Korn Ferry Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year FY'26 Results of Operations
LOS ANGELES--( BUSINESS WIRE)--Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY), a global consulting firm, today announced fourth quarter and annual fee revenue of $759.8 million and $2.9 billion, respectively. In addition, fourth quarter diluted earnings per share was $1.39 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.40, while full year diluted earnings per share was $5.22 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $5.28.
“I am very pleased with our quarterly performance. This marks our fifth consecutive quarter of top-line growth, underscoring the strength of our strategy and the increasing relevance of our solutions – all amid an uneven economic environment,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO, Korn Ferry. “In addition to increased momentum across our broader offerings, I am particularly encouraged by double-digit growth in Professional Search & Interim, reflecting the depth and breadth of our solutions.
“As we conclude another fiscal year, I have never been more excited about the potential for Korn Ferry, the impact we have on clients and our We Are Korn Ferry mindset that is furthering collaboration across our firm. I am incredibly proud of our colleagues around the world. Their expertise and passion are the catalyst as we unlock potential in people and unleash transformation across organizations.”
Selected Financial Results
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts) (a)
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Fee revenue
$
759.8
$
712.0
$
2,907.5
$
2,730.1
Total revenue
$
768.3
$
719.8
$
2,938.6
$
2,761.1
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (b)
$
1,883.0
$
1,709.6
$
1,883.0
$
1,709.6
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry
$
73.1
$
64.2
$
277.4
$
246.1
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry margin
9.6
%
9.0
%
9.5
%
9.0
%
Basic earnings per share
$
1.42
$
1.23
$
5.33
$
4.69
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.39
$
1.21
$
5.22
$
4.60
Adjusted Results (c):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Adjusted EBITDA
$
129.5
$
121.1
$
497.8
$
463.9
Adjusted EBITDA margin
17.0
%
17.0
%
17.1
%
17.0
%
Adjusted net income attributable to Korn Ferry (d)
$
73.5
$
70.1
$
280.9
$
261.2
Adjusted basic earnings per share (d)
$
1.43
$
1.34
$
5.40
$
4.98
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (d)
$
1.40
$
1.32
$
5.28
$
4.88
(a)
Numbers may not total due to rounding.
(b)
Estimated fee revenue associated with signed contracts for which revenue has not yet been recognized.
(c)
Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude integration/acquisition costs, impairment of fixed assets, impairment of right-of-use assets, gain on modification of an office lease, restructuring charges, net and management separation charges when applicable. Adjusted results on a consolidated basis are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for the following, as applicable (see attached reconciliations):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Management separation charges are contractual
obligations due upon executive's death
$
—
$
4.6
$
—
$
4.6
Integration/acquisition costs
$
—
$
1.7
$
4.4
$
8.8
Restructuring charges, net
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1.9
Impairment of fixed assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
0.5
Impairment of right-of-use assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2.5
Gain on modification of office lease
$
—
$
—
$
(13.9
)
$
—
(d)
Adjusted net income attributable to Korn Ferry, Adjusted basic earnings per share and Adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for items in (c) and the following, as applicable (see attached reconciliations):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Accelerated depreciation on Digital platform
$
—
$
—
$
13.8
$
—
Tax effect on the adjusted items
$
0.4
$
(0.5
)
$
(0.9
)
$
(3.2
)
Fiscal 2026 Fourth Quarter Results
The Company reported fee revenue in Q4 FY'26 of $759.8 million, an increase of 7% year-over-year (up 5.0% at constant currency), led by Professional Search & Interim up 14%, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up 7% and RPO up 5%.
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry was $73.1 million with a margin of 9.6% in Q4 FY'26, compared to Q4 FY'25 net income attributable to Korn Ferry of $64.2 million with a margin of 9.0%, an increase of 60bps. Adjusted EBITDA was $129.5 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $121.1 million in Q4 FY'25. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.0% in both Q4 FY'26 and Q4 FY'25. Increases in net income attributable to Korn Ferry and margin, as well as Adjusted EBITDA, were primarily due to an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expenses and costs of services.
