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Korn Ferry (KFY)
NYSE:KFY

Korn Ferry (KFY) AI Stock Analysis

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KF

Korn Ferry

(NYSE:KFY)

74Outperform
Korn Ferry's overall stock score reflects a strong financial standing, strategic growth indicated in the earnings call, and a fair valuation. Key strengths include robust cash flow and increased profitability. Challenges include declining revenue growth and digital segment weakness. The neutral technical indicators suggest a stable but cautious outlook.
Positive Factors
Business Strategy
Korn Ferry's unique and synergistic mix of businesses continues to drive resilient performance with improving operating productivity.
Financial Performance
Korn Ferry's third-quarter results beat consensus, and fourth-quarter guidance was slightly better than expected.
Negative Factors
Consulting Segment
Softness in the consulting segment is likely to persist for at least another few quarters.
Market Challenges
Risks include competition and cyclicality.

Korn Ferry (KFY) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Korn Ferry Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKorn Ferry, together with its subsidiaries, provides organizational consulting services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consulting, Digital, Executive Search, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) & Professional Search. The company provides executive search services to recruit board level, chief executive, other senior executive, and general management talent of organizations. It also offers organizational strategy, assessment and succession, leadership and professional development, and total reward services. In addition, the company provides RPO, business project, professional search, and outsource recruiting solutions. Further, the company offers tech-enabled solutions that identify structures, roles, capabilities, and behaviors to drive businesses. It serves public and private companies, and middle market and emerging growth companies, as well as government and non-profit organizations. The company was formerly known as Korn/Ferry International and changed its name to Korn Ferry in January 2019. Korn Ferry was founded in 1969 and is based in Los Angeles, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyKorn Ferry generates revenue through a diversified business model comprised of several key revenue streams. The company earns money primarily through its talent acquisition services, which include executive search, professional recruitment, and recruitment process outsourcing. Additionally, Korn Ferry provides consulting services aimed at leadership and talent development, organizational strategy, and rewards and benefits solutions. These consulting services often involve long-term engagements with clients to enhance organizational effectiveness and performance. Furthermore, the company has developed proprietary tools and platforms, such as its assessment and development offerings, which contribute to its revenue. Korn Ferry's partnerships with various industry-leading organizations and its global reach also play a crucial role in expanding its client base and driving revenue growth.

Korn Ferry Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Korn Ferry demonstrates a solid financial position with strong cash flow management and profitability. Concerns include declining revenue growth and a need for improved net profit margins, but a stable balance sheet and efficient cash generation offer a positive outlook.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Korn Ferry's TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin stands at 24.25%, indicating healthy profitability. The net profit margin is 9.01%, which is stable but shows room for improvement. EBIT and EBITDA margins are 12.03% and 15.66%, respectively, demonstrating efficient operational control. However, the revenue growth rate from the previous period is negative, indicating a decline in sales, which could be a concern.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company has a strong equity ratio of 49.12%, reflecting a solid equity base relative to its assets. The debt-to-equity ratio is reasonable at 0.29, suggesting moderate leverage. Return on equity (ROE) is 13.78%, which is decent but not outstanding. The balance sheet shows stability, but there is a need for higher returns.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Korn Ferry's cash flow is strong with a healthy operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.50, indicating efficient cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.28, which is robust. The free cash flow growth rate is positive, highlighting improved cash flow management.
Breakdown
TTMJun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021Jun 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.74B2.80B2.86B2.64B1.82B1.98B
Gross Profit
664.69M618.49M2.60B2.51B1.74B1.85B
EBIT
329.64M212.93M316.34M470.07M223.71M176.03M
EBITDA
441.26M321.58M389.94M521.72M254.82M228.16M
Net Income Common Stockholders
247.01M169.15M209.53M326.36M114.45M104.95M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
167.31M983.75M888.86M1.04B914.45M731.20M
Total Assets
864.28M3.68B3.57B3.46B3.06B2.74B
Total Debt
0.00580.27M561.24M595.30M598.78M629.76M
Net Debt
-151.12M-360.74M-282.79M-382.77M-252.00M-59.48M
Total Liabilities
345.17M1.94B1.92B1.91B1.69B1.52B
Stockholders Equity
519.64M1.73B1.65B1.54B1.37B1.22B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
316.35M228.81M273.51M452.25M220.31M194.89M
Operating Cash Flow
370.40M283.96M343.89M501.66M251.43M236.35M
Investing Cash Flow
-121.97M-53.83M-323.48M-184.33M-61.38M-198.76M
Financing Cash Flow
-187.51M-116.33M-152.18M-137.44M-66.89M43.68M

Korn Ferry Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price62.30
Price Trends
50DMA
66.76
Negative
100DMA
68.99
Negative
200DMA
69.14
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.57
Negative
RSI
57.84
Neutral
STOCH
77.37
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KFY, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 62.3 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 66.67, below the 50-day MA of 66.76, and below the 200-day MA of 69.14, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of 0.57 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.84 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 77.37 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KFY.

