KFY
Korn Ferry
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$3.49B
5Y Perf.+124.0%
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Stock Comparison
KFY vs HSII
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$1.23B
5Y Perf.+165.4%
KFY vs HSII — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KFY | HSII |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services |
| Market Cap | $3.49B | $1.23B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.89B | $1.21B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $269M | $37M |
| Gross Margin | 26.1% | 23.3% |
| Operating Margin | 13.2% | 3.0% |
| Forward P/E | 12.7x | 16.7x |
| Total Debt | $571M | $101M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.01B | $516M |
KFY vs HSII — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KFY
HSII
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korn Ferry (KFY) | 100 | 224.0 | +124.0% |
| Heidrick & Struggle… (HSII) | 100 | 265.4 | +165.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KFY vs HSII
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KFY leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KFY
Korn Ferry
The Income Pick
KFY carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.81, yield 2.3%
- Beta 0.81, yield 2.3%, current ratio 1.83x
- Lower P/E (12.7x vs 16.7x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
The Growth Play
HSII is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 7.2%, EPS growth -84.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.4%
- 240.0% 10Y total return vs KFY's 172.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.77, Low D/E 22.3%, current ratio 1.60x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HSII | 7.2% revenue growth vs KFY's -1.2% |
| Value | KFY | Lower P/E (12.7x vs 16.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | KFY | 9.3% margin vs HSII's 3.1% |
| Stability / Safety | HSII | Beta 0.77 vs KFY's 0.81, lower leverage |
| Dividends | KFY | 2.3% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs HSII's 1.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HSII | +39.9% vs KFY's +4.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KFY | 7.1% ROA vs HSII's 2.9%, ROIC 18.5% vs 6.0% |
KFY vs HSII — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2023
KFY vs HSII — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKFYLAGGINGHSII
HSIIHeidrick & Struggles …
2leads
KFYKorn Ferry
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs HSIIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
KFY4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KFY6/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
HSII5/5
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
HSII2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
KFY2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — KFY and HSII each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KFY is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.9B annually — 2.4x HSII's $1.2B. KFY is the more profitable business, keeping 9.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HSII's 3.1%. On growth, HSII holds the edge at +14.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $1.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $479M | $57M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $269M | $37M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $288M | $132M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +26.1% | +23.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +3.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.3% | +3.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.0% | +10.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.2% | +14.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.8% | +16.9% |
Evenly matched — KFY and HSII each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
KFY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.7x trailing earnings, KFY trades at a 90% valuation discount to HSII's 143.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, KFY's 7.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HSII's 30.8x.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.5B | $1.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.1B | $812M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.73x | 143.93x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.73x | 16.72x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.76x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.16x | 30.78x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.26x | 1.10x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.91x | 2.76x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.55x | 9.88x |
KFY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KFY leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KFY delivers a 13.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $7 for HSII. HSII carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KFY's 0.31x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KFY scores 7/9 vs HSII's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.9% | +7.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.1% | +2.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +18.5% | +6.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.3% | +1.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.31x | 0.22x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$436M | -$415M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.0B | $516M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $571M | $101M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 18.94x | — |
KFY leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HSII leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HSII five years ago would be worth $14,738 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,176 for KFY. Over the past 12 months, HSII leads with a +39.9% total return vs KFY's +4.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HSII at 34.9% vs KFY's 15.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +2.9% | — |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +4.8% | +39.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +53.2% | +145.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +11.8% | +47.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +172.4% | +240.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.3% | +34.9% |
HSII leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HSII leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HSII is the less volatile stock with a 0.77 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KFY's 0.81 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HSII currently trades 99.9% from its 52-week high vs KFY's 86.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.81x | 0.77x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $78.50 | $59.05 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $58.95 | $40.10 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.3% | +99.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.3 | 77.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 502K | 0 |
HSII leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
KFY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KFY as "Buy" and HSII as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 3.3% upside for KFY (target: $70) vs -0.0% for HSII (target: $59). For income investors, KFY offers the higher dividend yield at 2.34% vs HSII's 1.03%.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $70.00 | $59.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.3% | +1.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.58 | $0.61 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.5% | +0.3% |
KFY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
KFY leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). HSII leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallKorn Ferry (KFY)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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KFY vs HSII: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KFY or HSII a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) is the stronger pick with 7. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 2% for Korn Ferry (KFY). Korn Ferry (KFY) offers the better valuation at 14. 7x trailing P/E (12. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Korn Ferry (KFY) a "Buy" — based on 11 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — KFY or HSII?
On trailing P/E, Korn Ferry (KFY) is the cheapest at 14.
7x versus Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. at 143. 9x. On forward P/E, Korn Ferry is actually cheaper at 12. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KFY or HSII?
Over the past 5 years, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) delivered a total return of +47. 4%, compared to +11. 8% for Korn Ferry (KFY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HSII returned +240. 0% versus KFY's +172. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — KFY or HSII?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 77β versus Korn Ferry's 0. 81β — meaning KFY is approximately 4% more volatile than HSII relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 31% for Korn Ferry — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KFY or HSII?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) is pulling ahead at 7. 2% versus -1. 2% for Korn Ferry (KFY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Korn Ferry grew EPS 42. 4% year-over-year, compared to -84. 4% for Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HSII leads at 3. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — KFY or HSII?
Korn Ferry (KFY) is the more profitable company, earning 8.
9% net margin versus 0. 8% for Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KFY leads at 12. 5% versus 0. 7% for HSII. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KFY leads at 26. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is KFY or HSII more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Korn Ferry (KFY) trades at 12.
7x forward P/E versus 16. 7x for Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. — 4. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KFY: 3. 3% to $70. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — KFY or HSII?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Korn Ferry (KFY) offers the highest yield at 2. 3%, versus 1. 0% for Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII).
09Is KFY or HSII better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 77), 1. 0% yield, +240. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HSII: +240. 0%, KFY: +172. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between KFY and HSII?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: KFY is a small-cap deep-value stock; HSII is a small-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(KFY: 7.2% · HSII: 14.2%)Net Margin>
%
(KFY: 9.3% · HSII: 3.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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