Fiscal 2026 Full Year Results
The Company reported fee revenue in FY'26 of $2,907.5 million, an increase of 7% year-over-year (up 5% at constant currency), led by Professional Search & Interim up 11%, Executive Search up 9%, and Consulting and RPO, both up approximately 4%.
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry was $277.4 million with a margin of 9.5% in FY'26, compared to net income attributable to Korn Ferry of $246.1 million with a margin of 9.0% in FY'25, an increase of 50bps. Adjusted EBITDA was $497.8 million in FY'26 compared to $463.9 million in FY'25. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.1% in FY'26, essentially flat compared to the year-ago period. Increases in net income attributable to Korn Ferry and margin, as well as Adjusted EBITDA, were primarily due to an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expenses and cost of services.
Results by Solution
Selected Consulting Data
(dollars in millions) (a)
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Fee revenue
$
181.9
$
169.4
$
691.7
$
662.7
Total revenue
$
185.3
$
172.5
$
704.1
$
674.1
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (b)
$
390.1
$
367.7
$
390.1
$
367.7
Ending number of consultants and execution staff (c)
1,522
1,599
1,522
1,599
Hours worked in thousands (d)
366
373
1,426
1,510
Average bill rate (e)
$
442
$
413
$
458
$
439
Adjusted Results (f):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Adjusted EBITDA
$
30.9
$
29.1
$
118.4
$
115.5
Adjusted EBITDA margin
17.0
%
17.2
%
17.1
%
17.4
%
(a)
Numbers may not total due to rounding.
(b)
Estimated fee revenue associated with signed contracts for which revenue has not yet been recognized.
(c)
Represents number of employees originating, delivering and executing consulting services.
(d)
The number of hours worked by consultant and execution staff during the period.
(e)
The amount of fee revenue divided by the number of hours worked by consultants and execution staff.
(f)
Adjusted results exclude the following:
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Management separation charges (g)
$
—
$
4.6
$
—
$
4.6
Restructuring charges, net
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1.7
Gain on modification of office lease
$
—
$
—
$
(4.1
)
$
—
(g)
Contractual obligations due upon executive's death.
Fee revenue was $181.9 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $169.4 million in Q4 FY'25, an increase of $12.5 million or 7% (up 5% on a constant currency basis). The year-over-year increase in Consulting fee revenue was primarily driven by higher fee revenue in leadership development, assessment & succession and organizational strategy offerings.
Adjusted EBITDA was $30.9 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $29.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.0% in Q4 FY'26, essentially flat compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily from higher fee revenue, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expenses.
Selected Digital Data
(dollars in millions) (a)
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Fee revenue
$
89.3
$
91.6
$
363.5
$
363.5
Total revenue
$
89.7
$
91.6
$
364.4
$
363.7
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (b)
$
416.9
$
392.6
$
416.9
$
392.6
Ending number of consultants
233
244
233
244
Subscription & License fee revenue
$
38.0
$
34.5
$
148.6
$
137.7
Adjusted Results (c):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Adjusted EBITDA
$
27.7
$
28.5
$
113.1
$
112.7
Adjusted EBITDA margin
31.0
%
31.1
%
31.1
%
31.0
%
(a)
Numbers may not total due to rounding.
(b)
Estimated fee revenue associated with signed contracts for which revenue has not yet been recognized.
(c)
Adjusted results exclude the following:
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Impairment of fixed assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
0.4
Gain on modification of office lease
$
—
$
—
$
(2.0
)
$
—
Fee revenue was $89.3 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $91.6 million in Q4 FY'25, a decrease of $2.3 million or 3% (down 6% on a constant currency basis).
Adjusted EBITDA was $27.7 million in Q4 FY'26, compared to $28.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 31.0%, relatively unchanged from the year-ago quarter.
