Korn Ferry's Strategic Shift and Financial Highlights
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Strong Financial Performance: Korn Ferry reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.40 for the fourth quarter, exceeding the Zacks consensus estimate of $1.37, while revenues rose 6.7% year-over-year to $759.8 million, indicating sustained growth despite uneven macro conditions.
- Strategic Transformation: The company plans to shift to regional reporting starting in Q1 FY2027, consolidating its operations into three segments: Americas, EMEA, and APAC, aiming to enhance market penetration and competitiveness through tighter client relationships and cross-regional sales.
- Cross-Selling Success: The business referral rate reached 29.1% in the fourth quarter, up 320 basis points year-over-year, demonstrating significant progress in cross-selling efforts, particularly with Marquee and Diamond accounts contributing 40% of revenue.
- Disciplined Capital Allocation: Korn Ferry repurchased 1.24 million shares for $78.8 million in the quarter and returned $221 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in FY2026, reflecting a cautious and strategic approach to capital management.
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Analyst Views on KFY
Wall Street analysts forecast KFY stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 67.770
Low
72.00
Averages
73.00
High
74.00
Current: 67.770
Low
72.00
Averages
73.00
High
74.00
About KFY
Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm. The Company delivers its services through five Solution areas which are consulting, digital, executive search, professional search and interim, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO). Its consulting business helps clients design and implement the talent strategies, organizational structures, and workforce capabilities and rewards to drive growth. Its digital business includes the development, integration and commercialization of products in the Korn Ferry Talent Suite, as well as enabling technology across its other Solution areas. Its executive search business delivers executive recruitment across global markets, powered by expertise and industry/sector specialization, and its own top-tier executive search professionals. Its professional search and interim focuses on recruiting and interim talent solutions. Its RPO provides outsourced hiring solutions that deliver talent acquisition services for enterprise clients.
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.
Korn Ferry Q4 Earnings: Sustained Growth and Strategic Shift
- Sustained Performance: Korn Ferry reported consolidated fee revenue of $760 million in Q4 FY2026, reflecting a 7% year-over-year growth, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of revenue increase, which underscores the effectiveness of its strategic initiatives and strong market demand.
- Contract Fee Growth: As of Q4, estimated remaining fees under existing contracts grew by 10% year-over-year to nearly $1.9 billion, indicating growth across all solution areas and enhancing the sustainability of future revenues.
- Share Buyback Program: The company repurchased 1.24 million shares at a cost of approximately $78 million in Q4, demonstrating confidence in its intrinsic value and providing returns to shareholders, which is expected to positively impact earnings per share.
- Future Outlook: For Q1 FY2027, fee revenue is expected to range between $725 million and $745 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin around 17%, indicating a positive outlook for future performance despite challenges posed by geopolitical risks.
See More
Korn Ferry's Strategic Shift and Financial Highlights
- Strong Financial Performance: Korn Ferry reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.40 for the fourth quarter, exceeding the Zacks consensus estimate of $1.37, while revenues rose 6.7% year-over-year to $759.8 million, indicating sustained growth despite uneven macro conditions.
- Strategic Transformation: The company plans to shift to regional reporting starting in Q1 FY2027, consolidating its operations into three segments: Americas, EMEA, and APAC, aiming to enhance market penetration and competitiveness through tighter client relationships and cross-regional sales.
- Cross-Selling Success: The business referral rate reached 29.1% in the fourth quarter, up 320 basis points year-over-year, demonstrating significant progress in cross-selling efforts, particularly with Marquee and Diamond accounts contributing 40% of revenue.
- Disciplined Capital Allocation: Korn Ferry repurchased 1.24 million shares for $78.8 million in the quarter and returned $221 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in FY2026, reflecting a cautious and strategic approach to capital management.
See More
Korn Ferry Reports Revenue Growth and Shareholder Returns
- Revenue Growth: Korn Ferry reported $2.9 billion in fee revenue for the full year, up 7%, indicating robust market performance that is likely to bolster investor confidence moving forward.
- Shareholder Returns: The company returned $221 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2026, demonstrating strong cash flow and a commitment to enhancing shareholder value.
- Business Growth: Professional search and interim fee revenue increased by 14% in Q4, reflecting the company's success in high-demand sectors, particularly in technology and finance.
- Future Outlook: The Q1 FY27 fee revenue is projected to be between $725 million and $745 million, showcasing the company's confidence in future growth despite geopolitical challenges.
See More
Multiple Companies Announce Quarterly Cash Dividends
- Applied Industrial Dividend: Applied Industrial Technologies declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.51 per share, payable on August 31, 2026, indicating the company's stable financial health and commitment to shareholders.
- Korn Ferry Dividend and Buyback: Korn Ferry announced a cash dividend of $0.55 per share, payable on July 31, 2026, while also repurchasing 1.2 million shares this quarter, reflecting a balanced capital allocation strategy and commitment to long-term value creation.
- Rithm Capital Dividend: Rithm Capital declared a second-quarter dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on July 31, 2026, showcasing the company's ongoing profitability and dedication to shareholder returns.
- Reaves Utility Dividend Increase: Reaves Utility Income Fund announced a 5% increase in its annual distribution to $2.52, paid monthly at $0.21, demonstrating sustained growth since 2004 and enhancing its appeal to investors.
See More
Korn Ferry Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.55
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Korn Ferry has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract income-focused investors.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.25% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially increasing investor interest in its stock, especially amid rising economic uncertainties.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on July 31, with a record date of July 6 and an ex-dividend date also on July 6, providing investors with a clear timeline for their investment decisions.