Korn Ferry Risk Analysis

Korn Ferry disclosed 48 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Korn Ferry 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

Korn Ferry Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
KFKFY
74
Outperform
$3.22B13.3913.92%2.55%-3.27%62.57%
68
Neutral
$834.15M99.221.91%1.47%7.15%-83.77%
MAMAN
68
Neutral
$2.44B17.376.67%5.90%-5.61%77.92%
62
Neutral
$7.25B12.393.08%3.39%3.63%-14.32%
61
Neutral
$2.67B15.939.55%-7.88%-14.39%
RHRHI
60
Neutral
$4.95B19.8216.96%4.50%-9.33%-37.06%
TBTBI
44
Neutral
$149.13M-32.53%-17.78%-820.48%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KFY
Korn Ferry
62.30
-0.24
-0.38%
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles
40.87
9.18
28.97%
MAN
ManpowerGroup
52.19
-19.88
-27.58%
ASGN
ASGN
61.25
-37.63
-38.06%
RHI
Robert Half
48.41
-24.70
-33.78%
TBI
Trueblue
5.02
-6.82
-57.60%

Korn Ferry Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Mar 11, 2025 | % Change Since: 0.35% | Next Earnings Date: Jun 18, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong new business growth, increased profitability, and successful large-scale engagements. However, challenges were noted in the digital segment's new business decline and ongoing macroeconomic difficulties. Overall, the company appears to be navigating a challenging environment with strategic transformations and expansions.
Highlights
Strong New Business Growth
Total firm new business grew 13% year-over-year, driven by the Americas and EMEA.
Increase in Dividend
Korn Ferry raised their quarterly dividend by 30%, marking the sixth increase in the last five years.
Improved Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% year-over-year to $114 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin up 190 basis points to 17.1%.
Successful Engagements
Significant transformation engagements won, including a global energy company and leadership programs at large employers.
RPO Business Performance
RPO new business of $210 million, with 65% from new clients, and RPO fee revenue grew 6% in the third quarter.
Consulting and Digital Segments Growth
Consulting new business was up 3% at constant currency with an adjusted EBITDA margin up 100 basis points to 17.7%. Digital fee revenue was up 3% in constant currency.
Lowlights
Digital New Business Decline
Digital new business trends declined 8% in constant currency compared to the previous quarter's 10% growth.
Macroeconomic Environment Challenges
The macroeconomic environment for consulting services has been less than ideal for the last eight quarters.
Professional Search and Interim Stabilization
Professional Search and Interim new business and fee revenue remained flat year-over-year at constant currency.
Company Guidance
During Korn Ferry's Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Conference Call, the company provided several key financial metrics and strategic insights. Fee revenue for the third quarter was reported at $669 million, reflecting a 2% year-over-year increase at constant currency. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 13% year-over-year to $114 million, with a margin increase of 190 basis points to 17.1%. Adjusted EPS also saw an 11% year-over-year rise to $1.19. The company's new business grew by 13% year-over-year, driven by significant engagements in the Americas and EMEA, especially in organizational and workforce transformations. Korn Ferry's diversification strategy was highlighted, with marquee and diamond accounts now representing 39% of the portfolio and cross-solution referrals contributing 25% to total fee revenue. The company also announced a 30% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking the sixth increase in the last five years. Looking ahead, Korn Ferry expects fourth-quarter fee revenue to range between $680 million and $700 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.8% to 17%.

Korn Ferry Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Korn Ferry Appoints New Consulting CEO Lesley Uren
Neutral
Feb 6, 2025

On February 6, 2025, Korn Ferry announced the passing of Mark Arian, the Chief Executive Officer of Consulting, whose leadership and contributions were highly valued by the company. Lesley Uren, previously President of Consulting in EMEA, has been appointed as the new CEO of Consulting, with expectations that her experience will ensure a smooth transition and maintain the company’s leadership standards.

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.