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Korn Ferry (KFY)
NYSE:KFY
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Korn Ferry (KFY) AI Stock Analysis

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KFY

Korn Ferry

(NYSE:KFY)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$82.00
â–²(11.98% Upside)
Korn Ferry's overall stock score is driven by its strong financial performance and positive earnings call outlook. Technical analysis and valuation provide additional support, indicating a well-rounded investment opportunity despite economic challenges.
Positive Factors
Earnings
Korn Ferry’s fiscal fourth-quarter results again outperformed consensus on the top and bottom lines.
Market Position
Korn Ferry has been outperforming peers in RPO and professional search for the last 5-6 quarters.
Strategic Investments
Management has made investments in talent, product enhancements, and internal productivity tools that should pay dividends in the coming years.
Negative Factors
Consulting and Digital Segments
Headwinds in the consulting and digital segments could persist due to lengthening sales cycles.
Macroeconomic Environment
Business confidence remains muted and macro uncertainty could dampen near-term upside.
Revenue Guidance
First-quarter guidance reflects a 4% sequential revenue decline, worse than the 10-year average sequential drop of 2%.

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 primarily through its consulting and talent acquisition services. The main revenue streams include fees from executive search engagements, which involve recruiting executives for client organizations, and consulting services that focus on leadership development, organizational design, and employee engagement strategies. Additionally, the company earns revenue from assessments and surveys, helping organizations evaluate their talent and leadership potential. Strategic partnerships with technology providers and other consulting firms also contribute to its business model, allowing Korn Ferry to broaden its service offerings and enhance its market reach.

Korn Ferry Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jun 18, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Sep 09, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Korn Ferry exhibited strong performance in the fourth quarter, with notable growth in executive search and digital business. Despite the challenges posed by a cost of living crisis and a prolonged recessionary environment, the company maintains a positive outlook with strategic investments in technology and a strong pipeline of large-scale client engagements. Uncertainties in global markets and flat growth in consulting remain as challenges.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Fourth Quarter Performance
Korn Ferry's fourth quarter exceeded expectations with a consolidated fee revenue of $712 million, growing 4% year over year at constant currency. Adjusted EBITDA grew 8% to $121 million and adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 70 basis points to 17%.
Growth in Executive Search
Executive search grew for the fourth consecutive quarter, up 15% year over year at constant currency, indicating strong demand for leadership solutions.
Increase in Digital Business
Digital subscription and license new business in the fourth quarter grew to 40% of the total digital new business, up from 37% in the prior year quarter, adding stability to the revenue base.
New Business and Marquee Accounts
Total company new business grew 3% year over year, and the Marquee and Diamond accounts represented 39% of consolidated fee revenue.
Positive Outlook for TalentSuite
The completion of the fourth product release of TalentSuite is expected to enhance user experience and drive future growth.
Negative Updates
Cost of Living Crisis Impact
There is a significant cost of living crisis in the U.S., impacting consumer behavior and company operations, with growth remaining elusive for many organizations.
Flat Growth in Consulting
Consulting new business was flat year over year, partly due to the longer duration of large-scale engagements affecting short-term revenue.
Challenging Economic Environment
The company has been operating in what is considered a recessionary environment for seven quarters, impacting client spending behaviors.
Uncertainty in Global Markets
Ongoing geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainties continue to present challenges to business operations and client confidence.
Company Guidance
During the Korn Ferry Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 conference call, the company provided guidance showcasing its solid performance despite a challenging economic environment. The firm reported a 4% increase in fee revenue and a 3% growth in new business, both in constant currency. The Marquee and Diamond accounts represented 39% of the consolidated fee revenue, indicating strong client relationships. Executive search grew by 15% year-over-year at constant currency, while digital subscription and license new business accounted for 40% of total digital new business. The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA growth of 8%, reaching $121 million, and an adjusted EBITDA margin increase of 70 basis points to 17%. For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Korn Ferry anticipates fee revenue to range from $675 million to $695 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin between 16.8% to 17.2%, and an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.18 to $1.26. The company highlighted its ongoing investments in technology, AI, and talent analytics as key drivers of future growth, while also maintaining a balanced approach to capital allocation, returning $173 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2025.

