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Korn Ferry (KFY)
NYSE:KFY

Korn Ferry (KFY) AI Stock Analysis

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KFY

Korn Ferry

(NYSE:KFY)

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Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$75.00
▲(9.87% Upside)
Korn Ferry's overall stock score of 73 reflects a stable financial performance with strong profitability and effective equity utilization. The positive sentiment from the recent earnings call and reasonable valuation metrics further support the stock's potential. However, mixed technical indicators and challenges in cash flow management and certain business segments highlight areas for improvement.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent growth in Executive Search revenue indicates strong demand for Korn Ferry's services, supporting long-term business expansion.
Digital Transformation
The Talent Suite platform enhances Korn Ferry's digital capabilities, positioning it well for future growth in a tech-driven market.
Regional Growth
Strong regional growth in EMEA and APAC diversifies revenue streams and reduces reliance on any single market, enhancing stability.
Negative Factors
Cash Flow Management
Declining free cash flow growth could limit Korn Ferry's ability to invest in new opportunities and manage financial obligations effectively.
Americas Revenue Decline
Decreased revenue in the Americas highlights potential challenges in maintaining growth in a key market, impacting overall performance.
Economic Uncertainty
Economic uncertainties may hinder client spending on consulting services, affecting Korn Ferry's revenue growth and strategic initiatives.

Korn Ferry (KFY) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (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 several key streams. The primary source is its executive search services, where the company charges fees for identifying and placing senior-level executives within client organizations. Additionally, Korn Ferry earns income from consulting services related to talent management and development, which include assessments, coaching, and organizational design. The company also provides leadership development programs and training, contributing to its revenue. Significant partnerships with various corporations and institutions enhance its market reach and impact. Furthermore, Korn Ferry has developed proprietary tools and methodologies that allow it to deliver customized solutions, increasing client retention and generating recurring revenue.

Korn Ferry Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 09, 2025
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 11, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a positive sentiment with strong financial performance, growth in key segments like RPO and Executive Search, and successful implementation of strategic initiatives. However, challenges in the APAC region and the digital business segment present areas for improvement.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Overall Financial Performance
Consolidated fee revenue grew 7% year-over-year to $722 million. Adjusted EBITDA grew $8 million or 7% year-over-year to $125 million. Adjusted diluted earnings per share grew $0.12 or 10% year-over-year to $1.33.
RPO Business Success
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts increased to $1.84 billion, up 20% year-over-year, led by strong new business in RPO. RPO delivered $253 million of new business in the quarter, with 16% from new logos and 84% from renewals.
Growth in Executive Search and Professional Search
Executive Search fee revenue remained strong, growing 10%, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. Professional Search and interim fee revenue was up 17% year-over-year.
Expansion in EMEA
EMEA fee revenue continued to be strong, growing 20% year-over-year, with growth in Executive Search, Professional Search, interim consulting, and digital.
Successful Strategy Implementation
Business referrals grew to 27.6% of consolidated fee revenue, up approximately 250 basis points year-over-year, demonstrating progress driven by the We Are Korn Ferry go-to-market evolution.
Negative Updates
Flat Revenue in APAC
APAC fee revenue was flat with moderate growth in Exec Search and Pro Search and interim, offset by slight declines in RPO consulting and digital.
Challenges in Digital Business
There was a decline in the digital business segment, attributed to a pivot in strategy and delays in closing large transformational deals.
Company Guidance
During the Korn Ferry Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Conference Call, the company provided robust guidance reflecting continued positive momentum across its business segments. Korn Ferry reported a 7% year-over-year increase in consolidated fee revenue, reaching $722 million. The company highlighted a strong performance in Executive Search with a 10% annual growth, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. Professional Search and interim fee revenue also increased by 17% year-over-year. The estimated remaining fees under existing contracts rose to $1.84 billion, representing a 20% increase from the previous year. The adjusted EBITDA grew by 7% to $125 million, with a margin of 17.3%, while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased by 10% to $1.33. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Korn Ferry anticipates fee revenue to range between $680 million and $694 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 17.2% to 17.4% and adjusted diluted EPS ranging from $1.19 to $1.25. The company is optimistic about its "We Are Korn Ferry" strategy, which has enhanced cross-solution referrals and driven a resilient business model.

