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The Hackett Group (HCKT)
NASDAQ:HCKT
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The Hackett Group (HCKT) AI Stock Analysis

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HCKT

The Hackett Group

(NASDAQ:HCKT)

Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$21.00
▲(0.29% Upside)
The Hackett Group's overall stock score reflects strong revenue growth and strategic partnerships, countered by declining profit margins, bearish technical indicators, and high valuation concerns. The earnings call provided mixed signals, with growth in AI engagements offset by challenges in other segments.
Positive Factors
Acquisitions
The acquisition of LeewayHertz has significantly enhanced the company's generative AI consulting capabilities.
Investment Rating
The investment rating on HCKT stock is OUTPERFORM with a 12-month price target based on significant growth expectations.
Product Innovation
The company is introducing a new version of its XPLR platform, which designs generative AI solutions and workflows at unprecedented speed.
Negative Factors
Economic Headwinds
Reducing 2025 and 2026 non-GAAP EPS forecasts to reflect incremental economic headwinds.
Revenue Decline
Oracle Solutions net revenue declined 8% year-over-year due to the wind down of a large project.
Sales Cycle
Economic uncertainty is causing longer sales cycles in certain business segments.

The Hackett Group (HCKT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

The Hackett Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionThe Hackett Group, Inc. operates as a strategic advisory and technology consulting firm primarily in North America and internationally. It offers best practice intelligence center, an online searchable repository; best practice accelerators that provide web-based access to best practices, customized software configuration tools, and best practice process flows; advisor inquiry for access to fact-based advice on proven approaches and methods; best practice research that provides insights into the proven approaches; and peer interaction comprising member-led webcasts, annual best practice conferences, annual member forums, membership performance surveys, and client-submitted content, as well as intellectual property as-a-service and Hackett Institute programs. The company's benchmarking services conduct studies for selling, general and administrative, finance, human resources, information technology, procurement, enterprise performance management, and shared services; and business transformation practices to help clients develop coordinated strategy for achieving performance enhancements across the enterprise. It also provides Oracle EEA solutions for core financial close and consolidation, integrated business planning, and reporting/advanced analytics areas. In addition, the company offers SAP solutions, including planning, architecture, and vendor evaluation and selection through implementation, customization, testing, and integration; post-implementation support, change management, exception management, process transparency, system documentation, and end-user training; off-shore application development, and application maintenance and support services; and OneStream practice that helps clients choose and deploy OneStream XF Platform and Market Place solutions. The company was formerly known as Answerthink, Inc. and changed its name to The Hackett Group, Inc. in 2008. The Hackett Group, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
How the Company Makes MoneyThe Hackett Group generates revenue primarily through its consulting services, which include strategic advisory, benchmarking studies, and operational improvement consulting for enterprises. The company charges fees for its consulting engagements, which can be project-based or retainer-based, depending on the client's needs. Additionally, Hackett offers subscription-based access to its proprietary research and benchmarking databases, providing clients with valuable insights and data to guide their decision-making processes. Significant partnerships with large enterprises and a strong reputation in the consulting industry also contribute to its earnings, as they help attract new clients and retain existing ones.

The Hackett Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jun 27, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 11, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed outlook, with strong growth in Gen AI engagements and innovative developments being countered by declines in the Oracle Solutions segment and OneStream practice. Strategic partnerships and platform enhancements provide optimism, but restructuring and economic uncertainties pose challenges.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth from Gen AI Engagements
The company reported revenues before reimbursements of $77.6 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.38, attributed to the strong performance of the GSBT segment, especially driven by Gen AI-related engagements. Gen AI engagements led to a 5% increase in GSBT revenues, with a 10% increase excluding the OneStream practice.
Innovative Platform Developments
Significant enhancements to AI XPLR and ZBrain Gen AI platforms were highlighted as breakthroughs, along with a strategic partnership with Celonis to integrate process intelligence, creating new channel expansion opportunities.
SAP Solutions Segment Growth
SAP Solutions segment revenues increased by 11% compared to the previous year, driven by implementation services related to recent software sales.
Stock Buyback and Dividend Declaration
The company repurchased 180,000 shares for $4.4 million and increased the stock repurchase authorization to $30 million. A third quarter dividend of $0.12 per share was declared.
Negative Updates
Oracle Solutions Segment Decline
Revenues from the Oracle Solutions segment decreased by 7.5% due to extended client decision-making and delays in replacing a large post go-live engagement.
OneStream Practice Weakness
The OneStream implementation offerings experienced weakness, contributing to a lower overall performance in the GSBT segment.
Restructuring and Headcount Adjustments
The company announced restructuring charges related to severance costs due to adjustments in headcount to align with current demand and expected productivity improvements from Gen AI platforms.
Impact of Extended Decision-Making
Extended client decision-making and economic concerns continue to impact demand and revenue replacement, especially within the Oracle and OneStream practices.
Company Guidance
During the Hackett Group's second quarter earnings call for fiscal year 2025, the company reported revenues before reimbursements of $77.6 million, which exceeded the high end of their guidance. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.38, aligning with the midpoint of their guidance range. The call highlighted significant revenue growth driven by Gen AI-related engagements, particularly from their AI XPLR and ZBrain platforms. The Global S&BT segment saw a 5% revenue increase, offset partially by a decline in their OneStream practice. The Oracle Solutions segment experienced a 7.5% revenue decrease, while the SAP Solutions segment reported an 11% increase. Total adjusted EBITDA was $16.1 million, or 20.7% of revenues, with adjusted SG&A expenses at $18.2 million. The company's adjusted gross margin was 42.8%, and the headcount stood at 1,382. Looking forward, Hackett Group expects third-quarter revenues before reimbursements between $73 million and $74.5 million, with adjusted diluted EPS ranging from $0.36 to $0.38. The company also announced a strategic partnership with Celonis, aimed at expanding their AI capabilities and market reach.