Korn Ferry Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Korn Ferry demonstrates strong profitability with a healthy net profit margin and effective cost management. The balance sheet is robust with low leverage and substantial equity, while cash flow generation is strong, indicating operational sustainability. Despite a slight revenue decline, overall financial stability is commendable.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Korn Ferry demonstrates strong profitability with a healthy net profit margin of 8.9% and a robust EBIT margin of 12.5% for the latest year. Although the revenue has slightly declined by 1.2% from the previous year, the company shows effective cost management, as indicated by a gross profit margin of 26%. The EBITDA margin of 14.5% further highlights operational efficiency. Overall, Korn Ferry maintains solid profitability despite minor revenue contraction.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
Korn Ferry maintains a strong balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, indicating prudent leverage management. The equity ratio stands at 48.3%, reflecting a strong equity base relative to total assets. Return on equity is impressive at 13.2%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds. The company's financial stability is further reinforced by substantial cash reserves, contributing to a favorable liquidity position.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
The company exhibits strong cash flow metrics, with a free cash flow growth rate of 31.9% year-over-year, indicating robust cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.48, illustrating efficient cash conversion. Additionally, the free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.23, highlighting a healthy cash flow relative to earnings. Korn Ferry's cash flow performance supports its operational sustainability.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.76B2.76B2.80B2.86B2.64B1.82B
Gross Profit717.99M717.99M618.49M2.60B2.51B1.74B
EBITDA434.01M399.82M321.58M389.94M521.72M254.82M
Net Income246.06M246.06M169.15M209.53M326.36M114.45M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.86B3.86B3.68B3.57B3.46B3.06B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.04B1.04B983.75M888.86M1.04B914.45M
Total Debt529.50M568.07M580.27M561.24M595.30M598.78M
Total Liabilities1.99B1.99B1.94B1.92B1.91B1.69B
Stockholders Equity1.87B1.87B1.73B1.65B1.54B1.37B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow301.88M301.88M228.81M273.51M452.25M220.31M
Operating Cash Flow364.36M364.36M283.96M343.89M501.66M251.43M
Investing Cash Flow-125.50M-125.50M-53.83M-323.48M-184.33M-61.38M
Financing Cash Flow-190.73M-190.73M-116.33M-152.18M-137.44M-66.89M

Korn Ferry Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price73.23
Price Trends
50DMA
73.15
Positive
100DMA
69.70
Positive
200DMA
68.76
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.44
Positive
RSI
49.14
Neutral
STOCH
16.07
Positive
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 73.23 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 73.62, above the 50-day MA of 73.15, and above the 200-day MA of 68.76, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.44 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 49.14 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.07 is Positive, 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 (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$3.86B16.0013.49%2.32%-1.23%44.06%
74
Outperform
$1.05B31.777.18%1.19%8.89%-13.57%
67
Neutral
$3.48B24.44139.13%1.49%1.39%-50.47%
64
Neutral
$3.80B21.2212.75%6.21%-6.95%-41.84%
64
Neutral
$10.73B15.747.56%2.01%2.76%-15.10%
54
Neutral
$1.91B18.36-0.78%5.48%-3.79%-138.56%
49
Neutral
$2.10B52.7631.50%4.44%2.40%-75.66%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KFY
Korn Ferry
73.23
5.89
8.75%
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles
50.37
14.78
41.53%
NSP
Insperity
54.00
-29.75
-35.52%
MAN
ManpowerGroup
41.26
-25.89
-38.56%
RHI
Robert Half
37.03
-21.97
-37.24%
TNET
TriNet Group
70.66
-21.15
-23.04%

Korn Ferry Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Korn Ferry Enters New Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo
Neutral
Jul 2, 2025

On July 1, 2025, Korn Ferry entered into a new credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and other lenders, with Wells Fargo serving as the administrative agent. This agreement marks the termination of a prior credit agreement, indicating a strategic financial restructuring for Korn Ferry.

DividendsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Korn Ferry Declares Cash Dividend for Shareholders
Positive
Jun 17, 2025

On June 17, 2025, Korn Ferry‘s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.48 per share, payable on July 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of July 3, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s confidence in its business strength and strategic execution, as part of its capital allocation strategy.

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 19, 2025