BBSI Reaffirms 2026 Outlook with 3% to 5% Gross Billings Growth
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 06 2026
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BBSI reaffirms its outlook for 2026, including gross billings growth of 3% to 5%; Growth in the average number of WSEs of 2% to 4%; Gross margin as a percent of gross billings of 2.70% to 2.85%; and effective annual tax rate to remain at 26% to 27%.
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Analyst Views on BBSI
About BBSI
Barrett Business Services, Inc. provides business management solutions for small and mid-sized companies. It has developed a management platform that integrates a knowledge-based approach from the management consulting industry with tools from the human resource outsourcing industry. Its services include professional employer services (PEO) and staffing. PEO services include entering into a client services agreement to establish a co-employment relationship with each client company, assuming responsibility for payroll, workers’ compensation (if elected) and benefits coverage (if elected) and certain other administrative functions for the client's existing workforce. It provides its PEO clients with access to human resource advisors, retirement plans, a learning management system and its web-based technology platform, myBBSI. Staffing services include on-demand or short-term staffing assignments, contract staffing, direct placement and long-term or indefinite-term on-site management.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Barrett Business Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.08 per Share
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Barrett Business has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's ongoing ability to maintain stable cash flow, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 1.09% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially boosting shareholder confidence and stabilizing the stock price.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on June 5, with a record date of May 22 and an ex-dividend date also on May 22, ensuring that eligible shareholders receive their dividends promptly, thereby strengthening the shareholder base.
- Financial Performance Highlights: Barrett Business reported a non-GAAP EPS of -$0.13 for Q1 2026, beating expectations by $0.02, while revenue reached $307.01 million, exceeding forecasts by $2.07 million, showcasing the company's positive performance in revenue growth and cost management.
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- Employee Growth and Market Expansion: The company added approximately 5,300 worksite employees from new clients, while new market entries contributed about 550 new worksite employees, showcasing the effectiveness of its asset-light model despite overall growth being constrained by client downsizing.
- Financial Challenges and Responses: Staffing revenues declined by 21% to $14 million in the quarter; however, the company successfully placed 90 applicants, leveraging its recruiting expertise to support PEO clients, demonstrating competitive strength in challenging conditions.
- Outlook and Strategic Reaffirmation: Management reiterated its full-year outlook, expecting gross billings growth between 3% and 5% and worksite employee growth between 2% and 4%, maintaining a cautiously optimistic view for the future despite client hiring rates being below historical norms.
See More
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- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $307.01 million, a 4.9% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $2.07 million, reflecting strong competitive positioning and stable client demand.
- 2026 Outlook Reaffirmed: BBSI reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, projecting gross billings growth of 3% to 5% and a 2% to 4% increase in the average number of WSEs, demonstrating confidence in future market conditions.
- Stable Gross Margin: The company anticipates a gross margin as a percentage of gross billings between 2.70% and 2.85% for 2026, with an effective annual tax rate maintained at 26% to 27%, ensuring financial stability moving forward.
See More
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- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Barrett Business has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 1.02% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially appealing to investors seeking stable income.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend will be payable on March 27, with a record date of March 13 and an ex-dividend date also on March 13, ensuring shareholders receive their earnings promptly.
- Dividend Growth Potential: According to BBSI's dividend scorecard and yield chart, the company's potential for dividend growth is noteworthy, possibly providing additional returns for future investors.
See More
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- Strong Performance: Barrett Business Services reported total gross billings of $9 billion for 2025, an 8.6% year-over-year increase, with diluted earnings per share rising 5% to $2.08, demonstrating resilience amid challenges despite slightly lower Q4 revenue.
- Significant Employee Growth: The company added approximately 8,300 worksite employees in 2025, although client workforce reductions exceeded expectations, particularly in California and the construction sector, highlighting successful expansion in white-collar verticals and effective strategic sales initiatives.
- Ongoing Technology Investments: Multiple product releases in 2025 and plans for a performance management module beta release in Q2 2026 indicate the company's commitment to technological innovation aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Management anticipates gross billings growth of 3% to 5% in 2026, reflecting a cautious stance due to macroeconomic pressures and weak client hiring trends, while emphasizing a continued focus on controllable growth and market expansion.
See More
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- Earnings Performance: Barrett Business reported Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.64, meeting market expectations, while revenue of $321.13 million, reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year increase, fell short by $2.3 million, indicating some revenue growth challenges for the company.
- Future Outlook: The company anticipates gross billings growth of 3% to 5% by 2026, with an expected 2% to 4% increase in the average number of WSEs, suggesting a cautiously optimistic view on future growth despite a slowdown in growth rates.