Selected Executive Search Data (a)
(dollars in millions) (b)
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Fee revenue
$
242.0
$
227.0
$
924.1
$
846.2
Total revenue
$
244.1
$
229.1
$
932.1
$
854.1
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (c)
$
73.2
$
69.6
$
73.2
$
69.6
Ending number of consultants
566
560
566
560
Average number of consultants
565
560
563
551
Engagements billed
3,794
3,827
9,511
9,151
New engagements (d)
1,712
1,738
6,514
6,325
Adjusted Results (e):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Adjusted EBITDA
$
64.0
$
54.2
$
237.4
$
206.2
Adjusted EBITDA margin
26.4
%
23.9
%
25.7
%
24.4
%
(a)
Executive Search is the sum of the individual Executive Search Reporting Segments described in our annual and quarterly reporting on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and is presented on a consolidated basis as it is consistent with the Company’s discussion of its Solutions, and financial metrics used by the Company’s investor base.
(b)
Numbers may not total due to rounding.
(c)
Estimated fee revenue associated with signed contracts for which revenue has not yet been recognized.
(d)
Represents new engagements opened in the respective period.
(e)
Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for the following:
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Impairment of right-of-use assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2.5
Impairment of fixed assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
0.2
Gain on modification of office lease
$
—
$
—
$
(3.7
)
$
—
Restructuring charges, net
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
0.2
Fee revenue was $242.0 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $227.0 million in Q4 FY'25, an increase of $15.0 million or 7% (up 5% at constant currency). The year-over-year increase in fee revenue was driven by an increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement, resulting from more search work at higher levels. The Company experienced fee revenue growth in all regions.
Adjusted EBITDA was $64.0 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $54.2 million in the year-ago quarter, an increase of $9.8 million or 18% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 26.4%, compared to 23.9% in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily due to an increase in fee revenue combined with lower general and administrative expenses, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expenses.
Selected Professional Search & Interim Data
(dollars in millions) (a)
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Fee revenue
$
149.1
$
130.7
$
561.1
$
503.5
Total revenue
$
150.4
$
131.7
$
566.3
$
507.2
Permanent Placement:
Fee revenue
$
59.8
$
50.9
$
222.4
$
203.8
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (b)
$
16.5
$
14.1
$
16.5
$
14.1
Engagements billed
1,784
1,829
4,835
4,830
New engagements (c)
1,034
1,009
3,902
3,811
Ending number of consultants
290
309
290
309
Interim:
Fee revenue
$
89.3
$
79.8
$
338.7
$
299.7
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (b)
$
144.1
$
107.6
$
144.1
$
107.6
Average bill rate (d)
$
151
$
131
$
145
$
133
Average weekly billable consultants (e)
1,234
1,301
1,237
1,168
Adjusted Results (f):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Adjusted EBITDA
$
33.9
$
27.4
$
121.2
$
107.6
Adjusted EBITDA margin
22.7
%
21.0
%
21.6
%
21.4
%
(a)
Numbers may not total due to rounding.
(b)
Estimated fee revenue associated with signed contracts for which revenue has not yet been recognized.
(c)
Represents new engagements opened in the respective period.
(d)
Fee revenue from interim divided by the number of hours worked by consultants.
(e)
The number of billable consultants based on a weekly average in the respective period.
(f)
Adjusted results exclude the following:
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Integration/acquisition costs
$
—
$
1.6
$
4.4
$
6.0
Gain on modification of office lease
$
—
$
—
$
(2.6
)
$
—
Fee revenue was $149.1 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $130.7 million in Q4 FY'25, an increase of $18.4 million or 14% (up 12% at constant currency). Fee revenue increased due to higher fee revenues in both Permanent Placement and Interim. The year-over-year increase in Interim fee revenue was primarily due to a 15% increase in average bill rate. The year-over-year increase in Permanent Placement fee revenue was driven by an increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement.
