Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain information contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in other parts of this report may be deemed forward-looking statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect the future operating results or financial positions of Robert Half Inc. (the “Company”). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees or promises that goals or targets will be met. These statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “potential,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” or variations or negatives thereof or by similar or comparable words or phrases. In addition, historical, current and forward-looking information about the Company’s corporate responsibility and compliance programs, including targets or goals, may not be considered material for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other mandatory reporting purposes and may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing; on internal controls, diligence or processes that are evolving; on representations reviewed or provided by third parties; and on assumptions that are subject to change in the future. Forward-looking statements are estimates only and are based on management’s current expectations, currently available information, and current strategy, plans or forecasts, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, often beyond the Company’s control and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes, or the timing of these results or outcomes, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: changes to or new interpretations of United States of America (“U.S.”) or international tax regulations; the global financial and economic situation; changes in levels of unemployment and other economic conditions in the U.S. or foreign countries where the Company does business, or in particular regions or industries; reduction in the supply of candidates for contract employment or the Company’s ability to attract candidates; the development, proliferation and adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) by the Company and the third parties it serves; the entry of new competitors into the marketplace or expansion by existing competitors; the ability of the Company to maintain existing client relationships and attract new clients in the context of changing economic or competitive conditions; the impact of competitive pressures, including any change in the demand for the Company’s services, or the Company’s ability to maintain its margins; the possibility of the Company incurring liability for its activities, including the activities of its engagement professionals, or for events impacting its engagement professionals on clients’ premises; the possibility that adverse publicity could impact the Company’s ability to attract and retain clients and candidates; the success of the Company in attracting, training and retaining qualified management personnel and other staff employees; the Company’s ability to comply with governmental regulations affecting personnel services businesses in particular or employer/employee relationships in general; whether there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services; the Company’s reliance on short-term contracts for a significant percentage of its business; litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities, including litigation that may be disclosed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings; the impact of extreme weather conditions on the Company and its candidates and clients; the ability of the Company to manage its international operations and comply with foreign laws and regulations; the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the possibility that the additional costs the Company will incur as a result of health care or other reform legislation may adversely affect the Company’s profit margins or the demand for the Company’s services; the possibility that the Company’s computer and communications hardware and software systems could be damaged or their service interrupted, or that the Company could experience a cybersecurity breach; and the possibility that the Company may fail to maintain adequate financial and management controls, and as a result suffer errors in its financial reporting. Additionally, with respect to Protiviti, other risks and uncertainties include the fact that future success will depend on its ability to retain employees and attract clients; there can be no assurance that there will be ongoing demand for broad-based consulting, regulatory compliance, technology services, public sector or other high-demand advisory services; failure to produce projected revenues could adversely affect financial results; and there is the possibility of involvement in litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities. Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company’s business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update information in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, and notwithstanding any historical practice of doing so.
Executive Overview
The Company’s service revenues were $5.38 billion in 2025, a decrease of 7.2% from the prior year. Full-year 2025 net income decreased 47.1% to $133 million and diluted net income per share decreased 45.5% to $1.33. The Company’s results were impacted by the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty that affects client and candidate confidence, lengthening decision cycles and delaying hiring activities and projects in the short term.
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Demand for the Company’s contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions and Protiviti is largely dependent upon general economic and labor trends both domestically and abroad. The U.S. real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 4.4% in the third quarter of 2025 (the latest information available as of the date of this filing), compared to an increase of 2.3% in 2024. Concerns around a near-term economic downturn have moderated, supported by a more conducive macro environment. Continued progress in the rate-cutting cycle, easing inflation, less regulation and relatively more clarity on trade policy all contribute.
The U.S. job market remains resilient with overall unemployment at 4.4% in December 2025, up from 4.1% in December 2024. Particularly noteworthy is that the unemployment rate for college-educated professionals is holding steady at just 2.8%, with even lower rates prevailing among specialized accounting, finance and technology roles. Although current hiring and quit rates remain subdued and well below post-Covid highs, job openings continue to be well above historical levels, indicating strong pent-up hiring demand.
The Company continues to invest in technology and innovation, including AI. Major focus areas include providing a world-class digital experience for clients and candidates that is seamlessly connected to the Company’s specialized professional recruiters. Also, the Company will continue to leverage its proprietary data assets to enhance the AI tools its recruiters use to discover, assess and select talent for its clients, and the AI tools recruiters use to effectively target leads for additional revenue. Protiviti continues to invest in and deploy AI-enabled solutions by integrating AI into its existing offerings while aiming to enhance its own AI infrastructure.
The Company monitors various economic indicators and business trends in all of the countries in which it operates to anticipate demand for the Company’s services. These trends are evaluated to determine the appropriate level of investment, including personnel, which will best position the Company for success in the current and future global macroeconomic environment. The Company’s investments in headcount are typically structured to proactively support and align with expected revenue growth trends and productivity metrics. Visibility into future revenues is limited not only due to the dependence on macroeconomic and labor market conditions noted above, but also because of the relatively short duration of the Company’s client engagements. Accordingly, the Company’s headcount and other investments are typically assessed on at least a quarterly basis. During 2025 the Company’s headcount remained relatively flat for its contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions and Protiviti segments when compared to prior year-end levels, while administrative headcount decreased.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
As described below, the Company’s most critical accounting policies and estimates are those that involve subjective decisions or assessments.
Service Revenues. The Company derives its revenues from three segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions, and Protiviti. Revenues are recognized when promised goods or services are delivered to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. See Note C—“Revenue Recognition” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II—Item 8 of this report.
Income Taxes. The Company’s operations are subject to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities and its provision for income taxes, the Company makes judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws that are applicable to its operations in various jurisdictions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured and recorded using current enacted tax rates, which the Company expects will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are recovered or settled. The likelihood of a material change in the Company’s expected realization of its deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income and the effectiveness of its tax planning in the various relevant jurisdictions.
The Company also evaluates the need for valuation allowances to reduce the deferred tax assets to realizable amounts. Management evaluates all positive and negative evidence and uses judgment regarding past and future events, including operating results, to help determine when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. When appropriate, a valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. Valuation allowances of $33.2 million and $26.4 million were recorded as of December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. The valuation allowances recorded relate primarily to net operating losses in certain international operations. If such losses are ultimately utilized to offset future operating income, the Company will recognize a tax benefit up to the full amount of the related valuation reserve.
Previously, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), an international association of many countries including the U.S., introduced a framework to impose a 15% global minimum corporate tax, referred to as Pillar Two, effective for tax years beginning in 2024. On January 5, 2026, the OECD released new guidance establishing the Side-by-Side (“SbS”) program under the Pillar Two global minimum tax framework. The SbS program includes a Simplified Effective Tax
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Rate Safe Harbor, an extended Transitional Country-by-Country Reporting Safe Harbor, and a Substance-based Tax Incentive Safe Harbor. The Company does not expect the SbS guidance to materially affect its tax obligations and will continue to monitor global implementation.
While management believes that its judgments and interpretations regarding income taxes are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience may materially affect the future financial results of the Company.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note B—“New Accounting Pronouncements” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II—Item 8 of this report.
Results of Operations
The Company analyzes its operating results for three reportable segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions and Protiviti. The contract talent solutions and permanent placement talent solutions segments provide engagement professionals and full-time personnel, respectively, for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and executive search. The Protiviti segment provides internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions.
Demand for the Company’s services is largely dependent upon global economic and labor trends. Because of the inherent difficulty in predicting economic trends, future demand for the Company’s services cannot be forecast with certainty.
