KFY
Korn Ferry
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$3.45B
5Y Perf.+121.7%
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Stock Comparison
KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
RHI
Robert Half International Inc.
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$2.77B
5Y Perf.-46.0%
MAN
ManpowerGroup Inc.
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$1.41B
5Y Perf.-56.0%
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$1.23B
5Y Perf.+165.4%
KELYA
Kelly Services, Inc.
Staffing & Employment Services
Market Cap$349M
5Y Perf.-35.3%
KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KFY | RHI | MAN | HSII | KELYA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services |
| Market Cap | $3.45B | $2.77B | $1.41B | $1.23B | $349M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.89B | $5.38B | $17.96B | $1.21B | $3.09B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $269M | $133M | $-13M | $37M | $-266M |
| Gross Margin | 26.1% | 36.8% | 16.7% | 23.3% | 26.3% |
| Operating Margin | 13.2% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 3.0% | -2.8% |
| Forward P/E | 12.6x | 20.8x | 8.3x | 16.7x | 11.0x |
| Total Debt | $571M | $421M | $2.39B | $101M | $159M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.01B | $464M | $871M | $516M | $33M |
KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KFY
RHI
MAN
HSII
KELYA
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korn Ferry (KFY) | 100 | 221.7 | +121.7% |
| Robert Half Interna… (RHI) | 100 | 54.0 | -46.0% |
| ManpowerGroup Inc. (MAN) | 100 | 44.0 | -56.0% |
| Heidrick & Struggle… (HSII) | 100 | 265.4 | +165.4% |
| Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) | 100 | 64.7 | -35.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: HSII leads in 3 of 7 categories (5-stock set), making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. Korn Ferry is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and operational efficiency and capital deployment. RHI and MAN also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KFY
Korn Ferry
The Defensive Pick
KFY is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if defensive is your priority.
- Beta 0.85, yield 2.4%, current ratio 1.83x
- 9.3% margin vs KELYA's -8.6%
- 7.1% ROA vs KELYA's -11.3%, ROIC 18.5% vs -4.0%
Best for: defensive
RHI
Robert Half International Inc.
The Income Pick
RHI ranks third and is worth considering specifically for income & stability.
- Dividend streak 22 yrs, beta 0.99, yield 8.7%
- 8.7% yield, 22-year raise streak, vs KELYA's 3.2%
Best for: income & stability
MAN
ManpowerGroup Inc.
The Value Play
MAN is the clearest fit if your priority is value.
- Lower P/E (8.3x vs 16.7x)
Best for: value
HSII
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
The Growth Play
HSII carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for 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 169.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.76, Low D/E 22.3%, current ratio 1.60x
- 7.2% revenue growth vs RHI's -7.2%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
KELYA
Kelly Services, Inc.
The Income Angle
Among these 5 stocks, KELYA doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: industrials exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HSII | 7.2% revenue growth vs RHI's -7.2% |
| Value | MAN | Lower P/E (8.3x vs 16.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | KFY | 9.3% margin vs KELYA's -8.6% |
| Stability / Safety | HSII | Beta 0.76 vs MAN's 1.03, lower leverage |
| Dividends | RHI | 8.7% yield, 22-year raise streak, vs KELYA's 3.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HSII | +46.2% vs RHI's -31.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KFY | 7.1% ROA vs KELYA's -11.3%, ROIC 18.5% vs -4.0% |
KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2023
FY 2025
KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLHSIILAGGINGKELYA
Who Leads Where
HSII leads in 2 of 6 categories
MAN leads 1 • KFY leads 1 • RHI leads 1 • KELYA leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓KELYAKelly Services, Inc.
0leads
MANManpowerGroup Inc.
1leads
RHIRobert Half Internati…
1leads
KFYKorn Ferry
1leads
HSIIHeidrick & Struggles …
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs KFYvs RHIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MAN3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KFY7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
HSII5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
HSII2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
RHI2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — KFY and HSII each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MAN is the larger business by revenue, generating $18.0B annually — 14.8x HSII's $1.2B. KFY is the more profitable business, keeping 9.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KELYA's -8.6%. On growth, HSII holds the edge at +14.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | RHIRobert Half Inter… | MANManpowerGroup Inc. | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $5.4B | $18.0B | $1.2B | $3.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $479M | $150M | $236M | $57M | -$54M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $269M | $133M | -$13M | $37M | -$266M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $288M | $267M | -$161M | $132M | $66M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +26.1% | +36.8% | +16.7% | +23.3% | +26.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +1.4% | +0.8% | +3.0% | -2.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.3% | +2.5% | -0.1% | +3.1% | -8.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.0% | +5.0% | -0.9% | +10.9% | +2.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.2% | -5.8% | +7.1% | +14.2% | -100.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.8% | -39.6% | +36.2% | +16.9% | -2.1% |
Evenly matched — KFY and HSII each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MAN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.6x trailing earnings, KFY trades at a 90% valuation discount to HSII's 143.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, KFY's 7.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HSII's 30.8x.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | RHIRobert Half Inter… | MANManpowerGroup Inc. | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.5B | $2.8B | $1.4B | $1.2B | $349M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.0B | $2.7B | $2.9B | $812M | $475M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.58x | 20.60x | -104.90x | 143.93x | -1.34x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.60x | 20.76x | 8.28x | 16.72x | 10.96x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.75x | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.07x | 21.57x | 9.02x | 30.78x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.25x | 0.52x | 0.08x | 1.10x | 0.08x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.89x | 2.15x | 0.69x | 2.76x | 0.35x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.44x | 10.39x | — | 9.88x | 3.06x |