Adjusted EBITDA was $33.9 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $27.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 22.7% in Q4 FY'26 compared to 21.0% in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin was due to an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expenses and cost of services.
Selected Recruitment Process Outsourcing ("RPO") Data
(dollars in millions) (a)
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Fee revenue
$
97.6
$
93.3
$
367.1
$
354.1
Total revenue
$
98.7
$
94.8
$
371.8
$
362.0
Estimated remaining fees under existing contracts (b)
$
842.2
$
758.0
$
842.2
$
758.0
RPO new business (c)
$
137.2
$
118.8
$
543.9
$
533.4
Adjusted Results (d):
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Adjusted EBITDA
$
15.5
$
14.5
$
57.7
$
52.6
Adjusted EBITDA margin
15.8
%
15.5
%
15.7
%
14.9
%
(a)
Numbers may not total due to rounding.
(b)
Estimated fee revenue associated with signed contracts for which revenue has not yet been recognized.
(c)
Estimated total value of a contract at the point of execution of the contract.
(d)
Adjusted results exclude the following:
Fourth Quarter
Year to Date
FY’26
FY’25
FY’26
FY’25
Gain on modification of office lease
$
—
$
—
$
(1.5
)
$
—
Fee revenue was $97.6 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $93.3 million in Q4 FY'25, an increase of $4.3 million or 5% (up 3% at constant currency). RPO fee revenue increased primarily due to new logo client wins in North America.
Adjusted EBITDA was $15.5 million in Q4 FY'26 compared to $14.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.8% in Q4 FY'26, compared to 15.5% in Q4 FY'25.
Outlook
Assuming no material negative impact from the recent Middle East conflict and that other worldwide geopolitical conditions, economic conditions, financial markets and foreign exchange rates remain steady, on a consolidated basis:
Earnings Conference Call Webcast
The earnings conference call will be held today at 12:00 PM (EDT) and hosted by CEO Gary Burnison, CFO Robert Rozek, SVP Business Development & Analytics Gregg Kvochak and VP Investor Relations Tiffany Louder. The conference call will be webcast and available online at ir.kornferry.com. We will also post to the investor relations section of our website earnings slides, which will accompany our webcast, and other important information, and encourage you to review the information that we make available on our website.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us—for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release and our conference call that relate to our outlook, projections, goals, strategies, future plans and expectations, including statements relating to expected labor market conditions, expected demand for and relevance of our products and services, expected results of our business diversification strategy, impact of global events on our business, and other statements of future events or conditions are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “goals”, “estimates”, “guidance”, “may”, “should”, “could”, “will” or “likely”, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Such statements are based on current expectations; actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the control of Korn Ferry. The potential risks and uncertainties include those relating to global and local political and or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, such as inflation, trade wars, interest rates, labor market conditions, global slowdowns, or recessions, competition, geopolitical tensions, including the recent Middle East conflict, shifts in global trade patterns, changes in demand for our services as a result of automation, dependence on and costs of attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, impact of inflationary pressures on our profitability, our ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retaining key employees, maintaining our brand name and professional reputation, potential legal liability and regulatory developments, portability of client relationships, consolidation of or within the industries we serve, changes and developments in government laws and regulations, evolving investor and customer expectations with regard to corporate responsibility matters, currency fluctuations in our international operations, risks related to growth, alignment of our cost structure, including as a result of recent workforce, real estate, and other restructuring initiatives, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, reliance on information processing systems, cyber security vulnerabilities or events, changes to data security, data privacy, and data protection laws, dependence on third parties for the execution of critical functions, limited protection of our intellectual property, our ability to enhance, develop and respond to new technology, including artificial intelligence, our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problems, employment liability risk, an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, treaties, or regulations on our business and our Company, deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use, our ability to develop new products and services, changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions, the utilization and billing rates of our consultants, seasonality, the use of social media platforms, the ability to effect acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses, resulting organizational changes, our indebtedness, and those relating to the ultimate magnitude and duration of any pandemic or outbreaks. For a detailed description of risks and uncertainties that could cause differences from our expectations, please refer to Korn Ferry’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Korn Ferry disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains financial information calculated other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). In particular, it includes:
This non-GAAP disclosure has limitations as an analytical tool, should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.