The Company’s talent solutions segments conduct operations through offices in the U.S. and 18 other countries, while Protiviti has offices in the U.S. and 13 other countries.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The financial results of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) and the rules of the SEC. To help readers understand the Company’s financial performance, the Company supplements its GAAP financial results with the following non-GAAP measures: adjusted gross margin; adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses; adjusted operating income; and adjusted revenue growth rates.
The following measures: adjusted gross margin, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses, and adjusted operating income, include gains and losses on investments held to fund the Company’s obligations under employee deferred compensation plans. The Company provides these measures because they are used by management to review its operational results.
Adjusted revenue growth rates represent year-over-year revenue growth rates after removing the impacts on reported revenues from the changes in the number of billing days and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company provides this data because it focuses on the Company’s revenue growth rates attributable to operating activities and aids in evaluating revenue trends over time. The impacts from the changes in billing days and foreign currency exchange rates are calculated as follows:
•Billing days impact is calculated by dividing each comparative period’s reported revenues by the number of billing days for that period to arrive at a per billing day amount. Same billing day growth rates are then calculated based on the per billing day amounts. Management calculates a global, weighted-average number of billing days for each reporting period based upon inputs from all countries and all functional specializations and segments.
•Foreign currency impact is calculated by retranslating current-period international revenues using foreign currency exchange rates from the prior year’s comparable period.
The non-GAAP financial measures provided herein may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in the Company’s industry, as other companies may calculate such financial results differently. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to amounts presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company does not consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for, or superior to, the information provided by GAAP financial results. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is provided on the following pages.
Refer to Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of this report for further discussion of the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
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Years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024
Service Revenues. The Company’s revenues were $5.38 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of 7.2%, compared to $5.80 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. Revenues from U.S. operations decreased 7.7% to $4.17 billion (77.6% of total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $4.52 billion (78.0% of total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2024. Revenues from international operations decreased 5.4% to $1.21 billion (22.4% of total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1.28 billion (22.0% of total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2024. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.
Contract talent solutions revenues were $2.99 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, decreasing by 11.0% compared to revenues of $3.36 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. Key drivers of contract talent solutions revenues include average hourly bill rates and the number of hours worked by the Company’s engagement professionals on client engagements. The decrease in contract talent solutions revenues for 2025 was primarily due to a 14.1% decrease in the number of hours worked by the Company’s engagement professionals, partially offset by a 3.5% increase in average bill rates.On an as adjusted basis, contract talent solutions revenues decreased 10.8% for 2025 compared to 2024. In the U.S., 2025 revenues decreased 10.6% on a reported basis, and decreased 10.3% on an as adjusted basis, compared to 2024. International revenues for 2025 decreased 12.1% on a reported basis, and decreased 12.7% on an as adjusted basis, compared to 2024.
Permanent placement talent solutions revenues were $440 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, decreasing by 9.8% compared to revenues of $487 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Key drivers of permanent placement talent solutions revenues consist of the number of candidate placements and average fees earned per placement. The decrease in permanent placement talent solutions revenues for 2025 was due to a 13.6% decrease in the number of placements, partially offset by a 3.8% increase in average fees earned per placement. On an as adjusted basis, permanent placement talent solutions revenues decreased 9.6% for 2025 compared to 2024. In the U.S., 2025 revenues decreased 9.9% on a reported basis, and decreased 9.5% on an as adjusted basis, compared to 2024. International revenues for 2025 revenues decreased 9.6% on a reported basis, and decreased 10.0% on an as adjusted basis, compared to 2024. Historically, demand for permanent placement talent solutions is even more sensitive to economic and labor market conditions than demand for contract talent solutions and this is expected to continue.
Protiviti revenues were $1.95 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, decreasing by 0.1% compared to revenues of $1.95 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. Key drivers of Protiviti revenues are the billable hours worked on client engagements and average hourly bill rates. The decrease in Protiviti revenues for 2025 was due to a 7.3% decrease in average hourly bill rate, partially offset by a 7.2% increase in billable hours. The decrease in the average hourly bill rate was primarily driven by the relative mix of contractors and full-time staff and their related experience levels deployed on engagements. On an as adjusted basis, Protiviti revenues decreased 0.1% for 2025 compared to 2024. In the U.S., 2025 revenues decreased 2.5% on a reported basis, and decreased 2.2% on an as adjusted basis, compared to 2024. International revenues for 2025 revenues increased 10.9% on a reported basis, and increased 8.8% on an as adjusted basis, compared to 2024.
A reconciliation of the non-GAAP year-over-year revenue growth rates to the reported year-over-year revenue growth rates for the year ended December 31, 2025, is presented in the following table:
Global United States International
Contract talent solutions
Billing Days Impact 0.5 % 0.3 % 0.5 %
Currency Impact -0.3 % — -1.1 %
Permanent placement talent solutions
As Reported -9.8 % -9.9 % -9.6 %
Billing Days Impact 0.5 % 0.4 % 0.5 %
Currency Impact -0.3 % — -0.9 %
Protiviti
Billing Days Impact 0.5 % 0.3 % 0.6 %
Currency Impact -0.5 % — -2.7 %
As Adjusted -0.1 % -2.2 % 8.8 %
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Gross Margin. The Company’s gross margin dollars were $2.00 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 10.9% from $2.25 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.
Gross margin dollars for contract talent solutions represent revenues less costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes and benefit costs for engagement professionals, and reimbursable expenses. The key drivers of gross margin are: i) pay-bill spreads, which represent the differential between wages paid to engagement professionals and amounts billed to clients; ii) fringe costs, which are primarily composed of payroll taxes and benefit costs; and iii) conversion revenues, which are earned when a contract position converts to a permanent position with the Company’s client.
Gross margin dollars for contract talent solutions were $1.17 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 11.4% from $1.32 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin dollars for contract talent solutions were 39.0% in 2025, down from 39.2% in 2024.
Gross margin dollars for permanent placement talent solutions represent revenues less reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for permanent placement talent solutions were $439 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 9.8% from $486 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Because reimbursable expenses for permanent placement talent solutions are de minimis, the decrease in gross margin dollars is substantially explained by the decrease in revenues previously discussed.
Gross margin dollars for Protiviti represent revenues less costs of services, which consist primarily of professional staff payroll, payroll taxes, benefit costs and reimbursable expenses. The primary drivers of Protiviti’s gross margin are: i) the relative composition of and number of professional staff and their respective pay and bill rates; and ii) staff utilization, which is the relationship of time spent on client engagements in proportion to the total time available for the Company’s Protiviti staff. Gross margin dollars for Protiviti were $397 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 10.7% from $444 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, reported gross margin dollars for Protiviti were 20.4% in 2025, down from 22.8% in 2024. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted gross margin dollars for Protiviti were 21.6% in 2025, down from 23.7% in 2024. The year-over-year decrease in adjusted gross margin percentage was primarily due to the relative composition of and number of professional staff and their respective pay and bill rates.
