Robert Half Inc.

What they do

Robert Half provides contract and permanent placement talent in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support through its contract talent solutions and permanent placement talent solutions segments. Its Protiviti subsidiary delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting. The company employs its contract engagement professionals directly and bills clients a fixed rate for hours worked. It discontinued separate division brands in 2022 to unify its go-to-market structure under the Robert Half name.

Revenue drivers

• Contract talent solutions — Largest revenue source; places finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative contract professionals who are Robert Half employees paid by the company and billed to clients at a fixed hourly rate.
• Permanent placement talent solutions — Places candidates in full-time roles and typically earns one-time fees, including conversion fees when a client hires a contract professional to a permanent position.
• Protiviti — Global consulting business delivering internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting services, including regulatory compliance and public sector advisory work.

Recent performance

Second-quarter 2026 net income was $26 million, or $0.26 per share, on revenues of $1.336 billion, versus $41 million, or $0.41 per share, on $1.370 billion in the prior-year quarter. Revenues fell 2 percent on a reported basis and 3 percent on an adjusted basis. First-half 2026 revenues were $2.637 billion, down from $2.722 billion, with net income of $40 million, or $0.40 per share, versus $58 million, or $0.58 per share. Full-year 2025 service revenues were $5.38 billion, down 7.2 percent, with net income of $133 million, down 47.1 percent. Management said the quarter's revenue and earnings exceeded the midpoint of guidance.

Strategy

The company unified its family of Robert Half brands in 2022 under the single Robert Half name to simplify go-to-market structure, build brand awareness and preserve flexibility to expand functional specializations. It has broadened services beyond accounting and finance into administrative and customer support, technology, financial project, consulting, legal, and marketing and creative talent solutions. Management emphasizes a combination of high-tech capabilities and high-touch expertise to connect clients with specialized talent and consulting services. Protiviti remains a separate brand for consulting and advisory work.

Risks

• Economic and employment sensitivity — Demand for talent solutions is highly dependent on the state of the economy and client staffing needs, and weaker economic conditions or higher unemployment can sharply reduce revenue and profits.
• Reputation dependence — The business relies on its reputation and name recognition to secure engagements and attract skilled candidates, and dissatisfaction with placed employees or consultants can harm its client base.
• Short-term contract reliance — Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by extrapolating past trends.
• Competition and margin pressure — New entrants or expansion by existing competitors could reduce demand for services or pressure the company's ability to maintain margins.

Outlook

Management said hiring demand continues to improve and market conditions are increasingly more supportive of the business. Talent solutions delivered its third consecutive quarter of sequential adjusted revenue growth, while permanent placement posted adjusted year-over-year revenue growth of 2.5 percent. The company highlighted its positioning to help clients navigate a dynamic business environment and connect them with specialized talent and consulting services.