KFY
IndustrialsKorn Ferry · Staffing & Employment Services · $4B
What is Korn Ferry?
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1969, the company helps organizations hire, develop, and reward talent at every level — from the boardroom to the front line.
Korn Ferry generates revenue across four business segments: Executive Search, Consulting, Digital, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) & Professional Search. Executive Search places senior leaders and board members at major organizations worldwide. The Consulting arm advises on organizational strategy, leadership development, and total rewards. The Digital segment delivers tech-enabled tools that help companies define roles, assess talent, and align structures to strategy. RPO solutions allow clients to outsource parts or all of their recruiting function.
Korn Ferry was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
- Executive and board-level search services
- Organizational strategy and leadership consulting
- Digital talent assessment and workforce planning tools
- Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions
- Professional search and project-based recruiting
Is KFY a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates KFY as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with meaningful strengths and some areas to watch.
Korn Ferry's most notable pillar strengths are Risk and Valuation. The Risk profile ranks among the more resilient in the sector, suggesting the business carries a manageable financial structure. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, meaning the stock appears reasonably priced relative to its fundamentals — a notable characteristic for a services firm of this scale.
The Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting the competitive and relationship-driven nature of the talent services industry, where client retention is never guaranteed. Growth is rated Neutral, pointing to a more measured near-term expansion trajectory.
Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics behind KFY's UQS Score. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does KFY pay dividends?
Yes — Korn Ferry pays a dividend.
Korn Ferry pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among mid-cap professional services firms. This reflects management's confidence in the company's cash generation and financial stability. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend policy a meaningful complement to any capital appreciation potential. The Risk pillar's strength supports the sustainability of this payout.
When does KFY report earnings?
Korn Ferry reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Korn Ferry's results tend to reflect broader hiring and corporate spending cycles. When demand for executive talent and organizational consulting is healthy, the firm's diversified segment structure helps smooth revenue variability across its business lines.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Korn Ferry's investor relations page directly.
KFY Price History
+11.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Korn Ferry?
Based on Korn Ferry's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
KFY Long-term Outlook
Korn Ferry's Growth pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting the company is not in a high-acceleration phase but is maintaining a stable trajectory. The Strong Risk profile indicates the business is well-positioned to navigate economic softness without significant financial stress. The Attractive Valuation pillar suggests the market may not be fully pricing in a recovery in corporate hiring activity, which could benefit the firm as labor markets stabilize.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in executive hiring demand as corporate confidence improves
- Expansion of digital and tech-enabled talent solutions across enterprise clients
- RPO segment growth as companies outsource more of their recruiting functions
Key risks
- Cyclical sensitivity — executive search revenue can contract sharply in economic downturns
- Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power and high client-switching potential
- Sustained corporate cost-cutting could reduce demand for consulting and search engagements
KFY vs Peers
Korn Ferry competes in the broader talent solutions and HR services space alongside firms that range from staffing specialists to technology-driven recruiting platforms.
Robert Half focuses primarily on professional staffing and temporary placements, operating at a higher volume and lower seniority level than Korn Ferry's executive search core.
TriNet serves small and mid-sized businesses through a PEO model, bundling HR, payroll, and benefits — a structurally different model from Korn Ferry's consulting and search approach.
Kanzhun operates BOSS Zhipin, a mobile-first recruitment platform in China, competing in a different geography and through a technology marketplace model rather than human-led consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Korn Ferry do?
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm that helps companies find, develop, and retain talent. Its services span executive search, leadership consulting, digital talent tools, and recruitment process outsourcing. The firm serves public and private companies, government bodies, and non-profits across industries worldwide.
Does KFY pay dividends?
Yes, Korn Ferry pays a regular dividend. This is relatively uncommon among mid-cap professional services companies and reflects the firm's stable cash generation. Investors seeking income alongside potential capital appreciation may find this policy relevant to their evaluation.
When does KFY report earnings?
Korn Ferry reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. Specific upcoming earnings dates are not confirmed through our data source. For the most current schedule, check Korn Ferry's investor relations page or a financial calendar service.
Is KFY a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates KFY as Good overall. The Risk pillar is rated Strong and Valuation is Attractive, which are meaningful positives. However, the Moat pillar is rated Weak and Growth is Neutral, indicating some structural limitations. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is KFY overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, KFY is rated Attractive — meaning the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals. This is one of the stronger signals in Korn Ferry's overall profile, though valuation alone should not drive an investment decision.
How does KFY compare to its competitors?
Korn Ferry differentiates itself through its focus on senior executive search and organizational consulting, rather than high-volume staffing or technology marketplaces. Competitors like Robert Half operate in professional staffing, while Kanzhun runs a digital recruiting platform in China — structurally distinct business models.
What is KFY's market cap bracket?
Korn Ferry is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range typically associated with established businesses that have moved beyond early growth but may still have room to expand relative to large-cap peers in the HR and consulting sector.
Who founded Korn Ferry?
Korn Ferry was founded in 1969 by Lester Korn and Richard Ferry, who established the firm as an executive search boutique in Los Angeles. Over the decades it expanded into a full-service organizational consulting firm and rebranded from Korn/Ferry International to Korn Ferry in January 2019.
Is KFY a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, KFY's Strong Risk pillar and Good Quality rating suggest a financially stable business. The Weak Moat rating is worth monitoring, as durable competitive advantages are important for long-term compounding. Pro members can access the full analysis to assess fit for a long-term portfolio.
What is the main competitive advantage of Korn Ferry?
Korn Ferry's primary advantage lies in its global brand recognition in executive search and its proprietary talent assessment tools and data built over decades. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting the relationship-driven and competitive nature of the talent services industry.
What sector does KFY belong to?
Korn Ferry is classified in the Industrials sector, within the professional services and human capital management industry. It competes for corporate budgets alongside staffing firms, HR technology providers, and management consultancies, though its executive search focus sets it apart from generalist staffing companies.
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Pro Analysis
KFY — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 64.4 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 95.2 | -0.1 |
| May 20, 2026 | 64.5 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 95.8 | 0.0 |
| May 19, 2026 | 64.5 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 95.6 | -0.1 |
| May 15, 2026 | 64.6 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 96.4 | 0.0 |
| May 14, 2026 | 64.6 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 96.2 | +0.2 |
| May 11, 2026 | 64.4 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 94.9 | -0.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 64.5 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 95.5 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 64.4 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 95.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 64.5 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 95.6 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 64.7 | 71.4 | 34.0 | 51.0 | 90.7 | 96.8 | +0.1 |
KFY — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 71.4/100 (25%)Korn Ferry shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 51.0/100 (20%)Korn Ferry shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 90.7/100 (15%)Korn Ferry carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 94.5/100 (15%)Korn Ferry appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 34/100 (25%)Korn Ferry operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for KFY.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the KFY UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Korn Ferry is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Korn Ferry's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Korn Ferry is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.