The Company’s gross margin by reporting segment is summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, Relationships
As Reported As Adjusted As Reported As Adjusted
Gross Margin
The following tables provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP adjusted gross margin to reported gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 (in thousands):
Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
$ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue
Gross Margin
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Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
$ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue
Gross Margin
(1)Changes in the Company’s deferred compensation obligations related to Protiviti operations are included in costs of services, while the related investment income is presented separately. The non-GAAP financial adjustments shown in the table above are to reclassify investment income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts to the same line item that includes the corresponding change in obligation. These adjustments have no impact on income before income taxes.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of staff compensation, advertising, variable overhead, depreciation and occupancy costs. The Company’s reported selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.93 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 4.0% from $2.01 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, reported selling, general and administrative expenses were 35.8% in 2025, up from 34.6% in 2024. The Company’s adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.84 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 4.5% from $1.93 billion in 2024. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses were 34.3% in 2025, up from 33.3% in 2024. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions, on an as-reported basis, were $1.19 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, decreasing 4.9% from $1.25 billion the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, reported selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions were 39.9% in 2025, up from 37.3% in 2024. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions were 37.4% in 2025, up from 35.3% in 2024, due primarily to negative leverage as revenues decreased as a result of economic conditions.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement talent solutions were $426 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, decreasing by 5.2% from $449 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, reported selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement talent solutions services were 96.9% in 2025, up from 92.1% in 2024. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement talent solutions were 94.9% in 2025, up from 90.3% in 2024, due primarily to negative leverage as revenues decreased as a result of economic conditions.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for Protiviti were $308 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, increasing by 1.3% from $304 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for Protiviti were 15.8% in 2025, up from 15.6% in 2024.
The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses by reportable segment are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, Relationships
As Reported As Adjusted As Reported As Adjusted
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
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The following tables provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses to reported selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 (in thousands):
Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
$ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
$ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
(1)Changes in the Company’s employee deferred compensation plan obligations related to talent solutions operations are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, while the related investment income is presented separately. The non-GAAP financial adjustments shown in the table above are to reclassify investment income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts to the same line item that includes the corresponding change in obligation. These adjustments have no impact on income before income taxes.
Operating Income The Company’s operating income consists of gross margin less selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company’s reported operating income was $76 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 68.3% compared to $241 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, reported operating income was 1.4% for the year ended December 31, 2025, down from 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s adjusted operating income was $183 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 45.6% from $336 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted operating income was 3.4% for the year ended December 31, 2025, down from 5.8% for the year ended December 31, 2024. Since operating income is defined as gross margin less selling, general and administrative expenses, the year over year change is explained by factors previously discussed.
The Company’s operating income (loss) by reporting segment is summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, Relationships
As Reported As Adjusted As Reported As Adjusted
Operating Income (Loss)
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The following tables provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP adjusted operating income to reported operating income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024:
Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
$ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue
Operating Income (Loss)
Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
$ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue
Operating Income
(1)Changes in the Company’s employee deferred compensation plan obligations related to talent solutions operations are included in operating income (loss). The non-GAAP financial adjustments shown in the table above are to reclassify investment income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts to the same line item that includes the corresponding change in obligation. These adjustments have no impact on income before income taxes.
Income from Investments Held in Employee Deferred Compensation Trusts. Under the Company’s employee deferred compensation plans, employees direct the investment of their account balances and the Company invests amounts held in the associated investment trusts consistent with these directions. As realized and unrealized investment gains and losses occur, the Company’s employee deferred compensation plan obligations change and adjustments are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, or in the case of Protiviti, costs of services. The value of the related investment trust assets also changes by the equal and offsetting amount, leaving no net costs to the Company, and therefore no effect on reported net income. The Company’s income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts consists primarily of unrealized and realized gains and losses and dividend income from trust investments and is presented separately on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts was $106 million and $94 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. The income from trust investments was due to positive market returns during 2025.
Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes was 31.6% and 29.7% for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. The higher tax rate for 2025 can be attributed to an increased impact of nondeductible expenses and fewer tax credits.
On July 4, 2025, the United States enacted tax reform legislation through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “Tax Act”). Included in this legislation are provisions that allow for the immediate expensing of domestic United States research and development expenses, immediate expensing of certain capital expenditures, and other changes to the U.S. taxation of profits derived from foreign operations. The Tax Act did not have a material impact on income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023
A discussion of changes regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and at www.roberthalf.com/investor-center.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
The change in the Company’s liquidity during the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, is primarily the net effect of funds generated by operations and the funds used for capital expenditures, investments in employee deferred compensation trusts net of redemptions from employee deferred compensation trusts, repurchases of common stock, and payments of dividends.
Cash and cash equivalents were $464 million and $538 million at December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. Operating activities provided $320 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, offset by $86 million and $330 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively. Operating activities provided $410 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, offset by $87 million and $496 million of net cash used in investing and financing activities, respectively. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates had the effect of increasing reported cash and cash equivalents by $22 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to a decrease of $21 million in 2024.
Operating activities—Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $320 million. This was composed of net income of $133 million, adjusted upward for non-cash items of $88 million, and cash provided by changes in working capital of $99 million. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $410 million. This was composed of net income of $252 million, adjusted upward for non-cash items of $68 million, and cash provided by changes in working capital of $90 million.
Investing activities—Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $86 million. This was composed of capital expenditures of $53 million, investments in employee deferred compensation trusts of $80 million, and payments for acquisitions of $11 million, partially offset by proceeds from employee deferred compensation trust redemptions of $58 million. Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $87 million. This was composed of capital expenditures of $56 million, and investments in employee deferred compensation trusts of $69 million, partially offset by proceeds from employee deferred compensation trust redemptions of $38 million.
Capital expenditures, including $29 million related to cloud computing implementations, in 2025 totaled $82 million, approximately 65% of which represented investments in software initiatives and technology infrastructure, both of which are important to the Company’s sustainability and future growth opportunities. Capital expenditures for cloud computing arrangements are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Capital expenditures included amounts spent on tenant improvements and furniture and equipment in the Company’s leased offices. The Company currently expects 2026 capitalized expenditures will range from $70 million to $90 million, of which $45 million to $60 million relates to software initiatives and technology infrastructure, including capitalized costs relating to the implementation of cloud computing arrangements.
Financing activities—Cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $330 million. This included repurchases of $92 million in common stock and $238 million in dividends paid to stockholders. Cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $496 million. This included repurchases of $276 million in common stock and $220 million in dividends paid to stockholders.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 5.6 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. During the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, the Company repurchased 1.7 million shares, at a cost of $80 million, and 3.5 million shares, at a cost of $249 million, on the open market, respectively. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable statutory withholding taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, such repurchases totaled 0.2 million shares, at a cost of $11 million, and 0.3 million shares, at a cost of $23 million, respectively. Repurchases of shares have been funded with cash generated from operations and from cash reserves.
The Company’s working capital as of December 31, 2025, included $464 million in cash and cash equivalents and $748 million in net accounts receivable, both of which will be a significant source of ongoing liquidity and financial resilience. The Company expects that internally generated cash will be sufficient to support the working capital needs of the Company, the Company’s fixed payments, dividends, and other obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
There is limited visibility into future cash flows as the Company’s revenues and net income are largely dependent on macroeconomic conditions. The Company’s variable direct costs related to its contract talent solutions business will largely fluctuate in relation to its revenues.
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On May 28, 2025, the Company entered into a $100.0 million credit agreement (the “2025 Credit Agreement”) which matures in May 2030. Borrowings under the 2025 Credit Agreement will bear interest in accordance with the terms of the borrowing, which typically will be calculated according to the adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or an alternative base rate, plus an applicable margin. The 2025 Credit Agreement is subject to certain financial covenants, and the Company was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2025. The Company had no borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2025,and maintained $10.1 million in standby letters of credit to satisfy workers’ compensation insurer’s collateral requirements.
In connection with entering into the 2025 Credit Agreement, the Company terminated its prior Credit Agreement dated May 11, 2020 (as amended from time to time, the “2020 Credit Agreement”). At the time of termination, the 2020 Credit Agreement provided for up to $100 million of borrowings and the Company had no outstanding borrowings. There were no early termination fees associated with the Company’s termination of the 2020 Credit Agreement. There were no borrowings outstanding under the 2020 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2025.