- Market Expectations: Despite the dividend announcement, analysts do not expect Korn Ferry's shares to skyrocket in the near term, which may affect investor sentiment and the stock's short-term performance.
See More
Korn Ferry Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Korn Ferry reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.40, exceeding expectations by $0.02, indicating stable profitability and enhanced market confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $768.3 million, a 6.7% year-over-year increase, surpassing estimates by $23.15 million, reflecting strong competitive positioning and sustained client demand.
- Increased Contract Fees: As of the end of Q4, estimated remaining fees under existing contracts stood at $1.9 billion, up 10% year-over-year, highlighting potential revenue growth and business expansion opportunities.
- Cautious Market Outlook: Despite the strong earnings report, analysts express caution regarding the stock's short-term price surge, which may impact investor confidence and market reactions.
See More
Korn Ferry Q4 Earnings: Sustained Growth and Strategic Shift
- Sustained Performance: Korn Ferry reported consolidated fee revenue of $760 million in Q4 FY2026, reflecting a 7% year-over-year growth, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of revenue increase, which underscores the effectiveness of its strategic initiatives and strong market demand.
- Contract Fee Growth: As of Q4, estimated remaining fees under existing contracts grew by 10% year-over-year to nearly $1.9 billion, indicating growth across all solution areas and enhancing the sustainability of future revenues.
- Share Buyback Program: The company repurchased 1.24 million shares at a cost of approximately $78 million in Q4, demonstrating confidence in its intrinsic value and providing returns to shareholders, which is expected to positively impact earnings per share.
- Future Outlook: For Q1 FY2027, fee revenue is expected to range between $725 million and $745 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin around 17%, indicating a positive outlook for future performance despite challenges posed by geopolitical risks.
See More
Korn Ferry's Strategic Shift and Financial Highlights
- Strong Financial Performance: Korn Ferry reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.40 for the fourth quarter, exceeding the Zacks consensus estimate of $1.37, while revenues rose 6.7% year-over-year to $759.8 million, indicating sustained growth despite uneven macro conditions.
- Strategic Transformation: The company plans to shift to regional reporting starting in Q1 FY2027, consolidating its operations into three segments: Americas, EMEA, and APAC, aiming to enhance market penetration and competitiveness through tighter client relationships and cross-regional sales.
- Cross-Selling Success: The business referral rate reached 29.1% in the fourth quarter, up 320 basis points year-over-year, demonstrating significant progress in cross-selling efforts, particularly with Marquee and Diamond accounts contributing 40% of revenue.
- Disciplined Capital Allocation: Korn Ferry repurchased 1.24 million shares for $78.8 million in the quarter and returned $221 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in FY2026, reflecting a cautious and strategic approach to capital management.
See More
Korn Ferry Reports Revenue Growth and Shareholder Returns
- Revenue Growth: Korn Ferry reported $2.9 billion in fee revenue for the full year, up 7%, indicating robust market performance that is likely to bolster investor confidence moving forward.
- Shareholder Returns: The company returned $221 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2026, demonstrating strong cash flow and a commitment to enhancing shareholder value.
- Business Growth: Professional search and interim fee revenue increased by 14% in Q4, reflecting the company's success in high-demand sectors, particularly in technology and finance.
- Future Outlook: The Q1 FY27 fee revenue is projected to be between $725 million and $745 million, showcasing the company's confidence in future growth despite geopolitical challenges.
See More
Multiple Companies Announce Quarterly Cash Dividends
- Applied Industrial Dividend: Applied Industrial Technologies declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.51 per share, payable on August 31, 2026, indicating the company's stable financial health and commitment to shareholders.
- Korn Ferry Dividend and Buyback: Korn Ferry announced a cash dividend of $0.55 per share, payable on July 31, 2026, while also repurchasing 1.2 million shares this quarter, reflecting a balanced capital allocation strategy and commitment to long-term value creation.
- Rithm Capital Dividend: Rithm Capital declared a second-quarter dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on July 31, 2026, showcasing the company's ongoing profitability and dedication to shareholder returns.
- Reaves Utility Dividend Increase: Reaves Utility Income Fund announced a 5% increase in its annual distribution to $2.52, paid monthly at $0.21, demonstrating sustained growth since 2004 and enhancing its appeal to investors.
See More
Korn Ferry Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.55
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Korn Ferry has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract income-focused investors.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.25% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially increasing investor interest in its stock, especially amid rising economic uncertainties.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on July 31, with a record date of July 6 and an ex-dividend date also on July 6, providing investors with a clear timeline for their investment decisions.
- Market Expectations: Despite the dividend announcement, analysts do not expect Korn Ferry's shares to skyrocket in the near term, which may affect investor sentiment and the stock's short-term performance.
See More
Korn Ferry Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Korn Ferry reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.40, exceeding expectations by $0.02, indicating stable profitability and enhanced market confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $768.3 million, a 6.7% year-over-year increase, surpassing estimates by $23.15 million, reflecting strong competitive positioning and sustained client demand.
- Increased Contract Fees: As of the end of Q4, estimated remaining fees under existing contracts stood at $1.9 billion, up 10% year-over-year, highlighting potential revenue growth and business expansion opportunities.
- Cautious Market Outlook: Despite the strong earnings report, analysts express caution regarding the stock's short-term price surge, which may impact investor confidence and market reactions.
See More
