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Heidrick & Struggles International (HSII)
NASDAQ:HSII
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Heidrick & Struggles (HSII) AI Stock Analysis

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HSII

Heidrick & Struggles

(NASDAQ:HSII)

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Outperform 75 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$66.00
▲(12.36% Upside)
Heidrick & Struggles' strong financial performance and positive technical indicators are the primary drivers of the stock's score. The company's robust cash flow management and upward price trend are significant strengths. However, the high P/E ratio and potential margin pressures from increased expenses pose risks. Overall, the stock is positioned well for growth, but investors should be cautious of valuation and economic uncertainties.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Exceeding revenue expectations indicates strong demand for services and effective client engagement, supporting long-term growth.
Strong Cash Position
A robust cash position enhances financial flexibility, enabling strategic investments and cushioning against economic uncertainties.
Service Line Growth
Growth across all service lines demonstrates diversified revenue streams and resilience in various market conditions.
Negative Factors
Increased Operating Expenses
Rising expenses can pressure margins, potentially impacting profitability unless offset by higher revenue or cost efficiencies.
Margin Pressure Expected
Anticipated margin compression could affect profitability, necessitating careful cost management to maintain financial health.
Potential Project Delays
Economic uncertainty could delay project starts, impacting revenue timing and necessitating strategic planning to mitigate risks.

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

Heidrick & Struggles Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHeidrick & Struggles (HSII) is a global executive search and consulting firm that specializes in leadership consulting, executive search, and culture shaping. Founded in 1953, the company operates through various sectors, including executive search, leadership consulting, and organizational consulting. Heidrick & Struggles aims to help organizations build strong leadership teams and enhance their culture to drive performance and growth.
How the Company Makes MoneyHeidrick & Struggles generates revenue primarily through fees charged for its executive search and leadership consulting services. The company operates on a fee-for-service model, where clients pay for the successful placement of executives or for consulting engagements related to leadership development and organizational effectiveness. Key revenue streams include retained search fees, which are typically structured as a percentage of the placed executive's first-year compensation, and consulting fees for services that may involve assessments, coaching, or strategic advisory roles. Additionally, HSII benefits from long-term relationships with major corporations and partnerships with various organizations, which can lead to repeat business and referrals, thus bolstering its earnings.

Heidrick & Struggles Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 03, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 02, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue growth, improved profitability, and a solid cash position, demonstrating the company's ability to perform well across various service lines. However, increased operating expenses, expected margin pressure, and potential project delays due to economic uncertainty were noted as concerns. Overall, the positive aspects slightly outweigh the challenges.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue Growth
Second quarter revenue reached approximately $317 million, marking a 14% increase compared to Q2 2024.
Strong Performance Across Service Lines
All three reported solution lines saw growth, with Executive Search revenue growing 13%, On-Demand Talent revenue increasing 14%, and Heidrick Consulting revenue rising 17% year-over-year.
Improved Profitability
Adjusted EBITDA improved by $5 million to $34 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin expansion of 40 basis points to 10.7%.
Strong Cash Position
The company ended the second quarter with a strong cash position of $400 million, up $103 million from the previous year.
Positive Executive Search Productivity
Consultant productivity in Executive Search annualized at $2.3 million, up from $2 million in the previous year.
Negative Updates
Increased Operating Expenses
Salary and benefits increased 17.6% from the prior year quarter due to higher base salaries, payroll taxes, and talent acquisition costs.
Margin Pressure Expected
Quarterly margins are expected to cycle down in the second half of the year due to progress on hiring plans.
Potential Project Delays
The current economic climate can heighten uncertainty, leading clients to potentially delay initiating new projects.
Company Guidance
During the Heidrick & Struggles Q2 2025 earnings call, CEO Tom Monahan and CFO Nirupam Sinha provided robust guidance, highlighting a 14% year-over-year revenue increase to $317 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $34 million with a margin of 10.7%. The company emphasized strong growth across all service lines: Executive Search revenue rose 13% to $238 million, On-Demand Talent climbed 14% to $48 million, and Heidrick Consulting increased 17% to $31 million. They reported high consultant productivity with an annualized $2.3 million in Executive Search and a notable cash position of $400 million. Looking ahead, they project Q3 revenue between $295 million and $315 million, anticipating a 10% growth at the midpoint compared to Q3 2024. The company remains focused on strategic priorities, including expanding their talent base and leveraging technology to enhance client solutions, while navigating macroeconomic uncertainties.

Heidrick & Struggles Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Heidrick & Struggles exhibits a solid financial position with consistent revenue growth and effective cash flow management. While profitability margins indicate room for improvement, the company's low leverage and strong cash flow metrics provide a stable foundation for future growth.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Heidrick & Struggles has shown a consistent revenue growth trend, with a TTM revenue growth rate of 3.84%. The gross profit margin remains stable at 24.26%, indicating effective cost management. However, the net profit margin is relatively low at 2.92%, suggesting room for improvement in profitability. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are moderate, reflecting operational efficiency but also highlighting potential areas for cost optimization.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is low at 0.21, indicating a conservative leverage approach, which enhances financial stability. Return on equity is modest at 7.23%, suggesting moderate efficiency in generating returns from equity. The equity ratio of 40.28% indicates a solid equity base, contributing to financial resilience.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Heidrick & Struggles demonstrates strong cash flow management with a significant free cash flow growth rate of 18.99% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.87 suggests robust cash flow relative to profits, supporting potential reinvestment and shareholder returns.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.21B1.12B1.04B1.08B1.01B629.37M
Gross Profit283.17M281.10M276.11M275.48M238.28M174.55M
EBITDA102.10M92.80M101.11M122.87M121.62M76.47M
Net Income37.05M8.73M54.41M79.49M72.57M-37.71M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.26B1.19B1.14B1.18B1.11B787.81M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments528.08M563.52M478.16M621.62M545.23M336.47M
Total Debt101.28M100.81M99.70M82.85M84.96M115.80M
Total Liabilities755.04M741.37M679.31M764.99M770.78M520.21M
Stockholders Equity509.22M452.82M462.28M410.65M336.02M267.60M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow132.44M124.12M-40.23M108.15M265.16M16.03M
Operating Cash Flow161.25M150.43M-26.79M119.29M271.40M23.35M
Investing Cash Flow-57.03M-14.62M133.60M-279.60M-21.26M32.63M
Financing Cash Flow-17.49M-16.74M-53.53M-15.69M-15.52M-16.40M

