New York, February 1, 2026, 06:45 (EST) — Market closed
- Shares ended Friday up 27.76% at $34.61 but slipped 0.3% in after-hours trading
- Company highlighted improving sequential trends and provided first-quarter guidance
- Ahead of crucial U.S. labor figures, analysts at Truist and JPMorgan bumped up their price targets
Robert Half shares closed Friday up 27.76% at $34.61 before dipping 0.3% after hours to $34.50. With U.S. markets closed Sunday, investors will be watching to see if Monday’s open sustains the momentum. (StockAnalysis)
The staffing firm’s shift is significant since recruiters are right at the heart of the hiring process. When clients dial back on hiring or trim contract roles, staffing revenue and margins tend to take a hit fast.
The jump comes at a tricky time: investors are scrambling to figure out if demand for skilled workers is leveling off or merely taking a breather before another downturn. That puts near-term guidance and any labor data insights under the microscope for the next session.
During the earnings call, the company revealed fourth-quarter enterprise revenue of $1.302 billion and earnings per share at $0.32, both slipping compared to last year. Still, management highlighted improving sequential trends. M. Keith Waddell described the company as “very well positioned,” while Michael C. Buckley laid out first-quarter guidance between $1.26 billion and $1.36 billion in revenue, with EPS expected from $0.08 to $0.18. (MarketBeat)
Sequential growth means revenue increased from the previous quarter, not from the same period last year — a comparison that remains soft for many staffing firms. This kind of quarter-to-quarter gain can be a key early signal in the industry, often appearing before annual growth picks up. But it can vanish quickly if clients put projects on hold again.
Analysts wasted no time after the earnings release. Truist Securities bumped its price target to $40 from $35 on Friday, maintaining a Buy rating despite lowering EPS estimates due to higher expected selling, general, and administrative expenses. The firm also noted the stock has dropped over 55% in the past year. (Investing)
JPMorgan’s Andrew C. Steinerman raised his price target to $31 from $29 but kept a Neutral rating, StreetInsider reports. (Streetinsider)
Bulls face the risk that price moves get ahead of the underlying fundamentals. Corporate budgets still heavily influence staffing demand, and a cooling in hiring might force clients to opt for shorter contracts, delayed starts, and tougher pricing — all factors that can squeeze margins even if revenue holds steady.
Labor data will likely drive the next market moves. The U.S. jobs report lands February 6, with economists Reuters surveyed predicting January nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000. Federal Reserve officials flagged signs this week that labor market conditions may be stabilizing. “We haven’t really gotten a lot of clean looks at the state of the labor market,” noted Michael Reynolds, vice president of investment strategy at Glenmede. (Reuters)
Monday’s session for Robert Half hinges on follow-through—will buyers hold after the quick price adjustment? Analysts may also adjust their models once they’ve had time to process the guidance. The next major event to watch is the jobs report on February 6.