On February 12, 2026, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share to be paid to all shareholders of record as of February 25, 2026. The dividend will be paid on March 13, 2026.
Material Cash Requirements from Contractual Obligations
Leases.As of December 31, 2025, the Company reported current and long-term operating lease liabilities of $70 million and $176 million, respectively. These balances consist of the minimum rental commitments for 2026 and thereafter, discounted to reflect the Company’s cost of borrowing, under noncancelable lease contracts executed as of December 31, 2025.
The majority of these leases are for real estate. In the event the Company vacates a location prior to the end of the lease term, the Company may be obliged to continue making lease payments. For further information, see Note F—“Leases” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II—Item 8 of this report.
Purchase Obligations.As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s contractual purchase obligations were $221 million, primarily related to software subscriptions, services, telecom services and software maintenance agreements. Of this amount, $127 million is expected to be paid within the next 12 months. These purchase obligations are incurred during the normal course of business.
Employee Deferred Compensation Plan.As of December 31, 2025, the Company reported employee deferred compensation plan obligations of $772 million in its accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The balances are due to employees based upon elections they make at the time of deferring their funds. The timing of these payments may change based upon factors including termination of the Company’s employment arrangement with a participant. These obligations are funded through contributions to investment trusts, whose assets as of December 31, 2025, exceeded the obligations. Assets of these plans are held by an independent trustee for the sole benefit of participating employees and consist of money market funds and mutual funds.For further information, see Note J—“Employee Deferred Compensation Plans” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II—Item 8 of this report.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Because a portion of the Company’s net revenues is derived from its operations outside the U.S. and is denominated in local currencies, the Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rates relates primarily to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. Exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s reported revenues, expenses, earnings, assets and liabilities.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, approximately 22.4% of the Company’s revenues were generated outside of the U.S. These operations transact business in their functional currency, which is the same as their local currency. As a result, fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, British pound, Canadian dollar and Euro, have an impact on the Company’s reported results. Under GAAP, revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the monthly average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Consequently, as the value of the U.S. dollar changes relative to the currencies of the Company’s international markets, the Company’s reported results vary.
During 2025, the U.S. dollar fluctuated, weakening against the British pound and Euro, and strengthening against the Australian dollar, Brazilian real and Canadian dollar compared to one year ago. Foreign currency exchange rates had the effect of increasing reported revenues by $19.9 million, or 0.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024. The fluctuation of the U.S. dollar also affected the reported level of expenses incurred in the Company’s international operations. Because substantially all the Company’s international operations generated revenues and incurred expenses within the same
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country and currency, the effect of higher reported revenues is largely offset by the increase in reported operating expenses. Reported net income was $1.1 million, or 0.5%, lower for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024 due to the effect of currency exchange rates.
For the one month ended January 31, 2026, the U.S. dollar has weakened against the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, British pound, Canadian dollar and Euro since December 31, 2025. If foreign currency exchange rates were to remain at January 2026 levels throughout 2026, the currency impact on the Company’s full-year reported revenues would be favorable, offset by an unfavorable impact on operating expenses. These results will likely have an immaterial impact on reported net income.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar amount of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s international subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at period end. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Although currency fluctuations impact the Company’s reported results and shareholders’ equity, such fluctuations generally do not affect cash flow or result in actual economic gains or losses. The Company generally has few cross-border transfers of funds, which consist of dividends from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and transfers to and from the U.S. related to intercompany working capital requirements.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ROBERT HALF INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(in thousands, except share amounts)
December 31,
ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Employee deferred compensation plan obligations 771,630 678,403
Commitments and Contingencies (Note L)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued — —
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (29,183) (65,138)
Retained earnings — 24,889
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROBERT HALF INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
Net income per share:
Weighted average shares:
Dividends declared per share $ 2.36 $ 2.12 $ 1.92
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROBERT HALF INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax 2,997 398 (187)
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROBERT HALF INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Shares Par Value
Other comprehensive income (loss) — — — 10,997 — 10,997
Net issuances of restricted stock 889 1 (1) — — —
Other comprehensive income (loss) — — — (32,512) — (32,512)
Net issuances of restricted stock 794 1 (1) — — —
Other comprehensive income (loss) — — — 35,955 — 35,955
Net issuances of restricted stock 837 1 (1) — — —
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROBERT HALF INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (10,722) (264) (1,035)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Non-cash items:
Repurchases of common stock awaiting settlement $ — $ — $ 4,394
Contingent consideration related to acquisition $ 2,685 $ — $ 350
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations. Robert Half Inc. (the “Company”) is a specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. Robert Half® offers contract talent solutions and permanent placement talent solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and provides executive search services. Robert Half is also the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions.
The Company operates in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The Company is a Delaware corporation.
Basis of Presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (“GAAP”) in the United States of America (“U.S.”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2024 presentation.
Principles of Consolidation. The Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As of December 31, 2025, such estimates include allowances for credit losses, variable consideration, workers’ compensation losses, accrued medical expenses, income and other taxes, and assumptions used in the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment and in the valuation of stock grants subject to market conditions. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions.
Service Revenues. The Company derives its revenues from three segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions, and Protiviti. Revenues are recognized when promised goods or services are delivered to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. See Note C—“Revenue Recognition” for further discussion of the revenue recognition accounting policy.
Costs of Services. Direct costs of contract talent solutions consist of payroll, payroll taxes and benefit costs for the Company’s engagement professionals, as well as reimbursable expenses. Direct costs of permanent placement talent solutions consist of reimbursable expenses. Protiviti direct costs of services include professional staff payroll, payroll taxes and benefit costs, as well as reimbursable expenses.
Advertising Costs. The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $46.1 million, $53.9 million and $54.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Income from Investments Held in Employee Deferred Compensation Trusts. Under the Company’s employee deferred compensation plans, employees direct the investment of their account balances, and the Company invests amounts held in the associated investment trusts consistent with these directions. As realized and unrealized investment gains and losses occur, the Company’s employee deferred compensation plan obligations change and adjustments are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses or, in the case of Protiviti, costs of services. The value of the related investment trust assets also changes by an equal and offsetting amount, leaving no net cost to the Company, and therefore no effect on reported net income. The Company’s income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts consists of unrealized and realized gains and losses, and dividend income from trust investments and is presented separately on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table presents the Company’s income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
The following table presents the Company’s increase in employee deferred compensation costs and expense related to changes in the fair value of trust assets for its nonqualified employee deferred compensation plans (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Comprehensive Income (Loss). Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and certain other items that are recorded directly to stockholders’ equity. The Company’s only sources of other comprehensive income (loss) are foreign currency translation and foreign defined benefit plan adjustments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less as cash equivalents. This includes money market funds that meet the requirements to be treated as cash equivalents. However, money market funds held in investment trusts that are being used as investments to satisfy the Company’s obligations under its employee deferred compensation plans are treated as investments and are included in employee deferred compensation trust assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured and classified in accordance with a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the observability of the inputs available in the market to measure fair value, summarized as follows:
Level 1: observable inputs for identical assets or liabilities, such as quoted prices in active markets
Level 2: inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly
Level 3: unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires management’s best estimates and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, net accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of their short-term nature. The Company holds mutual funds and money market funds to satisfy its obligations under its employee deferred compensation plans which are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial instruments by significant category and fair value measurement on a recurring basis (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements Using
Cash equivalents
Employee deferred compensation trust assets
Total employee deferred compensation trust assets $ 773,938 $ 773,938 — —
Fair Value Measurements Using
Cash equivalents
Employee deferred compensation trust assets
Total employee deferred compensation trust assets $ 673,240 $ 673,240 — —
Certain items, such as goodwill and other intangible assets, are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The Company determines the fair value of these items using Level 3 inputs. There are inherent limitations when estimating the fair value of financial instruments, and the fair values reported are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in current market transactions.