The Hackett Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary
The Hackett Group shows strong revenue growth but faces challenges with declining profit margins and free cash flow. Improved leverage is a positive, but reduced efficiency in equity returns is concerning.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The Hackett Group shows a strong revenue growth rate of 39.5% in the TTM, indicating robust expansion. However, margins have declined compared to previous years, with the net profit margin dropping to 5.37% from 9.44% in 2024. This suggests increased costs or competitive pressures impacting profitability.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has improved to 0.21 in the TTM, reflecting a healthier leverage position compared to previous years. However, the return on equity has decreased to 14.72%, indicating reduced efficiency in generating returns from equity.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Free cash flow has decreased by 20.46% in the TTM, which is a concern for liquidity. The operating cash flow to net income ratio remains strong at 0.87, suggesting good cash generation relative to net income, but the decline in free cash flow growth is a potential risk.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue315.78M313.86M296.59M293.74M278.81M239.48M
Gross Profit117.32M123.24M116.38M115.58M105.66M73.11M
EBITDA34.02M48.51M52.68M58.69M50.85M13.12M
Net Income16.95M29.63M34.15M40.80M41.55M5.47M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets200.52M191.88M181.43M184.99M207.54M192.54M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments10.14M16.37M20.96M30.25M45.79M49.45M
Total Debt25.70M15.68M34.42M61.11M3.77M6.12M
Total Liabilities80.71M76.30M91.35M126.72M63.69M51.66M
Stockholders Equity119.80M115.57M90.08M58.28M143.85M140.89M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow35.36M43.65M33.30M54.25M43.11M42.17M
Operating Cash Flow41.06M47.73M37.40M58.90M46.35M44.06M
Investing Cash Flow-13.01M-10.62M-4.10M-4.66M-3.24M-1.89M
Financing Cash Flow-36.99M-41.66M-42.56M-69.74M-46.74M-18.71M

The Hackett Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price20.94
Price Trends
50DMA
22.71
Negative
100DMA
23.87
Negative
200DMA
26.92
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.54
Negative
RSI
43.14
Neutral
STOCH
51.04
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HCKT, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 20.94 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 20.63, below the 50-day MA of 22.71, and below the 200-day MA of 26.92, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.54 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 43.14 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 51.04 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for HCKT.

The Hackett Group Risk Analysis

The Hackett Group disclosed 22 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. The Hackett Group reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

The Hackett Group Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$3.31B14.275.59%2.54%11.31%-16.02%
70
Outperform
$1.62B26.6712.49%19.04%24.49%
69
Neutral
$254.95M33.128.29%3.44%-9.86%
61
Neutral
$35.52B8.84-11.04%1.87%8.55%-8.14%
61
Neutral
$571.12M34.0215.27%2.22%4.18%-51.62%
61
Neutral
$803.37M39.11-5.88%0.47%-292.07%
60
Neutral
$4.98B13.8025.40%1.41%2.23%48.38%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HCKT
The Hackett Group
20.94
-3.87
-15.60%
III
Information Services Group
5.24
2.21
72.94%
SAIC
Science Applications
104.93
-26.59
-20.22%
PSFE
Paysafe
14.68
-6.66
-31.21%
CNXC
Concentrix
53.82
-17.03
-24.04%
TASK
TaskUs
18.18
6.02
49.51%

The Hackett Group Corporate Events

Product-Related AnnouncementsShareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
The Hackett Group Reports Strong Q1 2025 Results
Positive
May 6, 2025

On May 1, 2025, The Hackett Group held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where key decisions included the election of directors and amendments to the company’s stock option plan. The company also announced its first quarter 2025 financial results, reporting revenues near the high end of guidance and highlighting the release of AI XPLR version 3, which is expected to enhance growth in the Gen AI sector. Despite a decrease in GAAP earnings per share due to non-cash compensation expenses, the company showed strong cash flow and continued investment in AI capabilities, positioning itself for future growth.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 22, 2025