Robert Half Stock Surges 22% on Q3 Earnings Beat and Profit Turnaround

Shares of Robert Half Inc. (NYSE: RHI) surged 21.74% on Friday to close at $45.87 after the global talent solutions provider released strong third-quarter 2026 financial results. The report signaled a significant turnaround, marking the company's first year-over-year increase in earnings per share since 2022.

Third-Quarter Highlights

Robert Half reported third-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $0.49, exceeding the consensus analyst estimate of $0.47. According to the company's financial release, this figure represents a 14% increase from the same period last year.

The positive earnings were supported by a recovery in the company's core business. The contract staffing segment, Talent Solutions, returned to positive year-over-year revenue growth of 2%. The company also noted a strong compliance project pipeline for its Protiviti consulting division, driven by recent regulatory actions in the financial industry. Additionally, Robert Half highlighted the impact of enterprise efficiency measures that have resulted in $45 million in annualized cost savings.

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Market Reaction and Outlook

The nearly 22% single-day stock gain adds to an already strong performance for the company. Prior to Friday's rally, the stock had gained approximately 44% year-to-date and 54% over the past six months, according to the source report.

Following the earnings release, analyst sentiment appeared to strengthen. The report noted that BMO Capital upgraded Robert Half's stock to an "Outperform" rating and set a price target of $47. The combination of a return to revenue growth, improved profitability through cost discipline, and a positive analyst outlook suggests a potential inflection point for the company after a multi-year downcycle in the staffing sector.