Management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures in this press release provides meaningful supplemental information regarding Korn Ferry’s performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operating results. These non-GAAP financial measures are performance measures and are not indicative of the liquidity of Korn Ferry. These items, which are described in the footnotes in the attached reconciliations, represent 1) costs associated with previous acquisitions, such as legal and professional fees, retention awards and on-going integration expenses, 2) gain on modification of an office lease where the Company received lease incentives to shorten the lease term, 3) restructuring charges, net to align workforce to eliminate excess capacity resulting from challenging macroeconomic business environment, 4) accelerated depreciation associated with the decision to sunset our Digital platform, 5) impairment of fixed assets primarily due to software impairment charge in our Digital segment, 6) impairment of right-of-use assets due to the decision to terminate and sublease some of our offices and 7) management separation charges due to contractual obligations due upon executive's death. The use of non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparisons to Korn Ferry’s historical performance. Korn Ferry includes non-GAAP financial measures because management believes they are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making. Adjusted net income attributable to Korn Ferry, adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share and Consolidated and Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA, exclude certain charges that management does not consider on-going in nature and allows management and investors to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s operating results. Management further believes that Consolidated and Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by investors and other interested parties to measure operating performance among companies with different capital structures, effective tax rates and tax attributes and capitalized asset values, all of which can vary substantially from company to company. In the case of constant currency percentages, management believes the presentation of such information provides useful supplemental information regarding Korn Ferry's performance as excluding the impact of exchange rate changes on Korn Ferry's financial performance allows investors to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s operating results, to better identify operating trends that may otherwise be masked or distorted by exchange rate changes and to perform related trend analysis, and provides a higher degree of transparency of information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry's ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making.
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
April 30,
Year Ended
April 30,
2026
2025
2026
2025
(unaudited)
Fee revenue
$
759,772
$
712,048
$
2,907,469
$
2,730,088
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses
8,484
7,779
31,172
30,998
Total revenue
768,256
719,827
2,938,641
2,761,086
Compensation and benefits
486,737
443,503
1,867,005
1,758,024
General and administrative expenses
67,659
68,623
247,727
258,488
Reimbursed expenses
8,484
7,779
31,172
30,998
Cost of services
82,262
74,827
319,150
285,075
Depreciation and amortization
21,591
20,531
98,844
80,287
Restructuring charges, net
—
—
—
1,892
Total operating expenses
666,733
615,263
2,563,898
2,414,764
Operating income
101,523
104,564
374,743
346,322
Other income (loss), net
6,410
(10,306
)
33,705
18,953
Interest expense, net
(5,056
)
(5,331
)
(19,998
)
(20,363
)
Income before provision for income taxes
102,877
88,927
388,450
344,912
Income tax provision
29,052
23,789
107,630
93,836
Net income
73,825
65,138
280,820
251,076
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(691
)
(894
)
(3,386
)
(5,014
)
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry
$
73,134
$
64,244
$
277,434
$
246,062
Earnings per common share attributable to Korn Ferry:
Basic
$
1.42
$
1.23
$
5.33
$
4.69
Diluted
$
1.39
$
1.21
$
5.22
$
4.60
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic
50,932
51,599
51,428
51,778
Diluted
51,922
52,504
52,519
52,806
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL SUMMARY BY REPORTING SEGMENT
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended April 30,
Year Ended April 30,
2026
2025
% Change
2026
2025
% Change
Fee revenue:
Consulting
$
181,920
$
169,363
7.4
%
$
691,654
$
662,708
4.4
%
Digital
89,282
91,634
(2.6
%)
363,523
363,530
—
%
Executive Search:
North America
156,095
143,014
9.1
%
583,394
535,921
8.9
%
EMEA
54,135
53,479
1.2
%
215,134
194,088
10.8
%
Asia Pacific
24,622
23,630
4.2
%
97,527
87,337
11.7
%
Latin America
7,099
6,880
3.2
%
28,049
28,862
(2.8
%)
Total Executive Search (a)
241,951
227,003
6.6
%
924,104
846,208
9.2
%
Professional Search & Interim
149,060
130,710
14.0
%
561,077
503,515
11.4
%
RPO
97,559
93,338
4.5
%
367,111
354,127
3.7
%
Total fee revenue
759,772
712,048
6.7
%
2,907,469
2,730,088
6.5
%
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses
8,484
7,779
9.1
%
31,172
30,998
0.6
%
Total revenue
$
768,256
$
719,827
6.7
%
$
2,938,641
$
2,761,086
6.4
%
(a)
Total Executive Search is the sum of the individual Executive Search Reporting Segments and is presented on a consolidated basis as it is consistent with the Company’s discussion of its Solutions, and financial metrics used by the Company’s investor base.