Allowance for Credit Losses. The Company is exposed to credit losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company establishes an allowance for these potential credit losses based on its review of customers’ credit profiles, historical loss statistics, prepayments, recoveries, age of customer receivable balances, current business conditions and macroeconomic trends. The Company considers risk characteristics of trade receivables based on asset type and geographical locations to evaluate trade receivables on a collective basis. The Company applies credit loss estimates to these pooled receivables to determine expected credit losses.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for credit losses from December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
Allowance for Credit Losses
Charges to expense 5,286
Other, including translation adjustments (505)
Charges to expense 3,151
Other, including translation adjustments 1,275
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:
Computer hardware 2 to 3 years
Computer software 2 to 5 years
Furniture and equipment 3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements Term of lease
Internal-use Software. The Company develops and implements software for internal use to enhance the performance and capabilities of the operating technology infrastructure. Direct costs incurred for the development of internal-use software are capitalized from the time when the completion of the internal-use software is considered probable until the software is ready for use. All other preliminary and planning stage costs are expensed as incurred. Cloud computing implementation costs incurred in hosting arrangements are capitalized and reported as a component of other current assets and other noncurrent assets, while all other capitalized internal-use software development costs are reported as a component of computer software within property and equipment on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, ranging from two to five years.
Leases. The Company determines if a contractual arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current operating lease liabilities and noncurrent operating lease liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company does not currently have finance leases.
ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the possession date (generally, this is the commencement date) of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The lease payments included in the present value are fixed lease payments and fixed management fees. The operating lease ROU assets include any payments made before the commencement date and exclude lease incentives. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company estimates its collateralized incremental borrowing rate, based on information available at the commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company applies the portfolio approach in applying discount rates to its classes of leases. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not have any subleases. The Company does not currently have residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants in its leases. The Company has contracts with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for on a combined basis.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill and intangible assets primarily consist of the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair market value of their net tangible assets at the date of acquisition. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their lives, typically ranging from two to five years. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment assessment during the second quarter in each of the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. There were no events or changes in circumstances during the six months ended December 31, 2025, that caused the Company to perform an interim impairment assessment.
Income Taxes. The Company’s operations are subject to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities and its provision for income taxes, the Company makes judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws that are applicable to its operations in various jurisdictions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured and recorded using current enacted tax rates, which the Company expects will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are recovered or settled. The likelihood of a material change in the Company’s expected realization of its deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income and the effectiveness of its tax planning strategies in the various relevant jurisdictions.
The Company also evaluates the need for valuation allowances to reduce the deferred tax assets to realizable amounts. Management evaluates all positive and negative evidence and uses judgment regarding past and future events, including operating results, to help determine when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. When appropriate, a valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. Valuation allowances of $33.2 million and $26.4 million were recorded as of December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. The valuation allowances recorded related primarily to net operating losses in certain international operations. If such losses are ultimately utilized to offset future segment income, the Company will recognize a tax benefit up to the full amount of the valuation reserve.
Previously, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), an international association of many countries including the U.S., introduced a framework to impose a 15% global minimum corporate tax, referred to as Pillar Two, effective for tax years beginning in 2024. On January 5, 2026, the OECD released new guidance establishing the Side-by-Side (“SbS”) program under the Pillar Two global minimum tax framework. The SbS program includes a Simplified Effective Tax Rate Safe Harbor, an extended Transitional Country-by-Country Reporting Safe Harbor, and a Substance-based Tax Incentive Safe Harbor. The Company does not expect the SbS guidance to materially affect its tax obligations and will continue to monitor global implementation.
Workers’ Compensation. Except for states which require participation in state-operated insurance funds, the Company retains the economic burden for the first $0.5 million per occurrence in workers’ compensation claims. Workers’ compensation includes the ongoing medical and indemnity costs for claims filed, which may be paid over numerous years following the date of injury. Claims in excess of $0.5 million are insured. Workers’ compensation expense includes the insurance premiums for claims in excess of $0.5 million, claims administration fees charged by the Company’s workers’ compensation administrator, premiums paid to state-operated insurance funds, and an estimate for the Company’s liability for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims.
The reserves for IBNR claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims in each reporting period include estimates. The Company has established reserves for workers’ compensation claims using loss development rates which are estimated using periodic third-party actuarial valuations based upon historical loss statistics, which include the Company’s historical frequency and severity of workers’ compensation claims, and an estimate of future cost trends. While management believes that its assumptions and estimates are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the Company’s future results.
Accrued Medical Expenses. The Company offers several medical plans to its employees and retains the economic burden for the first $1.0 million per claimant per year in medical claims. Claims in excess of $1.0 million per year per claimant are insured. Medical expense includes the insurance premiums for claims in excess of $1.0 million, claims administration fees, prescription fees and reimbursements, and an estimate for the Company’s liability for IBNR claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims. Medical expenses are presented as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses, or in the case of Protiviti, costs of services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The reserves for IBNR claims and for the ongoing development of existing claims in each reporting period include estimates. The Company has established reserves for medical claims using rates which are estimated using periodic third-party actuarial valuations based upon historical loss statistics which include the Company’s historical claims data, and an estimate of
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
future claim trends. While management believes that its assumptions and estimates are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the Company’s future results.
Foreign Currency Translation. The reporting currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is their local currency. The results of operations of the Company’s international subsidiaries are translated at the monthly average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The financial position of the Company’s international subsidiaries is translated at the current exchange rates at the end of the period, and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within Stockholders’ Equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and have not been material for all periods presented.
Stock-based Compensation. Under various stock plans, officers, employees, and outside directors have received or may receive grants of restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock.
The Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all stock-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. The Company determines the grant-date fair value of its restricted stock and stock unit awards using the fair market value of its stock on the grant date, unless the awards are subject to market conditions, in which case the Company utilizes an option-pricing model (i.e., Monte Carlo simulation model). The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables to determine the stock-based compensation fair value.
No stock appreciation rights have been granted under the Company’s existing stock plans. The Company has not granted any options to purchase common stock since 2006.
Note B—New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Income Tax Disclosures. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. Under this ASU, public filers must disclose annually (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation, and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold, if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income by the applicable statutory income tax rate. The new guidance is effective for public filers for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted the new guidance for the 2025 Form 10-K annual filing retrospectively, resulting in additional disclosures to the Company’s income tax footnote. The impact of the adoption did not effect the Company’s operating results, cash flows, or financial position.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Income Statement Disclosures. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement, Reporting Comprehensive Income, Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). This ASU requires disclosure of disaggregated information about specific categories underlying certain income statement expense line items in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance is effective for public filers for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Financial Instruments Credit Losses Disclosures. In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-05, Financial Instruments, Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets. This ASU provides a practical expedient related to the estimation of expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets that arise from transactions accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. All entities with this practical expedient are to assume that current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the assets. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The Company has evaluated the impact of the new guidance and determined that the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Internal-Use Software Disclosures. In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other, Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. The amendments in this ASU will remove all references to software development project stages so that the guidance is neutral to different software development methods. Under the new standard, entities will start capitalizing eligible costs when (1) management has authorized and committed to funding the software project, and (2) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Note C—Revenue Recognition
The Company derives its revenues from three segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions, and Protiviti. Revenues are recognized when promised goods or services are delivered to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Service revenues, as presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, represent services rendered to customers less variable consideration, such as sales adjustments and allowances. Reimbursements, including those related to travel and out-of-pocket expenses, are also included in service revenues, and equivalent amounts of reimbursable expenses are included in costs of services.