- Gross Margin Expectations: By 2026, Barrett expects gross margin as a percentage of gross billings to be between 2.70% and 2.85%, reflecting strategic considerations in cost control and profitability aimed at enhancing overall financial health.
- Tax Rate Forecast: The effective annual tax rate is projected to be between 26% and 27%, which will impact future net profit performance, and investors should monitor its potential effects on overall profitability.
See More
Barrett Business Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.08 per Share
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Barrett Business has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's ongoing ability to maintain stable cash flow, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 1.09% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially boosting shareholder confidence and stabilizing the stock price.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on June 5, with a record date of May 22 and an ex-dividend date also on May 22, ensuring that eligible shareholders receive their dividends promptly, thereby strengthening the shareholder base.
- Financial Performance Highlights: Barrett Business reported a non-GAAP EPS of -$0.13 for Q1 2026, beating expectations by $0.02, while revenue reached $307.01 million, exceeding forecasts by $2.07 million, showcasing the company's positive performance in revenue growth and cost management.
See More
Barrett Business Services, Inc. Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Performance Overview: Barrett Business Services reported a 3.5% increase in gross billings to $2.16 billion in Q1 2026, up from $2.09 billion in Q1 2025, indicating resilience amid economic uncertainties.
- Employee Growth and Market Expansion: The company added approximately 5,300 worksite employees from new clients, while new market entries contributed about 550 new worksite employees, showcasing the effectiveness of its asset-light model despite overall growth being constrained by client downsizing.
- Financial Challenges and Responses: Staffing revenues declined by 21% to $14 million in the quarter; however, the company successfully placed 90 applicants, leveraging its recruiting expertise to support PEO clients, demonstrating competitive strength in challenging conditions.
- Outlook and Strategic Reaffirmation: Management reiterated its full-year outlook, expecting gross billings growth between 3% and 5% and worksite employee growth between 2% and 4%, maintaining a cautiously optimistic view for the future despite client hiring rates being below historical norms.
See More
Barrett Business Services Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Barrett Business Services reported a Q1 Non-GAAP EPS of -$0.13, beating expectations by $0.02, indicating resilience despite ongoing losses.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $307.01 million, a 4.9% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $2.07 million, reflecting strong competitive positioning and stable client demand.
- 2026 Outlook Reaffirmed: BBSI reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, projecting gross billings growth of 3% to 5% and a 2% to 4% increase in the average number of WSEs, demonstrating confidence in future market conditions.
- Stable Gross Margin: The company anticipates a gross margin as a percentage of gross billings between 2.70% and 2.85% for 2026, with an effective annual tax rate maintained at 26% to 27%, ensuring financial stability moving forward.
See More
Barrett Business Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Barrett Business has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 1.02% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially appealing to investors seeking stable income.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend will be payable on March 27, with a record date of March 13 and an ex-dividend date also on March 13, ensuring shareholders receive their earnings promptly.
- Dividend Growth Potential: According to BBSI's dividend scorecard and yield chart, the company's potential for dividend growth is noteworthy, possibly providing additional returns for future investors.
See More
Barrett Business Services Reports Q4 2025 Earnings Insights
- Strong Performance: Barrett Business Services reported total gross billings of $9 billion for 2025, an 8.6% year-over-year increase, with diluted earnings per share rising 5% to $2.08, demonstrating resilience amid challenges despite slightly lower Q4 revenue.
- Significant Employee Growth: The company added approximately 8,300 worksite employees in 2025, although client workforce reductions exceeded expectations, particularly in California and the construction sector, highlighting successful expansion in white-collar verticals and effective strategic sales initiatives.
- Ongoing Technology Investments: Multiple product releases in 2025 and plans for a performance management module beta release in Q2 2026 indicate the company's commitment to technological innovation aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Management anticipates gross billings growth of 3% to 5% in 2026, reflecting a cautious stance due to macroeconomic pressures and weak client hiring trends, while emphasizing a continued focus on controllable growth and market expansion.
See More
Barrett Business Q4 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Performance: Barrett Business reported Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.64, meeting market expectations, while revenue of $321.13 million, reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year increase, fell short by $2.3 million, indicating some revenue growth challenges for the company.
- Future Outlook: The company anticipates gross billings growth of 3% to 5% by 2026, with an expected 2% to 4% increase in the average number of WSEs, suggesting a cautiously optimistic view on future growth despite a slowdown in growth rates.
- Gross Margin Expectations: By 2026, Barrett expects gross margin as a percentage of gross billings to be between 2.70% and 2.85%, reflecting strategic considerations in cost control and profitability aimed at enhancing overall financial health.
- Tax Rate Forecast: The effective annual tax rate is projected to be between 26% and 27%, which will impact future net profit performance, and investors should monitor its potential effects on overall profitability.
See More
