Truist Securities adjusted its outlook on Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:RHI), a staffing firm, by reducing its price target from $72.00 to $62.00 while maintaining a Hold rating on the company's shares.
The revision, which came on Thursday, follows the company's second-quarter earnings miss and the release of third-quarter guidance that did not meet expectations. "We expect RHI shares to trade down today (indicated $58.50 at the midpoint of pre-market bid-ask spread) on the 2Q miss and downside 3Q guidance," said an analyst from Truist Securities.
The staffing company, which primarily serves small to medium-sized business (SMB) clients, is reportedly facing headwinds due to these clients' reluctance to add talent amidst a challenging operational climate and heightened political uncertainty. Despite these short-term challenges, Truist Securities suggests that Robert Half is in a solid position to benefit from potential improvements in the economic landscape.
The firm also notes the upcoming election as a possible catalyst for the company. The anticipation of the election's outcome is expected to influence the market, potentially leading to changes in the business environment that could favor Robert Half's growth and performance.
Truist Securities has reiterated its Hold rating, signaling that the firm does not recommend either buying or selling Robert Half shares at this time. Instead, the Hold rating suggests a wait-and-see approach, reflecting the analyst's view that the company's stock is expected to perform in line with market or sector averages in the near term.
The revised price target of $62.00 represents Truist Securities' valuation of Robert Half based on the current market conditions and the company's prospects. This target is set despite the company's recent performance issues and the cautious outlook for the third quarter, balancing the potential for economic recovery with the existing market uncertainties.
Meanwhile, Robert Half reported a decrease in both revenues and net income per share for the second quarter of 2024. The company's revenues fell to $1.473 billion, marking a 10% decline from the previous year, and net income per share dropped to $0.66 from $1. Jefferies financial analyst firm adjusted its outlook on Robert Half, reducing the shares target to $56 from $60 while maintaining an Underperform rating on the company's stock.
The decision follows Robert Half's recent performance where it missed consensus revenue by approximately 1% and earnings per share (EPS) by roughly 3%. This shortfall was attributed to ongoing weak demand, with both clients and candidates exercising caution and sales cycles lengthening. The firm's stance remains cautious regarding Robert Half, citing no visible signs of a positive shift in the broader labor market.
InvestingPro Insights
Amid the revised outlook from Truist Securities, Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE:RHI) presents a mixed financial canvas, according to real-time data from InvestingPro. The company holds a market capitalization of $6.69 billion, with a Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.52, reflecting investor sentiment about its earnings potential. Notably, the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 stands at 18.95, suggesting a somewhat more favorable valuation when considering normalized earnings. Additionally, Robert Half's dividend yield is currently 3.27%, which is attractive to income-focused investors, especially considering the company's impressive history of raising its dividend for 20 consecutive years.
From an operational standpoint, Robert Half's gross profit margin in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 is solid at 39.79%, despite a revenue decline of 13.83% during the same period. This indicates the company's ability to maintain profitability margins in tough market conditions. Two InvestingPro Tips for Robert Half highlight the company's financial prudence: management's aggressive share buybacks and the fact that it holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet. These actions may provide a cushion against market volatility and underline the company's commitment to shareholder value.
For investors looking to delve deeper into Robert Half's financials and future outlook, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed through the dedicated page for Robert Half at Investing.com. Interested readers can also take advantage of a special offer using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, unlocking a wealth of financial analysis and market insights.
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