Contract talent solutions revenues. Contract talent solutions revenues from contracts with customers are recognized in the amount to which the Company has a right to invoice when the services are rendered by the Company’s engagement professionals. The substantial majority of engagement professionals placed on assignment by the Company are the Company’s legal employees while they are working on assignments. The Company pays all related costs of employment, including workers’ compensation insurance, state and federal unemployment taxes, social security and certain fringe benefits. The Company assumes the risk of acceptability of its employees to its customers.
The Company records contract talent solutions revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the presentation of revenues and expenses. The Company has concluded that gross reporting is appropriate because the Company (i) has the risk of identifying and hiring qualified employees, (ii) has the discretion to select the employees and establish their price and duties, and (iii) bears the risk for services that are not fully paid for by customers. Fees paid to time management or vendor management service providers selected by clients are recorded as a reduction of revenues, as the Company is not the primary obligor with respect to those services.
Permanent placement talent solutions revenues. Permanent placement talent solutions revenues from contracts with customers are primarily recognized when employment candidates accept offers of permanent employment. The Company has a substantial history of estimating the financial impact of permanent placement candidates who do not remain with its clients through the 90-day guarantee period. These amounts are established based primarily on historical data and are recorded as liabilities. Fees to clients are generally calculated as a percentage of the new employee’s annual compensation. No fees for permanent placement talent solutions services are charged to employment candidates.
Protiviti revenues. Protiviti’s consulting services are generally provided on a time-and-material basis, fixed-fee basis or unit basis. Revenues earned under time-and-material arrangements and fixed-fee arrangements are recognized using a proportional performance method. Revenue is measured using cost incurred relative to total estimated cost for the engagement to measure progress towards satisfying the Company’s performance obligations. Cost incurred represents work performed and thereby best depicts the transfer of control to the customer. Protiviti’s consulting services generally contain one or more performance obligation(s) which are satisfied over a period of time. Revenues are recognized over time as the performance obligations are satisfied, because the services provided do not have any alternative use to the Company, and contracts generally include language giving the Company an enforceable right to payment for services provided to date. Unit-based revenues are recognized when the service has transferred to the customer. Revenue is recognized based on unit price multiplied by the number of units delivered and based on specific terms outlined in contracts.
The Company periodically evaluates the need to provide for any losses on these projects, and losses are recognized when it is probable that a loss will be incurred.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by functional specialization and segments (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Contract talent solutions
(a)Service revenues for finance and accounting, administrative and customer support, and technology include intersegment revenues, which represent revenues from services provided to the Company’s Protiviti segment in connection with the Company’s blended business solutions. Intersegment revenues for each functional specialization are aggregated and then eliminated as a single line.
Payment terms in the Company’s contracts vary by the type and location of the Company’s customer and the services offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant.
Contracts with multiple performance obligations are recognized as performance obligations are delivered, and contract value is allocated based on relative stand-alone selling values of the services and products in the arrangement. As of December 31, 2025, aggregate transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that were unsatisfied for contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year was $172.0 million. Of this amount, $160.2 million is expected to be recognized within the next 12 months. As of December 31, 2024, aggregate transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that were unsatisfied for contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year was $180.1 million.
Contract liabilities are recorded when cash payments are received or due in advance of performance and are reflected in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The following table sets forth the activity in contract liabilities from December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
Contract
Liabilities
Payments in advance of satisfaction of performance obligations 44,138
Revenue recognized (44,086)
Other, including translation adjustments (621)
Payments in advance of satisfaction of performance obligations 40,677
Revenue recognized (43,838)
Other, including translation adjustments 1,093
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note D—Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Unamortized cloud computing implementation costs 19,826 28,417
Note E—Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Note F—Leases
The Company has operating leases for corporate and field offices, and certain equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to 11 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to seven years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. Operating lease expense was $79.1 million, $82.5 million and $89.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
Weighted average discount rate for operating leases 4.2 % 3.9 % 3.2 %
44
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases as of December 31, 2025, were as follows (in thousands):
Less: Imputed interest (27,955)
Present value of operating lease liabilities (a) $ 245,538
(a) Includes current portion of $69.8 million for operating leases.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had additional future minimum lease obligations totaling $73.0 million under executed operating lease contracts that had not yet commenced. These operating leases include agreements for corporate and field office facilities with lease terms of three years to 11 years.
Note G—Goodwill
The following table sets forth the activity in goodwill from December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
Goodwill
Contract talent solutions Permanent placement talent solutions Protiviti Total
Foreign currency translation adjustments (349) (68) (373) (790)
(a) In April 2025, the Company expanded its operations through two acquisitions. These transactions, executed via the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, resulted in the recognition of $12.4 million in goodwill.
Note H—Other Noncurrent Assets
Other noncurrent assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Unamortized cloud computing implementation costs, noncurrent $ 17,764 $ 10,517
45
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note I—Accrued Payroll and Benefit Costs
Accrued payroll and benefit costs consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Note J—Employee Deferred Compensation Plans
The Company provides various qualified defined contribution 401(k) plans covering eligible employees. The plans offer a savings feature with the Company matching employee contributions. Assets of this plan are held by an independent trustee for the sole benefit of participating employees.
Nonqualified plans are provided for employees on a discretionary basis, including those not eligible for the qualified plans. These plans include provisions for salary deferrals and discretionary contributions. The asset value of the nonqualified plans was $773.9 million and $673.2 million as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Company holds these assets to satisfy the Company’s liabilities under its deferred compensation plans. The liability value for the nonqualified plans was $771.6 million and $678.4 million as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Contribution expenses for the Company’s qualified and nonqualified defined contribution plans were $47.0 million, $46.6 million and $42.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company has statutory defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans outside the United States of America, which are not material.
Note K—Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Current:
Deferred:
Income before the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
46
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The income taxes shown above varied from the statutory federal income tax rates for these periods as follows (in thousands, except for percentages):
Year Ended December 31,
$ % $ % $ %
Effect of cross-border tax laws
Tax credits
Nontaxable or nondeductible items
(a)In 2025, state taxes in California, New Jersey, Illinois, Minnesota and New York made up the majority (majority is defined as greater than 50 percent) of the tax effect in this category. In 2024, state taxes in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, Texas and New York made up the majority of the tax effect in this category. In 2023, state taxes in California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Minnesota made up the majority of the tax effect in this category.
Income taxes paid, net of refunds, for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
47
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Income taxes paid (net of refunds) exceeded 5 percent of total income tax paid (net of refunds) in the following jurisdictions for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Foreign
U.S.
California $ 2,483 * *
*Jurisdiction below the threshold for the period presented.
