Korn/Ferry International (KFY)
NYSEIndustrialsStaffing & Employment ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-09
$81.13-1.11%
Close 2026-09-09 · 1-day change
NYSEIndustrialsStaffing & Employment ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-09
Intact: The reason to own it still holds.
Korn Ferry is growing revenue about 7% yearly with profit margins steady. The AMS acquisition adds $140 million in EBITDA run-rate next year. Dividends have increased to $0.55 per share, showing strong shareholder returns. The company trades cheaply with a P/E of 13.7, well below peers.
Growth could slow below analyst expectations of 4% revenue growth. Integration of AMS may take longer or deliver less EBITDA. Dividend increases may stall if cash flow weakens.
The stock trades about 19% below our fair value near $90, reflecting modest 4% revenue growth. Our fair value is 20% above the Street median, indicating upside if growth and margins hold.
Breaks if: AMS EBITDA contribution falls below $100 million run-rate by FY27
Breaks if: Quarterly dividend falls below $0.48 per share
This is not a price target or investment advice.
A long-form read on the 1–3 year hold thesis. It updates when the weekly evidence changes.
This investment represents a durable compounder with a focus on talent consulting. The current thesis state is intact, supported by recent strong financial performance despite some volatility in management execution.
The market appears to have priced in a cheap valuation compared to peers, reflecting low expectations for execution quality. There is a slight expectations gap, indicating that the market is not fully confident in the company's ability to maintain its recent momentum.
Fundamentals may continue to show strength in the near term, especially following the completion of the AMS acquisition. However, there is a risk of volatility due to recent management changes and the potential for guidance cuts.
The long-term thesis hinges on the performance of sector bellwethers like PAYX, RHI, and TNET, as their results could impact KFY's momentum. Additionally, management's ability to execute on integration and governance improvements will be crucial.
The most important moves since the prior daily snapshot.
Valuation rose by 11.0 points (from 51.5 to 62.5).
Yes, our read has strengthened. The latest earnings beat supports a positive outlook. Korn Ferry's acquisition of AMS will expand its talent consulting services. The company is driving growth across all business segments. There are no new threats to the thesis at this time.
as of 2026-09-09
Review the evidence to watch, what would become a concern, and what would make it less concerning.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Enhance shareholder returns by increasing dividends and maintaining a quarterly dividend policy.
Stated as a priority in at least 3 quarters including 2026-Q2, 2026-Q3, and 2026-Q4. Dividend per share increased from $0.37 in 2025-Q3 to $0.48 in 2026-Q3, with a further Board declaration of $0.55 per share dividend payable in October 2026. The trajectory shows consistent increases in dividends, delivering on shareholder return enhancement.
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.55 per share payable October 15, 2026.”
“Dividend per share was $0.48 in Q3 FY'26, up from $0.37 in prior quarters.”
“Dividend per share was $0.48, increased from $0.37 in prior year quarters.”
Breaks if: EPS falls below $1.32 next quarter
Breaks if: YoY revenue growth falls below 4% next 4 quarters
Over the next 1 to 3 years, KFY's performance will depend on both external sector conditions and internal management execution. Not investment advice.