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Heidrick & Struggles International (HSII)
:HSII

Heidrick & Struggles (HSII) AI Stock Analysis

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Heidrick & Struggles

(NASDAQ:HSII)

68Neutral
Heidrick & Struggles exhibits solid financial stability and positive revenue growth, though profitability challenges remain. The technical analysis indicates a neutral trend, while the high P/E ratio suggests potential overvaluation. Despite these concerns, the optimistic earnings call and strategic initiatives provide a balanced outlook.
Positive Factors
Consulting Segment Performance
Heidrick Consulting segment revenue increased 11% YOY, with business momentum accelerating and strong new project confirmations indicating sustained momentum.
Revenue Growth
Q4/24 revenue increased 9% YOY to $276.2 million, which exceeded the estimate and consensus while coming in above the high end of the guidance range.
Negative Factors
Operating Costs
Increased variable compensation expenses have negatively impacted the Q4/24 adjusted EBITDA margin.
Profit Margin Decline
Q4/24 adjusted EBITDA margin declined 460 basis points YOY to 9.5% due to increased variable compensation.

Heidrick & Struggles (HSII) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Heidrick & Struggles Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHeidrick & Struggles International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides executive search, consulting, and on-demand talent services to businesses and business leaders worldwide. The company enables its clients to build leadership teams by facilitating the recruitment, management, and development of senior executives. It also offers on-demand services to provide clients with independent talent, including professionals with industry and functional expertise for interim leadership roles and critical project-based initiatives; and consulting services, including leadership assessment and development, team and organization acceleration, digital acceleration and innovation, diversity and inclusion advisory services, and culture shaping services. The company provides its services to Fortune 1000 companies; Major U.S. and non-U.S. companies; middle market and emerging growth companies; private equity firms; governmental, higher education, and not-for-profit organizations; and other private and public entities. Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyHeidrick & Struggles generates revenue primarily through fees for its executive search and leadership consulting services. The company charges clients a percentage of the total compensation for the executive placements it facilitates. Additionally, it earns income from consulting services aimed at improving organizational effectiveness and leadership capabilities. Significant partnerships with global corporations and organizations contribute to its revenue by expanding its client base and enhancing service offerings. Heidrick & Struggles' focus on high-level executive talent and strategic advisory services enables it to maintain a strong revenue stream in the competitive consulting industry.

Heidrick & Struggles Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Heidrick & Struggles displays solid financial health with strong cash flow recovery and a stable balance sheet. Revenue growth is positive, but profitability margins are under pressure. The low leverage and improved cash flow provide a cushion for future growth opportunities, although enhancing profitability remains crucial.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Heidrick & Struggles shows steady revenue growth with a 7.1% increase from 2023 to 2024, indicating a positive trend. Gross Profit Margin remains stable, showcasing operational efficiency. However, Net Profit Margin is low at 0.8%, affected by a drop in EBIT, suggesting pressure on profitability. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have declined significantly from previous years, indicating challenges in maintaining cost controls.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The company maintains a strong equity position with an Equity Ratio of 37.9% for 2024, reflecting financial stability. The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is manageable at 0.22, suggesting low leverage risk. ROE is modest at 1.9%, indicating room for improvement in profit generation from equity.
Cash Flow
85
Very Positive
Significant improvement in Free Cash Flow from 2023 to 2024, bouncing back from negative territory to a healthy positive level. Operating Cash Flow to Net Income ratio is robust, indicating efficient cash generation from operations. The company has successfully turned around its cash flow situation, enhancing liquidity.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
1.12B1.04B1.08B1.01B629.37M
Gross Profit
281.10M276.11M275.48M238.28M178.95M
EBIT
7.53M87.49M112.27M98.26M135.16M
EBITDA
92.80M101.11M122.87M125.59M161.81M
Net Income Common Stockholders
8.73M54.41M79.49M72.57M-37.71M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
563.52M478.16M621.62M545.23M336.47M
Total Assets
1.19B1.14B1.18B1.11B787.81M
Total Debt
100.81M99.70M82.85M84.96M115.80M
Net Debt
-414.82M-312.92M-272.59M-460.27M-200.67M
Total Liabilities
741.37M679.31M764.99M770.78M520.21M
Stockholders Equity
452.82M462.28M410.65M336.02M267.60M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
124.12M-40.23M108.15M265.16M16.03M
Operating Cash Flow
150.43M-26.79M119.29M271.40M23.35M
Investing Cash Flow
-14.62M133.60M-279.60M-21.26M32.63M
Financing Cash Flow
-16.74M-53.53M-15.69M-15.52M-16.40M

Heidrick & Struggles Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price39.16
Price Trends
50DMA
43.49
Negative
100DMA
44.36
Negative
200DMA
40.52
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.05
Negative
RSI
50.02
Neutral
STOCH
59.78
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HSII, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 39.16 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 42.63, below the 50-day MA of 43.49, and below the 200-day MA of 40.52, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.05 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 50.02 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 59.78 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for HSII.