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
April 30,
2026
April 30,
2025
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,095,445
$
1,006,964
Marketable securities
38,914
36,388
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $42,527 and $40,461 at April 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively
573,350
565,255
Income taxes and other receivables
75,410
38,394
Unearned compensation
64,421
61,649
Prepaid expenses and other assets
58,437
41,488
Total current assets
1,905,977
1,750,138
Marketable securities, non-current
247,132
233,626
Property and equipment, net
191,531
173,610
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
170,986
152,712
Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies, net of loans
289,058
252,621
Deferred income taxes
113,207
144,560
Goodwill
950,636
948,832
Intangible assets, net
45,858
70,193
Unearned compensation, non-current
118,592
106,965
Investments and other assets
31,799
27,967
Total assets
$
4,064,776
$
3,861,224
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable
$
49,682
$
58,884
Income taxes payable
19,573
23,079
Compensation and benefits payable
570,242
530,473
Operating lease liability, current
28,111
38,573
Other accrued liabilities
314,402
304,589
Total current liabilities
982,010
955,598
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans
510,774
477,770
Operating lease liability, non-current
164,899
131,762
Long-term debt
398,565
397,736
Deferred tax liabilities
5,723
5,981
Other liabilities
23,902
20,238
Total liabilities
2,085,873
1,989,085
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 79,203 and 78,264 shares issued and 50,225 and 51,458 shares outstanding at April 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively
284,370
364,425
Retained earnings
1,761,063
1,588,274
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(72,827
)
(86,243
)
Total Korn Ferry stockholders' equity
1,972,606
1,866,456
Noncontrolling interest
6,297
5,683
Total stockholders' equity
1,978,903
1,872,139
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
4,064,776
$
3,861,224
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
April 30,
Year Ended
April 30,
2026
2025
2026
2025
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry
$
73,134
$
64,244
$
277,434
$
246,062
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
691
894
3,386
5,014
Net income
73,825
65,138
280,820
251,076
Income tax provision
29,052
23,789
107,630
93,836
Income before provision for income taxes
102,877
88,927
388,450
344,912
Interest expense, net
5,056
5,331
19,998
20,363
Depreciation and amortization (1)
21,591
20,531
98,844
80,287
Management separation charges (2)
—
4,614
—
4,614
Integration/acquisition costs (3)
—
1,738
4,420
8,837
Gain on modification of office lease (4)
—
—
(13,907
)
—
Impairment of right-of-use assets (5)
—
—
—
2,452
Impairment of fixed assets (6)
—
—
—
509
Restructuring charges, net (7)
—
—
—
1,892
Adjusted EBITDA
$
129,524
$
121,141
$
497,805
$
463,866
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry margin
9.6
%
9.0
%
9.5
%
9.0
%
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
0.1
%
0.1
%
0.1
%
0.2
%
Income tax provision
3.8
%
3.3
%
3.7
%
3.4
%
Interest expense, net
0.7
%
0.8
%
0.7
%
0.8
%
Depreciation and amortization (1)
2.8
%
2.9
%
3.4
%
2.9
%
Management separation charges (2)
—
%
0.7
%
—
%
0.2
%
Integration/acquisition costs (3)
—
%
0.2
%
0.2
%
0.3
%
Gain on modification of office lease (4)
—
%
—
%
(0.5
%)
—
%
