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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)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$73.00
▲(11.64% Upside)
Korn Ferry's overall stock score reflects solid financial performance and a positive strategic direction highlighted in the earnings call. The reasonable valuation and attractive dividend yield add to its appeal. However, bearish technical indicators and economic uncertainties present challenges.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong demand for Korn Ferry's services, supporting long-term business stability and expansion.
Digital Transformation
The Talent Suite platform launch signifies a strategic shift towards digital solutions, enhancing service offerings and competitive positioning.
Regional Growth
Strong regional growth in EMEA and APAC demonstrates effective market penetration and diversification, reducing reliance on any single market.
Negative Factors
Cash Flow Management
Decreasing free cash flow growth may hinder future investments and expansion, affecting long-term operational flexibility and growth potential.
Americas Revenue Decline
Declining revenue in the Americas could signal challenges in maintaining market share and demand, impacting overall revenue stability.
Economic Uncertainty
Economic uncertainties, including inflation and tariff issues, may dampen client spending and hinder growth, affecting Korn Ferry's financial performance.

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:Sep 09, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Dec 03, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong performance in key areas such as Executive Search and regional growth in EMEA and APAC. The successful advancement towards integrated solutions and digital transformation indicates a positive strategic direction. However, challenges are posed by a decline in the Americas region's revenue and economic uncertainties impacting the outlook for the next quarter. Overall, the company is navigating the current environment effectively, with growth in strategic areas balancing out the challenges.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Marquee & Diamond Accounts Performance
Marquee & Diamond accounts generated almost 40% of revenue with a 7% fee revenue growth year-over-year.
Executive Search Revenue Growth
Executive Search fee revenue grew 8% in the quarter, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth.
EMEA and APAC Regional Growth
EMEA fee revenue grew 19% and APAC fee revenue grew 12% year-over-year, with growth in all solutions.
Digital Subscription Growth
Digital subscription and licensed new business grew 10% year-over-year, contributing to 39% of total digital new business.
Overall Financial Performance
Consolidated fee revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $709 million, with adjusted EBITDA growing 8% to $120 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share up 11% to $1.31.
Successful Launch of Talent Suite
The Talent Suite platform is on track for a November launch, expected to enhance client insights and decisions through a SaaS platform.
Negative Updates
Americas Region Revenue Decline
Fee revenue in the Americas was down 2% year-over-year due to lower demand in consulting, digital, and professional search and interim.
Uncertain Economic Environment
Global economic challenges, including unresolved tariff issues and inflation concerns, contributed to cautious investment spending.
Conservative Q2 Revenue Guidance
Guidance for Q2 fiscal '26 indicates a potential slight dip in revenue at the midpoint, reflecting economic uncertainties.
Company Guidance
During Korn Ferry's First Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 conference call, the company provided guidance for the second quarter, projecting fee revenue ranging from $690 million to $710 million. They expect an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 17% to 17.5% and consolidated adjusted diluted earnings per share between $1.23 and $1.33. The GAAP diluted earnings per share is anticipated to be between $1.10 and $1.16, factoring in $0.14 per share of accelerated depreciation related to the transition to their new Talent Suite platform. The company remains optimistic about its diverse and integrated solutions strategy, which has driven recent growth, evidenced by executive search fee revenue growth of 8% and digital subscription growth of 10% year-over-year. The call highlighted the company's strong foundation, resilient business model, and commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

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.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.79B2.76B2.80B2.86B2.64B1.82B
Gross Profit731.48M717.99M618.49M2.60B2.51B1.74B
EBITDA454.31M445.56M321.58M389.94M521.72M254.82M
Net Income250.09M246.06M169.15M209.53M326.36M114.45M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.63B3.86B3.68B3.57B3.46B3.06B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments721.13M1.04B983.75M888.86M1.04B914.45M
Total Debt524.37M571.21M580.27M561.24M595.30M598.78M
Total Liabilities1.73B1.99B1.94B1.92B1.91B1.69B
Stockholders Equity1.89B1.87B1.73B1.65B1.54B1.37B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow279.59M301.88M228.81M273.51M452.25M220.31M
Operating Cash Flow354.18M364.36M283.96M343.89M501.66M251.43M
Investing Cash Flow-130.94M-125.50M-53.83M-323.48M-184.33M-61.38M
Financing Cash Flow-186.21M-190.73M-116.33M-152.18M-137.44M-66.89M

Korn Ferry Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price65.39
Price Trends
50DMA
71.27
Negative
100DMA
71.44
Negative
200DMA
68.44
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.79
Positive
RSI
30.35
Neutral
STOCH
23.63
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 65.39 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 69.52, below the 50-day MA of 71.27, and below the 200-day MA of 68.44, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.79 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 30.35 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 23.63 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 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
$3.43B14.1313.55%2.77%0.79%34.85%
$1.21B36.707.18%1.03%8.89%-13.57%
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
$2.85B21.42111.30%1.76%0.99%-47.02%
$2.79B18.8511.27%8.66%-7.27%-43.88%
$1.62B40.5731.50%5.65%2.40%-75.66%
$1.40B-63.73-1.00%7.50%-2.44%-156.01%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KFY
Korn Ferry
65.39
-3.45
-5.01%
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles
58.33
19.78
51.31%
NSP
Insperity
42.98
-33.12
-43.52%
MAN
ManpowerGroup
30.14
-30.15
-50.01%
RHI
Robert Half
26.56
-38.52
-59.19%
TNET
TriNet Group
61.23
-22.47
-26.85%

Korn Ferry Corporate Events

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.

The most recent analyst rating on (KFY) stock is a Buy with a $81.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Korn Ferry stock, see the KFY Stock Forecast page.

Korn Ferry Reports Strong Q1 FY’26 Results
Sep 10, 2025

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm specializing in talent management and organizational strategy, known for its comprehensive approach to solving business challenges across various industries. In its latest earnings report, Korn Ferry announced a 5% year-over-year increase in fee revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, totaling $708.6 million. The company also reported a net income of $66.6 million, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year.

Korn Ferry’s Earnings Call: Strategic Growth Amid Challenges
Sep 10, 2025

Korn Ferry’s recent earnings call painted a picture of strategic resilience and growth, despite facing challenges in certain regions. The sentiment was largely positive, with the company showcasing strong performance in Executive Search and regional growth in EMEA and APAC. However, a decline in the Americas region’s revenue and broader economic uncertainties were noted as potential hurdles. Overall, Korn Ferry appears to be effectively navigating the current economic landscape, leveraging growth in strategic areas to balance out existing challenges.

Business Operations and StrategyDividends
Korn Ferry Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Sep 8, 2025

On September 8, 2025, Korn Ferry‘s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share, payable on October 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of September 26, 2025. This decision is part of Korn Ferry’s balanced capital allocation strategy, reflecting confidence in the company’s business strength and operational discipline.

The most recent analyst rating on (KFY) stock is a Buy with a $88.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Korn Ferry stock, see the KFY Stock Forecast page.

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: Oct 30, 2025