Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted EPS for Q4 2025 of -$0.60 and adjusted EBITDA of -$13 million, with an additional operating expense of $2.8 million due to accelerated sales office consolidation [3][4] - The average number of paid worksite employees increased by 1.1% to 312,377 compared to Q4 2024, although this was slightly below forecast due to client net hiring volatility [3][4] - For the full year 2025, adjusted EBITDA declined by 51% to $131 million, and adjusted EPS declined by 71% to $1.03 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross profit per worksite employee in Q4 2025 was $183 per month, generally in line with forecasts, while operating expenses decreased by 6% compared to Q4 2024 [4][5] - The company invested $15 million in HRScale during Q4 2025, compared to $19 million in Q4 2024, indicating a shift in investment strategy [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced significant challenges in the small and medium-sized business market due to ongoing economic uncertainty and healthcare claim cost increases, impacting growth and profitability [9][21] - Client retention averaged 99% per month during Q4, with worksite employees paid from new clients increasing by 6% over Q4 2024 [4][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance margin recovery and regain growth momentum through HR360 sales and the rollout of HRScale, a new solution designed for mid-market companies [8][12] - A three-year plan has been initiated to return to targeted growth and profitability metrics, with a focus on margin recovery in the first year and balanced growth in the second year [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in 2025, including rising benefits costs and macroeconomic factors, but expressed confidence in the strategies implemented for profitability recovery in 2026 [21][24] - The company expects growth for 2026 to be between -1.5% to +1.5% compared to 2025, with a focus on improving pricing and client selection strategies [11][23] Other Important Information - The company amended its credit facility, increasing borrowing capacity and extending the maturity date, which provides additional financial flexibility [7] - The company plans to continue returning capital to shareholders through dividends, having paid $90 million in cash dividends for the year [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on HRScale momentum and expected employee numbers? - Management expressed confidence in achieving 6,000-8,000 employees on HRScale by year-end, prioritizing larger clients and balancing new accounts [31][32] Question: What are the expected healthcare claims dynamics for 2026? - Management indicated that healthcare claims trends are expected to remain elevated, but steps have been taken to mitigate costs through negotiations and plan design changes [36] Question: How significant is the trend of client-sponsored healthcare plans? - Management noted that this is both a strategic initiative and a market response, allowing for better client options and reduced risk on the benefit side [39][40] Question: What is the retention rate for the year and client reactions to renewals? - The retention rate was approximately 83%, with positive client reactions to efforts made to manage costs and improve service [62] Question: What are the cash flow expectations for 2026? - Management expects capital expenditures to return to historical levels, with a focus on managing cash flow effectively throughout the year [46][47]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted EPS of -$0.60 and adjusted EBITDA of -$13 million for Q4 2025, with adjusted EPS improving to -$0.54 and adjusted EBITDA to -$11 million when excluding a $2.8 million expense related to sales office consolidation [3][4] - For the full year 2025, the average number of paid worksite employees increased by 1% to just over 310,000, while adjusted EBITDA declined by 51% to $131 million and adjusted EPS declined by 71% to $1.03 [21][29] - Operating expenses in Q4 2025 decreased by 6% compared to Q4 2024, with total investments in HRScale amounting to $15 million [5][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross profit per worksite employee in Q4 2025 was $183 per month, generally in line with forecasts, while benefits costs were within expected ranges [4] - Worksite employees paid from new clients increased by 6% over Q4 2024, and client retention averaged 99% per month during Q4 [4][6] - The company experienced a decrease in operating expenses due to the consolidation of sales offices, which contributed to a more favorable operating environment [5][6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced challenges in the small and medium-sized business market due to ongoing economic uncertainty and employment stagnation, impacting client net hiring [9][10] - The healthcare claim costs industry-wide increased, contributing to a significant gross profit margin squeeze [9][10] - The company expects growth for 2026 to be between -1.5% to +1.5% compared to 2025, reflecting the impact of client retention and hiring dynamics [11][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance margin recovery and regain growth momentum through HR360 sales and the rollout of HRScale, a new solution designed for mid-market companies [8][15] - A three-year plan has been initiated to return to targeted growth and profitability metrics, focusing on margin recovery in year one and balanced growth in year two [18][19] - The company is also focusing on client pricing and selection strategies to improve gross profit margins [12][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in 2025 but expressed confidence in the strategies implemented to recover profitability in 2026 [21][22] - The company anticipates a significant improvement in profitability drivers and expects to see a step-up in pricing in January 2026 [23][24] - Management highlighted the importance of innovative strategies to enhance sales retention and client experience, particularly through the HRScale rollout [13][15] Other Important Information - The company amended its credit facility, increasing borrowing capacity and extending