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Robert Half Stock Jumps 13% After Q3 Earnings Beat
Why is Robert Half stock up today?
Robert Half (RHI) stock rose 13% to $42.58 in Friday morning trading after a third-quarter earnings beat, as its main staffing business grew for the first time since 2022.
Key numbers
| Q3 profit per share | $0.49+14% YoY; beat $0.47 forecast |
|---|---|
| Q3 revenue | $1.359Bflat YoY, in line with forecasts |
| Talent Solutions revenue | $875.8M+2% YoY (adjusted) |
| Adjusted operating margin | 5.3%up from 4.5% |
| Q4 profit-per-share guidance | $0.36–$0.46midpoint +30% YoY |
| Share price (Fri morning) | $42.58+13.1% vs Thursday's $37.68 close |
What happened
Robert Half (RHI) stock rose 13% to $42.58 in Friday morning trading after a third-quarter earnings beat, as its main staffing business grew for the first time since 2022. Shares had gained 8.8% on Thursday, then traded about 10% higher before the market opened Friday. Profit per share was $0.49, above the $0.47 analysts expected, while sales of $1.36 billion matched forecasts. Talent Solutions, which places workers in temporary and permanent jobs, grew 2% from a year ago on an adjusted basis.
Why it matters
Robert Half helps companies hire accountants, finance staff and tech workers, so its results are often read as a clue about office hiring. Its main staffing business had not grown in nearly four years, so a 2% rise hints that employers are hiring again. The recovery is still slow, and Goldman Sachs says contract staffing growth is mostly from higher prices, not more hours worked.
Who this affects
- MarketbullishMedium impact
- Investors read it as an early sign of hiring recovery.
- CompanybullishHigh impact
- Shareholders gain; profit margin widened to 5.3% from 4.5%.
- CompetitorsmixedLow impact
- Rivals mixed: ManpowerGroup fell 17.7% after its own Q3.
- IndustrybullishLow impact
- Staffing demand may be bottoming after a long slump.
Robert Half vs ManpowerGroup, Kelly Services, Kforce
How we got here
ManpowerGroup shares fell 17.7% after its Q3 report despite in-line revenue.
Robert Half shares rose 8.8% to $37.68, then the company reported Q3 results after the close.
Shares jumped about 10% before the open and 13.1% to $42.58 by mid-morning.
BMO and Truist raised targets to $50 and Baird to $53; Goldman Sachs stayed cautious at $33.
What to watch
- Whether Talent Solutions keeps growing; Q4 revenue is guided to $1.285B–$1.385B, about 3% above last year.Q4 2026
- Whether hours worked rise, not just prices; Goldman says underlying contract volumes are still down year over year.Q4 2026
- Protiviti consulting arm, where Q3 revenue fell 3% adjusted but beat expectations.Q4 2026
Educational content only. Not investment advice.
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