Korn Ferry Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Korn Ferry demonstrates solid financial performance with stable revenue growth and profitability. The company maintains a strong balance sheet with low leverage, but cash flow management could be improved to support future growth. Attention to operational efficiency and cash flow generation will be crucial for sustained success.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Korn Ferry's income statement shows a stable performance with a slight revenue growth of 1.19% in the TTM period. The gross profit margin stands at 26.18%, indicating effective cost management. The net profit margin is 8.95%, reflecting solid profitability. However, the EBIT margin has decreased compared to previous years, suggesting potential challenges in operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a healthy financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, indicating low leverage. The return on equity is 13.65%, showcasing effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is strong, suggesting a stable capital structure. However, the slight increase in debt over the years could be a concern if not managed properly.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a decline in free cash flow growth by 7.38% in the TTM period, which could impact future investments. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.53, indicating moderate cash generation from operations. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.79, showing decent cash conversion but with room for improvement.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.76B2.80B2.86B2.64B1.82B
Gross Profit717.99M618.49M2.60B2.51B1.74B
EBITDA445.56M321.58M389.94M521.72M254.82M
Net Income246.06M169.15M209.53M326.36M114.45M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.86B3.68B3.57B3.46B3.06B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.04B983.75M888.86M1.04B914.45M
Total Debt571.21M580.27M561.24M595.30M598.78M
Total Liabilities1.99B1.94B1.92B1.91B1.69B
Stockholders Equity1.87B1.73B1.65B1.54B1.37B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow301.88M228.81M273.51M452.25M220.31M
Operating Cash Flow364.36M283.96M343.89M501.66M251.43M
Investing Cash Flow-125.50M-53.83M-323.48M-184.33M-61.38M
Financing Cash Flow-190.73M-116.33M-152.18M-137.44M-66.89M

Korn Ferry Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price68.26
Price Trends
50DMA
66.48
Positive
100DMA
68.92
Negative
200DMA
67.88
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.77
Negative
RSI
57.46
Neutral
STOCH
62.64
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KFY, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 68.26 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 66.56, above the 50-day MA of 66.48, and above the 200-day MA of 67.88, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.77 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.46 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 62.64 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KFY.

Korn Ferry Risk Analysis

Korn Ferry disclosed 47 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 (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$3.56B13.8513.89%2.79%3.65%5.71%
67
Neutral
7.47%1.02%11.53%-6.32%
66
Neutral
$556.20M13.7027.19%5.09%-5.91%-23.01%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
60
Neutral
$2.83B18.1311.27%8.45%-7.27%-43.88%
54
Neutral
$1.46B87.2916.04%6.22%3.19%-86.21%
54
Neutral
$1.38B-63.65-1.00%4.82%-2.44%-156.01%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KFY
Korn Ferry
68.26
3.10
4.76%
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles
59.01
15.52
35.69%
NSP
Insperity
38.61
-33.77
-46.66%
KFRC
Kforce
30.66
-23.05
-42.92%
MAN
ManpowerGroup
29.86
-24.59
-45.16%
RHI
Robert Half
27.93
-38.86
-58.18%

Korn Ferry Corporate Events

Dividends
Korn Ferry Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Dec 8, 2025

On December 8, 2025, Korn Ferry‘s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share, payable on January 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 19, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s confidence in its business stability and operational discipline, continuing its commitment to balanced capital allocation.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Korn Ferry Stockholders Approve Key Governance Changes
Neutral
Sep 23, 2025

At the 2025 Annual Meeting, Korn Ferry stockholders elected eight directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting, approved executive compensation, endorsed Certificate Amendments, and ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for the 2026 fiscal year. These decisions reflect Korn Ferry’s continued focus on governance and financial oversight, potentially impacting its strategic direction and stakeholder confidence.

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: Dec 10, 2025