Impairment of right-of-use assets (5)
—
%
—
%
—
%
0.1
%
Impairment of fixed assets (6)
—
%
—
%
—
%
0.0
%
Restructuring charges, net (7)
—
%
—
%
—
%
0.1
%
Adjusted EBITDA margin
17.0
%
17.0
%
17.1
%
17.0
%
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry
$
73,134
$
64,244
$
277,434
$
246,062
Accelerated depreciation on Digital platform (1)
—
—
13,846
—
Management separation charges (2)
—
4,614
—
4,614
Integration/acquisition costs (3)
—
1,738
4,420
8,837
Gain on modification of office lease (4)
—
—
(13,907
)
—
Impairment of right-of-use assets (5)
—
—
—
2,452
Impairment of fixed assets (6)
—
—
—
509
Restructuring charges, net (7)
—
—
—
1,892
Tax effect on the adjusted items (8)
380
(487
)
(863
)
(3,187
)
Adjusted net income attributable to Korn Ferry
$
73,514
$
70,109
$
280,930
$
261,179
Explanation of Non-GAAP Adjustments
(1)
Depreciation and amortization includes $13.8 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the decision to sunset our Digital platform in the year ended April 30, 2026.
(2)
Contractual obligations due upon executive's death.
(3)
Costs associated with previous acquisitions, such as legal and professional fees, retention awards and the on-going integration expenses.
(4)
Gain on the modification of an office lease where the Company received lease incentives to shorten the lease term.
(5)
Costs associated with impairment of right-of-use assets due to terminating and deciding to sublease some of our offices.
(6)
Costs associated with impairment of fixed assets primarily due to software impairment charge in our Digital segment.
(7)
Restructuring charges incurred to align our workforce to eliminate excess capacity resulting from challenging macroeconomic business environment.
(8)
Tax effect on accelerated depreciation on Digital platform, management separation charges, integration/acquisition costs, gain on modification of office lease, impairment of right-of-use assets and fixed assets, and restructuring charges, net.
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES - CONTINUED
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
April 30,
Year Ended
April 30,
2026
2025
2026
2025
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.42
$
1.23
$
5.33
$
4.69
Accelerated depreciation on Digital platform (1)
—
—
0.27
—
Management separation charges (2)
—
0.09
—
0.09
Integration/acquisition costs (3)
—
0.03
0.09
0.17
Gain on modification of office lease (4)
—
—
(0.27
)
—
Impairment of right-of-use assets (5)
—
—
—
0.05
Impairment of fixed assets (6)
—
—
—
0.01
Restructuring charges, net (7)
—
—
—
0.03
Tax effect on the adjusted items (8)
0.01
(0.01
)
(0.02
)
(0.06
)
Adjusted basic earnings per share
$
1.43
$
1.34
$
5.40
$
4.98
Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.39
$
1.21
$
5.22
$
4.60
Accelerated depreciation on Digital platform (1)
—
—
0.26
—
Management separation charges (2)
—
0.09
—
0.09
Integration/acquisition costs (3)
—
0.03
0.08
0.16
Gain on modification of office lease (4)
—
—
(0.26
)
—
Impairment of right-of-use assets (5)
—
—
—
0.05
Impairment of fixed assets (6)
—
—
—
0.01
Restructuring charges, net (7)
—
—
—
0.03
Tax effect on the adjusted items (8)
0.01
(0.01
)
(0.02
)
(0.06
)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$
1.40
$
1.32
$
5.28
$
4.88
Explanation of Non-GAAP Adjustments
(1)
Depreciation and amortization includes $13.8 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the decision to sunset our Digital platform in the year ended April 30, 2026.
