers in AI, regulation, data reporting and other ​specialist skills drove vacancies in Britain's ‌financial sector up 12% in 2025, recruiting firm Morgan McKinley ‌said on Monday, as companies sought to keep up in a technology arms race. The year-on-year increase happened despite a slowdown in the fourth ⁠quarter, as volatility ‌in global markets and uncertainty about the government's November budget prompted caution ‍in hiring managers, Morgan McKinley's London Em ...

There’s a moment most small fleet owners reach — usually late at night, staring at parked trucks — where the thought creeps in: “Maybe I just need help finding drivers.” It sounds simple. Logical, even. But recruiting isn’t just about finding people. It’s about filtering, selling, onboarding, and retaining — all at the same time. And that’s where many small carriers get tripped up. Third-party driver recruiting companies can be powerful tools. They can also become expensive crutches that mask deeper p ...

Summary of the Conference Call on Japanese IP/Brands Industry Overview - The focus is on the Japanese IP (Intellectual Property) and consumer brands, which are characterized by high functionality, craftsmanship, and technology. Notable examples include Dragon Ball, Super Mario Bros., and Uniqlo's Heattech [2][3]. Core Insights - **Profit Pool Growth**: From FY15 to FY25E, the profit pool for selected Japanese IP/brands increased from ¥1.2 trillion to ¥2.4 trillion, with overseas exposure expanding 3.0 times from ¥0.4 trillion to ¥1.2 trillion, compared to a 1.6 times increase in domestic exposure [3][19]. - **Sustainable Growth Factors**: Key factors for sustainable growth in IP/brands include: 1. **IP/Brand Value**: Unique positioning and added value are crucial for monetization [30]. 2. **Value Chain Strengthening**: Diversification of the portfolio enhances monetization potential [31]. 3. **Consumer Experience**: Products that allow consumers to easily perceive functionality and quality have a higher probability of sustainable growth [22][41]. Investment Recommendations - **Highlighted Stocks**: The report recommends 11 Buy-rated stocks, including: - Asics - Food & Life Companies - Ryohin Keikaku - Fast Retailing - Sony Group - Nintendo - Recruit Holdings - Konami Group - Toyo Suisan - Kotobuki Spirits - Shiseido (upgraded from Neutral to Buy) [3][19]. Performance Disparities - Significant disparities in stock performance were noted, with Capcom's market cap growing approximately 11 times compared to Square Enix's 3.4 times. For brands, Asics and Kotobuki Spirits rose 5.5 times, while Calbee, Meiji HD, and Pola Orbis HD lagged at 0.6 times [3][19]. Earnings and Share Price Drivers - An analysis of 27 Japanese companies revealed that while some achieved sustained profit expansion, others experienced volatility. The three necessary factors for sustainable growth were identified as: 1. **Consumer Experience**: High functionality and quality products. 2. **Brand-Building Capabilities**: Effective communication and supply chain management. 3. **Market Share**: High market share can act as a tailwind for growth [20][21][22]. Financial Projections - Operating profits for the 27 companies are projected to grow significantly, with total operating profits expected to reach ¥2.4 trillion by FY25E, driven by increased overseas exposure [24][43]. Risks and Considerations - Potential risks include economic slowdowns, changes in consumer preferences, and increased competition, particularly in sectors like cosmetics where differentiation is challenging [38][46]. Conclusion - The Japanese IP and consumer brands are positioned for growth, driven by expanding overseas markets and strong brand values. However, companies must navigate challenges related to market dynamics and consumer preferences to sustain this growth trajectory [19][41].

最近，一款面向全球招聘市场的"AI猎头"应用引起资本市场关注。亚洲初创企业NGA宣布，旗下的人工智能招聘平台 HelloBoss 完成 A 轮融资，由贝塔 斯曼集团通过 BAI 资本投资，资金将主要用于AI Agent及前后端产品等技术研发、全球市场拓展以及多个岗位的人员扩张。此前，HelloBoss已获得数十 位日本知名天使投资人、云启资本及风投机构GOLDEN EGG的3轮投资。 「HelloBoss」首次发布于2023年，2025年12月推出专注于招聘场景的AI Agent，借助拥有自有专利的AI匹配算法能力，实现招聘场景的流程自动化，从 而提升企业与求职者的双向沟通效率与匹配成功率。目前HelloBoss平台上在线职位数已超过50万个，客户包括阿里巴巴、SHEIN、DIOR、希尔顿、谷 歌、日立、罗森、三得利等众多全球企业。 NGA创始人王沁曾在国际知名HR企业Recruit集团任职5年，曾创立文娱插画师声优出海平台JCCD.com，并在海外出版书籍《中国移动互联网图鉴》。公 司技术顾问由前BOSS直聘首席科学家薛延波博士担任，开发团队主要来自字节跳动、腾讯、阿里巴巴、滴滴、Indeed、微软研究院等 ...

Group 1 - Employers maintain steady hiring activity during the holiday season, contrary to the belief that they pause interviews [1][2] - Companies aim to fill positions before the end of the year to utilize their talent-acquisition budgets effectively [2][3] - Job seekers can benefit from lighter competition during the holidays, as many others may pause their job searches [3][6] Group 2 - Networking during the holiday season is advantageous, as individuals are generally more receptive to outreach [5][6] - Delaying networking until January may result in lower response rates due to increased busyness from new projects [6] - The job market is expected to become more competitive in January as many individuals resume their job searches [6] Group 3 - Job hunting during the holidays can be mentally challenging due to distractions from holiday activities [7][8] - Maintaining a consistent job application routine can help mitigate the distractions of the holiday season [8]

Shares of Korn Ferry ( KFY ) have been a poor performer over the past year, losing about 10% of their value. With fears about the labor market continuing to grow, recruiting-related stocks have faced renewed pressure in recent months. Given its diversified business model, I haveOver fifteen years of experience making contrarian bets based on my macro view and stock-specific turnaround stories to garner outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile. If you want me to cover a specific stock or have a ...

Shares of Korn Ferry ( KFY ) have been a poor performer over the past year, losing about 10% of their value. With fears about the labor market continuing to grow, recruiting-related stocks have faced renewed pressure in recent months. Given its diversified business model, I haveOver fifteen years of experience making contrarian bets based on my macro view and stock-specific turnaround stories to garner outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile. If you want me to cover a specific stock or have a ...