Heidrick & Struggles Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price58.74
Price Trends
50DMA
54.12
Positive
100DMA
50.35
Positive
200DMA
46.40
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.28
Positive
RSI
77.26
Negative
STOCH
85.38
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HSII, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 58.74 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 58.40, above the 50-day MA of 54.12, and above the 200-day MA of 46.40, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.28 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 77.26 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 85.38 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for HSII.

Heidrick & Struggles Risk Analysis

Heidrick & Struggles disclosed 23 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 (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$1.22B34.327.47%1.02%11.53%-6.32%
71
Outperform
$3.48B14.1013.55%2.79%0.79%34.85%
66
Neutral
$587.36M14.1127.19%6.13%-5.91%-23.01%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
60
Neutral
$2.63B16.8911.27%8.66%-7.27%-43.88%
46
Neutral
$1.38B-1.00%7.90%-2.44%-156.01%
45
Neutral
$354.57M-10.14%-1381.34%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles
58.74
11.83
25.22%
KFRC
Kforce
30.13
-28.92
-48.98%
KFY
Korn Ferry
64.50
-11.92
-15.60%
MAN
ManpowerGroup
28.71
-33.04
-53.51%
RHI
Robert Half
26.38
-45.99
-63.55%
ZIP
ZipRecruiter
4.37
-6.12
-58.34%

Heidrick & Struggles Corporate Events

Heidrick & Struggles Faces Investor Concerns Over Unregistered Equity Sales and Transparency Issues
Nov 4, 2025

Heidrick & Struggles International faces a potential business risk related to unregistered sales of equity securities, use of proceeds, and issuer purchases of equity securities. The absence of detailed information in the risk description raises concerns about transparency and regulatory compliance. This lack of disclosure could lead to investor uncertainty and potential legal challenges, impacting the company’s financial stability and market reputation. Stakeholders may demand more clarity to assess the implications of these activities on the company’s future performance.

Heidrick & Struggles Announces Special Meeting for Merger Vote
Nov 3, 2025

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. has announced a special virtual meeting for its stockholders on December 5, 2025, to vote on a proposed merger with Heron BidCo, LLC and its subsidiary, Heron Merger Sub, Inc. This merger, if approved, will result in Heidrick becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heron BidCo, with stockholders receiving $59.00 per share in cash. The company’s Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that stockholders vote in favor of the merger, which is backed by private equity firms Advent International and Corvex PE Advisors. The merger is expected to impact Heidrick’s operations by integrating it into a larger consortium, potentially enhancing its market positioning and providing financial benefits to stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (HSII) stock is a Hold with a $59.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Heidrick & Struggles stock, see the HSII Stock Forecast page.

Delistings and Listing ChangesM&A Transactions
Heidrick & Struggles to be Acquired by Consortium
Positive
Oct 6, 2025

On October 5, 2025, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a consortium led by Advent International and Corvex Private Equity, transitioning the company to private ownership. The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $1.3 billion, offers Heidrick stockholders $59.00 per share, a 26% premium on the 90-day average share price. This move aims to accelerate Heidrick’s growth and enhance its global leadership positions by investing in people, technology, and innovative solutions. The merger, approved by Heidrick’s Board of Directors, is expected to close by the first quarter of 2026, subject to stockholder and regulatory approvals. Upon completion, Heidrick will be delisted from Nasdaq, continuing operations under its current leadership.

The most recent analyst rating on (HSII) stock is a Buy with a $54.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Heidrick & Struggles stock, see the HSII Stock Forecast page.

Heidrick & Struggles Faces Scrutiny Over Unregistered Equity Sales and Transparency Concerns
Aug 6, 2025

Heidrick & Struggles International may face potential financial and regulatory risks associated with unregistered sales of equity securities, as well as their use of proceeds and issuer purchases of equity securities. Without detailed information provided in the description, stakeholders might be concerned about the transparency and compliance of the company’s equity transactions. This lack of disclosure could lead to uncertainty among investors and regulatory bodies, potentially impacting the company’s financial standing and market reputation. It is crucial for Heidrick & Struggles to address these concerns to maintain investor confidence and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.

Heidrick & Struggles Reports Strong Q2 2025 Growth
Aug 6, 2025

The latest earnings call for Heidrick & Struggles International showcased a robust financial performance, with the company reporting strong revenue growth across all solution lines. Despite facing challenges such as increased operating expenses and macroeconomic uncertainties, the overall sentiment was positive, driven by substantial growth and a solid financial position.

Heidrick & Struggles Reports Strong Q2 2025 Growth
Aug 5, 2025

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is a leading global provider of leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, specializing in executive search and consulting services. The company operates across various regions, including the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

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: Nov 04, 2025