(2)
Contractual obligations due upon executive's death.
(3)
Costs associated with previous acquisitions, such as legal and professional fees, retention awards and the on-going integration expenses.
(4)
Gain on the modification of an office lease where the Company received lease incentives to shorten the lease term.
(5)
Costs associated with impairment of right-of-use assets due to terminating and deciding to sublease some of our offices.
(6)
Costs associated with impairment of fixed assets primarily due to software impairment charge in our Digital segment.
(7)
Restructuring charges incurred to align our workforce to eliminate excess capacity resulting from challenging macroeconomic business environment.
(8)
Tax effect on accelerated depreciation on Digital platform, management separation charges, integration/acquisition costs, gain on modification of office lease, impairment of right-of-use assets and fixed assets, and restructuring charges, net.
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES - CONTINUED
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended April 30,
2026
2025
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry margin
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry margin
Consolidated
$
73,134
9.6
%
$
64,244
9.0
%
Fee revenue
Total revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA margin
Fee revenue
Total revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA margin
Consulting
$
181,920
$
185,298
$
30,923
17.0
%
$
169,363
$
172,537
$
29,055
17.2
%
Digital
89,282
89,702
27,691
31.0
%
91,634
91,642
28,477
31.1
%
Executive Search:
North America
156,095
157,748
48,371
31.0
%
143,014
144,673
39,062
27.3
%
EMEA
54,135
54,440
9,199
17.0
%
53,479
53,773
9,092
17.0
%
Asia Pacific
24,622
24,817
5,290
21.5
%
23,630
23,802
4,965
21.0
%
Latin America
7,099
7,108
1,106
15.6
%
6,880
6,884
1,103
16.0
%
Total Executive Search
241,951
244,113
63,966
26.4
%
227,003
229,132
54,222
23.9
%
Professional Search & Interim
149,060
150,419
33,863
22.7
%
130,710
131,674
27,426
21.0
%
RPO
97,559
98,724
15,455
15.8
%
93,338
94,842
14,499
15.5
%
Corporate
—
—
(42,374
)
—
—
(32,538
)
Consolidated
$
759,772
$
768,256
$
129,524
17.0
%
$
712,048
$
719,827
$
121,141
17.0
%
Year Ended April 30,
2026
2025
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry margin
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry
Net income attributable to
Korn Ferry margin
Consolidated
$
277,434
9.5
%
$
246,062
9.0
%
Fee revenue
Total revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA margin
Fee revenue
Total revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA margin
Consulting
$
691,654
$
704,129
$
118,413
17.1
%
$
662,708
$
674,070
$
115,481
17.4
%
Digital
363,523
364,383
113,129
31.1
%
363,530
363,727
112,696
31.0
%
Executive Search:
North America
583,394
589,313
173,703
29.8
%
535,921
542,068
148,242
27.7
%
EMEA
215,134
216,517
36,572
17.0
%
194,088
195,268
31,689
16.3
%
Asia Pacific
97,527
98,138
21,475
22.0
%
87,337
87,840
18,119
20.7
%
Latin America
28,049
28,092
5,603
20.0
%
28,862
28,876
8,149
28.2
%
Total Executive Search
924,104
932,060
237,353
25.7
%
846,208
854,052
206,199
24.4
%
Professional Search & Interim
561,077
566,253
121,156
21.6
%
503,515
507,246
107,600
21.4
%
RPO
367,111
371,816
57,658
15.7
%
354,127
361,991
52,635
14.9
%
Corporate
—
—
(149,904
)
—
—
(130,745
)
Consolidated
$
2,907,469
$
2,938,641
$
497,805
17.1
%
$
2,730,088
$
2,761,086
$
463,866
17.0
%