MAN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KFY leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KFY delivers a 13.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $-25 for KELYA. KELYA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MAN's 1.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KFY scores 7/9 vs MAN's 1/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | RHIRobert Half Inter… | MANManpowerGroup Inc. | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.9% | +10.3% | -0.6% | +7.3% | -24.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.1% | +4.7% | -0.1% | +2.9% | -11.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +18.5% | +4.6% | +5.6% | +6.0% | -4.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.3% | +5.0% | +6.2% | +1.1% | -4.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.31x | 0.33x | 1.16x | 0.22x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$436M | -$43M | $1.5B | -$415M | $126M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.0B | $464M | $871M | $516M | $33M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $571M | $421M | $2.4B | $101M | $159M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 18.94x | — | 1.98x | — | -12.07x |
KFY leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HSII leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HSII five years ago would be worth $14,577 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,514 for MAN. Over the past 12 months, HSII leads with a +46.2% total return vs RHI's -31.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HSII at 34.9% vs RHI's -20.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | RHIRobert Half Inter… | MANManpowerGroup Inc. | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.9% | +2.4% | +1.2% | — | +13.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.3% | -31.4% | -17.0% | +46.2% | -12.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +51.8% | -49.5% | -46.4% | +145.7% | -34.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +8.1% | -58.8% | -64.9% | +45.8% | -58.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +169.9% | +10.2% | -30.8% | +240.0% | -33.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +14.9% | -20.4% | -18.8% | +34.9% | -13.0% |
HSII leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HSII leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HSII is the less volatile stock with a 0.76 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MAN's 1.03 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 RHI's 56.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | RHIRobert Half Inter… | MANManpowerGroup Inc. | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.85x | 0.99x | 1.03x | 0.76x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $78.50 | $48.54 | $47.34 | $59.05 | $14.94 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $58.95 | $21.84 | $25.15 | $39.84 | $7.98 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.5% | +56.4% | +64.3% | +99.9% | +64.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.2 | 49.4 | 47.1 | 77.9 | 63.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 508K | 2.9M | 1.1M | 0 | 361K |
HSII leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
RHI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: KFY as "Buy", RHI as "Hold", MAN as "Hold", HSII as "Hold", KELYA as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 54.6% upside for KELYA (target: $15) vs -0.0% for HSII (target: $59). For income investors, RHI offers the higher dividend yield at 8.67% vs HSII's 1.03%.
| Metric | KFYKorn Ferry | RHIRobert Half Inter… | MANManpowerGroup Inc. | HSIIHeidrick & Strugg… | KELYAKelly Services, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Hold | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $70.00 | $40.67 | $37.86 | $59.00 | $15.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 25 | 29 | 5 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.4% | +8.7% | +4.7% | +1.0% | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.58 | $2.37 | $1.43 | $0.61 | $0.31 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.6% | +3.3% | +2.7% | +0.3% | +3.5% |
RHI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
HSII leads in 2 of 6 categories (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). MAN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallHeidrick & Struggles Intern… (HSII)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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KFY vs RHI vs MAN vs HSII vs KELYA: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KFY or RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA 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 -7. 2% for Robert Half International Inc. (RHI). Korn Ferry (KFY) offers the better valuation at 14. 6x trailing P/E (12. 6x 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 RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA?
On trailing P/E, Korn Ferry (KFY) is the cheapest at 14.
6x versus Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. at 143. 9x. On forward P/E, ManpowerGroup Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KFY or RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA?
Over the past 5 years, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) delivered a total return of +45. 8%, compared to -64. 9% for ManpowerGroup Inc. (MAN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HSII returned +240. 0% versus KELYA's -33. 0%. 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 RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 76β versus ManpowerGroup Inc. 's 1. 03β — meaning MAN is approximately 35% more volatile than HSII relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 116% for ManpowerGroup Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KFY or RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
(HSII) is pulling ahead at 7. 2% versus -7. 2% for Robert Half International Inc. (RHI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Korn Ferry grew EPS 42. 4% year-over-year, compared to -427. 4% for Kelly Services, 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 RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA?
Korn Ferry (KFY) is the more profitable company, earning 8.
9% net margin versus -6. 0% for Kelly Services, 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 -1. 6% for KELYA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RHI leads at 37. 2%, 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 RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, ManpowerGroup Inc.
(MAN) trades at 8. 3x forward P/E versus 20. 8x for Robert Half International Inc. — 12. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KELYA: 54. 6% to $15. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — KFY or RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) offers the highest yield at 8. 7%, versus 1. 0% for Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII).
09Is KFY or RHI or MAN or HSII or KELYA 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. 76), 1. 0% yield, +240. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HSII: +240. 0%, MAN: -30. 8%), 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 RHI and MAN and HSII and KELYA?
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; RHI is a small-cap income-oriented stock; MAN is a small-cap income-oriented stock; HSII is a small-cap quality compounder stock; KELYA is a small-cap income-oriented 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% · RHI: -5.8%)Net Margin>
%
(KFY: 9.3% · RHI: 2.5%)P/E Ratio<
x
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