Truist raises Korn/Ferry price target on strong results, tariff resilience

Published 18/06/2025, 22:40
Truist raises Korn/Ferry price target on strong results, tariff resilience

Truist Securities raised its price target on Korn/Ferry (NYSE:KFY) stock to $88.00 from $80.00 on Wednesday, while maintaining a Buy rating on the human capital firm. The company, with a market capitalization of $3.45 billion and a P/E ratio of 15.2, currently offers a 2.88% dividend yield.

The price target increase followed Korn/Ferry’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results, which exceeded market expectations. The company’s shares rose 6% on Wednesday while the broader S&P index remained flat.

Truist attributed the stock’s performance to what it believes were low investor expectations amid concerns that tariff-driven uncertainty might impact demand for the firm’s services. The firm noted that Korn/Ferry’s guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was in-line to slightly above consensus estimates. InvestingPro subscribers can access 8 additional key insights about KFY’s valuation and financial health.

The analyst report highlighted an approximately 8-percentage-point difference in sequential revenue growth guidance between Korn/Ferry and its peer Heidrick & Struggles (HSII), suggesting potential conservatism in Korn/Ferry’s outlook.

Truist identified Korn/Ferry as its preferred investment in the Human Capital sector, citing the strong quarterly results and guidance as factors behind its decision to raise both earnings estimates and the price target.

In other recent news, Korn Ferry reported a strong fiscal fourth quarter for 2025, exceeding analysts’ expectations with an adjusted EPS of $1.32 compared to the forecast of $1.26. The company’s revenue also surpassed projections, reaching $712 million against the anticipated $690.07 million. Korn Ferry’s adjusted EBITDA grew by 8%, with a margin increase of 70 basis points, reflecting improved operational efficiency. The company returned $173 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder value. Additionally, Korn Ferry anticipates fee revenue between $675 million and $695 million for Q1 Fiscal 2026, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.8% to 17.2%. Analyst firms like William Blair and Goldman Sachs have noted the company’s robust performance despite a challenging economic environment. Korn Ferry’s strategic focus on technology, AI, and organizational performance solutions is expected to drive future growth.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.