The deferred portion of the tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Accrued expenses, deducted for tax when paid $ (22,367) $ (23,871) $ (23,456)
The components of the deferred income tax amounts at December 31, 2025, and 2024, were as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
Deferred income tax assets
Employee deferred compensation and other benefit obligations $ 212,739 $ 189,407
Credits and net operating loss carryforwards 44,568 31,337
Deferred income tax liabilities
Amortization of intangible assets (21,470) (20,816)
Property and equipment basis differences (26,315) (757)
48
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Credits and net operating loss carryforwards include tax-effected net operating losses in foreign countries of $42.6 million that expire in 2026 and later, and foreign tax credits of $2.0 million that expire in 2030 and later. Valuation allowances of $31.2 million have been maintained against net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred items in foreign countries. In addition, a valuation allowance of $2.0 million has been maintained against the foreign tax credits.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s consolidated financial statements provide for any related U.S. tax liability on earnings of international subsidiaries that may be repatriated.
The following table reconciles the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
Gross increases—tax positions in prior years 183 1,085 27
Gross decreases—tax positions in prior years (4,299) 0 0
Gross increases—tax positions in current year 1,019 902 769
Lapse of statute of limitations (3) (4,501) (1,923)
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is $5.3 million, $8.4 million and $11.1 million for 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The total amount of interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2025, is $0.9 million, including a $0.5 million decrease recorded in income tax expense during the year. The total amount of interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2024, was $1.4 million, including a $0.3 million increase recorded in income tax expense during the year. The total amount of interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2023, was $1.0 million, including a $0.4 million increase recorded in income tax expense during the year.
The Company’s major income tax jurisdictions are the U.S., Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. For U.S. federal income tax, the Company remains subject to examination for 2022 and subsequent years. For major U.S. states, with few exceptions, the Company remains subject to examination for 2020 and subsequent years. Generally, for foreign countries, the Company remains subject to examination for 2018 and subsequent years. The Company concluded its Internal Revenue Service audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and no material changes were identified.
Note L—Commitments and Contingencies
On March 23, 2015, Plaintiff Jessica Gentry, on her own behalf and on behalf of a putative class of allegedly similarly situated individuals, filed a complaint against the Company in the Superior Court of California, San Francisco County, which was subsequently amended on October 23, 2015. The complaint alleges that a putative class of current and former employees of the Company who resided in California, were denied compensation for the time they spent interviewing “for temporary and permanent employment opportunities” as well as performing activities related to the interview process. The class period runs from March 13, 2010, to present. Gentry seeks recovery on her own behalf and on behalf of the putative class in an unspecified amount for this allegedly unpaid compensation. Gentry also seeks recovery of an unspecified amount for the alleged failure of the Company to provide her and the putative class with accurate wage statements. Gentry also seeks an unspecified amount of other damages, attorneys’ fees and statutory penalties, including penalties for allegedly not paying all wages due upon separation and civil penalties on behalf of herself and other allegedly “aggrieved employees” as defined by California’s Labor Code Private Attorney General Act (“PAGA”). On January 4, 2016, the Court denied a motion by the Company to compel all of Gentry’s claims, except the PAGA claim, to individual arbitration. On March 8, 2024, the Court issued an order certifying: (1) a class of California-based temporary employees who attended at least one uncompensated interview with a third-party client at any time since March 13, 2010; (2) a subclass of class members who held a prior temporary job assignment before interviewing for a subsequent assignment; and (3) a subclass of class members who are no longer employed by the Company (i.e., a “waiting time penalties” subclass). The first phase of the trial in the case on the issue of liability as to the Plaintiff and the class commenced on November 3, 2025. Closing arguments were delivered on January 23, 2026, at which hearing the court requested further legal briefs to be delivered February 13, 2026. The Court is permitting Robert Half to file a motion for decertification. . The timing of a liability ruling is not expected until after a case management conference on March 19, 2026. If the Court’s order on the liability phase finds in favor of Plaintiff on any of her claims, the case will move on to a second phase
49
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
of the trial on the calculation of damages later this year. This phase will have its own discovery and its own separate trial. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding and, accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s Financial Statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.
On April 6, 2018, Plaintiff Shari Dorff, on her own behalf and on behalf of a putative class of allegedly similarly situated individuals, filed a complaint against the Company in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. In addition to certain claims individual to Plaintiff Dorff, the complaint alleges that salaried recruiters based in California have been misclassified as exempt employees and seeks an unspecified amount for: unpaid wages resulting from such alleged misclassification; alleged failure to provide a reasonable opportunity to take meal periods and rest breaks; alleged failure to pay wages on a timely basis both during employment and upon separation; alleged failure to comply with California requirements regarding wage statements and record-keeping; and alleged improper denial of expense reimbursement. Plaintiff Dorff also seeks an unspecified amount of other damages, attorneys’ fees and penalties, including but not limited to statutory penalties on behalf of herself and other allegedly “aggrieved employees” as defined by PAGA. At this stage of the litigation, it is not feasible to predict the outcome of or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding and, accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s Financial Statements. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations and the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the litigation.
The Company is involved in a number of other lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. While management does not expect any of these other matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, litigation is subject to certain inherent uncertainties.
Legal costs associated with the resolution of claims, lawsuits and other contingencies are expensed as incurred.
On May 28, 2025, the Company entered into a $100.0 millioncredit agreement (the “2025 Credit Agreement”) which matures in May 2030. Borrowings under the 2025 Credit Agreement will bear interest in accordance with the terms of the borrowing, which typically will be calculated according to the adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus an applicable margin. The 2025 Credit Agreement is subject to certain financial covenants, and the Company was in compliance with these covenants as ofDecember 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no borrowings under the Credit Agreement, and maintained $10.1 million in standby letters of credit to satisfy workers’ compensation insurer’s collateral requirements.
In connection with entering into the 2025 Credit Agreement, the Company terminated its prior Credit Agreement dated May 11, 2020 (as amended from time to time, the “2020 Credit Agreement”). At the time of termination, the 2020 Credit Agreement provided for up to $100 million of borrowings and the Company had no outstanding borrowings. There were no early termination fees associated with the Company’s termination of the 2020 Credit Agreement. There were no borrowings outstanding under the 2020 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2025.
Note M—Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Repurchase Program. As of December 31, 2025, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 5.6 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. The number and the cost of common stock shares repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
50
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable statutory withholding taxes. The number and the cost of employee stock plan repurchases made during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Repurchases related to employee stock plans (in shares) 193 297 331
The repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented as if constructively retired. Treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method. Treasury stock activity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (consisting of purchase of shares for the treasury) is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.
Dividends. The Company’s Board of Directors may, at their discretion, declare and pay cash dividends upon the shares of the Company’s stock, either out of the Company’s retained earnings or additional paid-in capital. The dividends declared per share were $2.36, $2.12 and $1.92 during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Repurchases of shares and issuances of dividends are applied first to the extent of retained earnings and any remaining amounts are applied to additional paid-in capital.
Note N—Stock Plans
Under various stock plans, officers, employees and outside directors have received or may receive grants of restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock. Grants have been made at the discretion of the Committees of the Board of Directors. Grants generally vest either on a straight-line basis over four years or on a cliff basis over three years. Shares offered under the plan are authorized but unissued shares.