Heidrick & Struggles Risk Analysis

Heidrick & Struggles disclosed 22 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Heidrick & Struggles 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

Heidrick & Struggles Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$1.01B19.7825.20%0.80%7.03%7.75%
KFKFY
74
Outperform
$3.14B13.0713.92%2.61%-3.27%62.57%
68
Neutral
$803.33M95.561.91%1.52%7.15%-83.77%
MAMAN
68
Neutral
$2.31B16.446.67%6.24%-5.61%77.92%
62
Neutral
$7.16B12.213.05%3.43%3.62%-14.48%
RHRHI
60
Neutral
$4.84B19.3716.96%4.61%-9.33%-37.06%
TBTBI
44
Neutral
$145.87M-32.53%-17.78%-820.48%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles
39.16
8.95
29.63%
BBSI
Barrett Business Services
38.05
8.42
28.42%
KFY
Korn Ferry
60.29
-1.13
-1.84%
MAN
ManpowerGroup
48.72
-20.93
-30.05%
RHI
Robert Half
46.33
-24.24
-34.35%
TBI
Trueblue
4.73
-6.13
-56.45%

Heidrick & Struggles Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Mar 3, 2025 | % Change Since: -0.79% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 28, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue growth and profitability in several segments, particularly in Executive Search and Heidrick Consulting. However, challenges were noted in the On-Demand Talent segment with an EBITDA loss and a significant goodwill impairment charge. Overall, the sentiment is cautiously optimistic with a focus on strategic priorities to drive future growth.
Highlights
Strong Fourth Quarter Revenue Growth
Fourth quarter revenue reached $276.2 million, marking a 9.1% increase compared to Q4 2023.
Full Year Revenue Increase
Full year 2024 revenue was $1.1 billion, a 7% increase versus 2023.
Executive Search Performance
Executive Search revenue grew 10% in Q4, with strong profitability at an adjusted EBITDA margin of 25%.
Heidrick Consulting Revenue Growth
Heidrick Consulting saw a Q4 organic revenue increase of 11.5% year-over-year.
Strong Cash Position
Ended Q4 with a cash position of $563 million, up $85 million from December 2023.
Lowlights
On-Demand Talent EBITDA Loss
On-Demand Talent reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.2 million in Q4.
Heidrick Consulting EBITDA Loss
Heidrick Consulting reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.8 million in Q4 due to increased variable compensation.
Non-Cash Goodwill Impairment Charge
A non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $43.3 million was reported in Q4 related to the On-Demand Talent business.
Company Guidance
During the Heidrick & Struggles fourth quarter and year-end earnings call for fiscal year 2024, the company provided guidance that emphasized its strong financial performance and strategic priorities for 2025. The company reported a 9.1% increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $276.2 million, and a full-year revenue of $1.1 billion, marking a 7% increase versus 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $26.1 million, with a margin of 9.5%, while the full-year adjusted EBITDA was $111.2 million with a 10.1% margin. The company anticipates first-quarter 2025 revenue in the range of $263 million to $273 million and expects adjusted EBITDA margin expansion throughout 2025, primarily in the second half. Heidrick & Struggles' strategic focus includes becoming a trusted leadership partner, aiding clients in transformation, and innovating for continuous client engagement. They also highlighted strong performance across their service lines, including executive search, which saw a 10% revenue increase and a 25% adjusted EBITDA margin. Despite challenges in the broader temporary staffing market, On-Demand Talent revenue grew by 3%, while Heidrick Consulting saw an 11.5% revenue increase. The company remains optimistic about its growth prospects and its ability to deliver value to clients and shareholders.

Heidrick & Struggles Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Heidrick & Struggles Announces Leadership Transition Plans
Neutral
Jan 30, 2025

On January 27, 2025, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. announced that Sarah Payne will transition from her role as Chief Human Resources Officer to an advisory position, effective March 31, 2025. The company will begin an executive search for her successor and expects to finalize an agreement detailing any payments or benefits related to her transition and eventual departure by June 30, 2025.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.