the maturity date, which provides additional financial flexibility [7] - The company paid $22 million in dividends during Q4 and $90 million for the full year, indicating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on HRScale momentum and client expectations? - Management expressed confidence in achieving 6,000-8,000 employees on HRScale by year-end, prioritizing larger clients and balancing new accounts [31][32] Question: What are the expected healthcare claims dynamics for 2026? - Management indicated that healthcare claims trends are expected to remain elevated, but steps have been taken to mitigate costs through negotiations and plan design changes [36] Question: How is the company addressing client-sponsored healthcare plans? - Management views client-sponsored plans as both a strategic initiative and a response to market conditions, allowing for better risk management and client flexibility [39][40] Question: What is the retention rate and client reaction during renewals? - The retention rate for the year was approximately 83%, with positive client feedback on efforts to manage costs and improve service [62] Question: How will the company manage cash flow and capital expenditures in 2026? - Management expects capital expenditures to return to historical levels, with a focus on managing cash flow effectively throughout the year [46][48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted EPS for Q4 2025 at -$0.60 and adjusted EBITDA at -$13 million, with adjusted EPS excluding additional operating expenses at -$0.54 and adjusted EBITDA at -$11 million [3][4] - The average number of paid worksite employees increased by 1.1% to 312,377 compared to Q4 2024, although this was slightly below forecast due to client net hiring volatility [3][4] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year declined by 51% to $131 million, and adjusted EPS declined by 71% to $1.03 [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross profit per worksite employee in Q4 2025 was $183 per month, aligning with forecasts, while operating expenses decreased by 6% compared to Q4 2024 [4][5] - The company invested $15 million in HRScale during Q4 2025, compared to $19 million in Q4 2024, indicating a shift in investment strategy [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced challenges in the small and medium-sized business market, with employment stagnation impacting growth and profitability [9][10] - Client retention averaged 99% per month during Q4, with worksite employees paid from new clients increasing by 6% over Q4 2024 [4][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance margin recovery and regain growth momentum through HR360 and the rollout of HRScale, targeting a three-year plan for profitability recovery [19][12] - The HRScale solution is expected to significantly increase the total addressable market and improve client retention, with beta clients scheduled to go live soon [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted ongoing uncertainty in the labor market and elevated healthcare claim costs as significant challenges for 2026 [9][10] - The company expects growth for 2026 to be between -1.5% to +1.5% compared to 2025, with a focus on margin recovery strategies [11][25] Other Important Information - The company amended its credit facility, increasing borrowing capacity and extending the maturity date, which provides additional financial flexibility [6] - The company plans to reduce operating expenses by $20 million in 2026 through headcount adjustments and lower HRScale investment costs [28][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: HRScale momentum and employee numbers - Management expressed confidence in achieving 6,000-8,000 employees on HRScale by year-end, with a focus on larger clients first and a strong prospect base [32][33] Question: Healthcare claims dynamics - The expected claims trend remains elevated, but management is implementing strategies to mitigate costs, including renegotiated contracts [35] Question: Client-sponsored healthcare plans - Management views client-sponsored plans as both a strategic initiative and a response to market conditions, allowing for reduced risk [37] Question: Churn and profitability of clients - Management noted a significant difference in profitability between remaining clients and those who terminated, indicating a focus on retaining higher-quality clients [38] Question: Cash flow expectations for 2026 - Management expects capital expenditures to return to historical levels, with a focus on managing cash flow effectively [40] Question: Retention rates and client reactions - The retention rate for the year was approximately 83%, with positive client reactions to efforts made to manage costs and improve service [49]

Safe Harbor Statement The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You can identify such forward-looking statements by the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "forecasts," "likely," "possibly," "probably," "could," "goal," "opportunity," "objective," "target," "assume," "outlook," "guidance ...

Financial Performance - Q3 2025 - Q3 average paid worksite employees increased by 1%[8] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 74%[11] - Adjusted EPS decreased by 151%[11] - Operating expenses decreased by 4% compared to Q3 2024[13] Financial Performance - YTD September 2025 - Average paid worksite employees increased by 1%[15] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 42%[18] - Adjusted EPS decreased by 54%[18] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - Adjusted Cash was $120 million as of September 30, 2025[20] - Total Debt was $369 million as of September 30, 2025[20] - Adjusted EBITDA was $144 million YTD September 30, 2025[20] Q4 and FY 2025 Outlook - Q4 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is projected at $(25) million, a decrease of 209% year-over-year[22] - FY 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is projected between $119 million and $153 million, a decrease of 56% to 43% year-over-year[22] - FY 2025 Adjusted EPS is projected between $0.84 and $1.47, a decrease of 77% to 59% year-over-year[22]