Recipients of restricted stock do not pay any cash consideration to the Company for the shares and have the right to vote all shares subject to such grant. Restricted stock grants contain forfeitable rights to dividends. Dividends for these grants are accrued on the dividend payment dates but are not paid until the shares vest, and dividends accrued for shares that ultimately do not vest are forfeited. Recipients of stock units do not pay any cash consideration for the units, do not have the right to vote and do not receive dividends with respect to such units.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company granted performance shares to its executives in the form of restricted stock. The shares granted contain (1) a performance condition based on Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”), and (2) a market condition based on Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”). The ROIC performance condition and the TSR market condition measure the Company’s performance against a peer group. Shares will be delivered at the end of a three-year vesting, TSR and ROIC performance period based on the Company’s actual performance compared to the peer group. The ROIC performance condition is calculated first and has a range of possible outcomes of zero percent (0%) to one-hundred fifty percent (150%). The TSR condition is considered a modifier of the ROIC performance condition. The range for the TSR condition is seventy-five percent (75%) to one-hundred twenty-five percent (125%). The result calculated by multiplying the ROIC percentage by the TSR percentage is used to calculate the actual number of shares earned. The fair value of this award was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation with the following weighted average assumptions: a historical volatility of 28.3%, a 0% dividend yield, and a risk-free interest rate of 3.9%. The historical volatility was based on the most recent 2.8-year period for the Company and the components of the peer group. The stock price movements have been modeled such that the dividends are incorporated in the returns of each company’s stock, therefore the Monte Carlo simulation reflects a 0% dividend yield for each stock. The use of a 0% dividend yield is mathematically equivalent to including the dividends in the calculation of TSR. The risk-free interest rate is equal to the yield, as of the valuation date, of the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill that is commensurate with the remaining performance period.
Unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the next four years. Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, for restricted stock and stock units was $79.8 million, $90.3 million and $93.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
51
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table reflects activity under all stock plans from December 31, 2022, through December 31, 2025, and the weighted average exercise prices (in thousands, except per share amounts):
The total fair value of shares vested was $30.2 million, $57.3 million and $62.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
At December 31, 2025, the total number of available shares to grant under the plans (consisting of either restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights or options to purchase common stock) was approximately 1.8 million.
Note O—Net Income Per Share
The calculation of net income per share for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, is reflected in the following table (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Year Ended December 31,
Basic:
Diluted:
Dilutive effect of potential common shares 196 367 544
Net income per share:
Potential common shares include the dilutive effect of unvested performance-based restricted stock, restricted stock which contains forfeitable rights to dividends and stock units.
52
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note P—Business Segments
The Company has three reportable segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions and Protiviti. Operating segments are defined as components of the Company for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), a position currently held by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The contract talent solutions reportable segment results from the aggregation of three operating segments with similar economic and qualitative characteristics: finance and accounting, administrative and customer support, and technology. The contract talent solutions and permanent placement talent solutions segments provide specialized engagement professionals and full-time personnel, respectively, for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. The Protiviti segment provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services.
The CODM uses segment income to evaluate performance and allocate resources to each segment. Segment income excludes interest income, income taxes and the impacts of the income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts, along with the related compensation costs and expenses. The CODM considers variances between actual results and expectations as well as historical trends for segment income when making decisions about allocating capital and personnel resources to each segment.
The accounting policies of the segments are set forth in Note A—“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
The following tables provide a reconciliation of service revenues and segment income by reportable segment to consolidated results (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
53
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
(1)Service revenues presented above are shown net of eliminations of intersegment revenues. Intersegment revenues between the contract talent solutions segment and the Protiviti segment were $485.2 million, $471.8 million and $442.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Service revenues related to the intersegment activity are reflected in the Protiviti segment.
(2)Segment costs of services consist of direct payroll, payroll taxes and benefit costs, as well as reimbursable expenses. Direct costs related to the intersegment activity are reflected in the Protiviti segment, including the costs of candidate payroll, fringe benefits and incremental recruiter compensation. For further information on costs of services, see Note A—“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
(3)Includes payroll and applicable taxes, employee incentive compensation and other employee costs not included in direct costs as noted above.
(4)Other selling, general and administrative expenses is comprised of advertising, as well as other allocated expenses including lease expense, depreciation, cloud computing service costs and overhead costs. These costs are allocated to the individual segments based on an internal allocation method.
The Company operates internationally, with operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Revenues have been attributed to geographic location based on the location of the legal entity generating revenues. The following table represents service revenues by geographic location (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Service revenues (a)
(a)No customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total service revenues in any year presented.
(b)No country represented more than 10% of revenues in any year presented.
54
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Assets by reportable segment are not presented, as the Company does not allocate assets to its reportable segments, nor is such information used by the CODM for purposes of assessing performance or allocating resources.
The following table represents long-lived assets, net, which includes property, plant and equipment, net, right-of-use assets and noncurrent deferred income taxes, by geographic location (in thousands):
December 31,
Long-lived assets, net
The following table represents depreciation expense by segment (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Depreciation expense
Note Q—Subsequent Events
On February 12, 2026, the Company announced the following:
Quarterly dividend per share $0.59
Declaration date February 12, 2026
55
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Robert Half Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2), of Robert Half Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
56
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition – Protiviti revenue relating to time-and-material and fixed-fee arrangements
As described in Note C to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded service revenue related to Protiviti of $1.95 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025. Protiviti consulting services are generally provided on a time-and-material basis, fixed-fee basis, or unit basis. Revenues earned under time-and-material and fixed-fee arrangements are recognized using a proportional performance method. Revenue is measured using cost incurred relative to the total estimated cost for the engagement to measure progress towards satisfying the Company’s performance obligations. Protiviti’s consulting services generally contain one or more performance obligation(s) which are satisfied over a period of time.
The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to Protiviti revenue relating to time-and-material and fixed fee arrangements is a critical audit matter is a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures related to the Company’s revenue recognition.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the revenue recognition process. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing the Protiviti revenue relating to time-and-material and fixed-fee arrangements recognized for a sample of revenue transactions by obtaining and inspecting the contracts, reporting related to actual costs incurred, and support related to expected costs incurred and (ii) on a sample basis, recomputing the revenue recognized based on the proportional performance method.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Francisco, California
February 13, 2026
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
57
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that occurred during the Company’s fourth quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, using criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
58
PART III
The information required by Items 10 through 14 of Part III is incorporated by reference from Item 1 of this report and from the Company’s Proxy Statement, under the captions “Directors,”“Beneficial Stock Ownership,”“Compensation Discussion and Analysis,”“Compensation Tables,”“Transactions with Related Persons,”“The Board and Committees,” “Auditor Matters,” “Insider Trading Policy,” and “Compensation,” which Proxy Statement will be mailed to stockholders in connection with the registrant’s annual meeting of stockholders, which is scheduled to be held in May 2026. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
59
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)1. Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in Item 8 of this report:
Page(s)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31, 2025 and 2024 31
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 36
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238) 56
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules I, III, IV and V have been omitted as they are not applicable.
3. Exhibits
ExhibitNo. Exhibit
*10.23 Form of Amended and Restated Severance Agreement dated October 30, 2025.
19.1 Policy on Compliance with Securities Laws.
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent.
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1 Rule 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
* Management contract or compensatory plan.
(P) This Exhibit was originally filed in paper format. Accordingly, a hyperlink has not been provided.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ROBERT HALF INC.(Registrant)
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ MICHAEL C. BUCKLEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ HAROLD M. MESSMER, JR.
Harold M. Messmer, Jr.Chairman of the Board,and a Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ M. KEITH WADDELL
M. Keith Waddell
President Chief Executive Officer and a Director(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ JANA L. BARSTEN
Jana L. Barsten, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ JULIA L. CORONADO
Julia L. Coronado, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ DIRK A. KEMPTHORNE
Dirk A. Kempthorne, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ MARC H. MORIAL
Marc H. Morial, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ ROBERT J. PACE
Robert J. Pace, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ FREDERICK A. RICHMAN
Frederick A. Richman, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ MARNIE H. WILKING
Marnie H. Wilking, Director
Date: February 13, 2026 By: /s/ MICHAEL C. BUCKLEY
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Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(in thousands)
62