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August 6, 2026
TROY, Mich., Aug. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), a leading specialty talent solutions provider, today announced results for the second quarter of 2026.
- Q2 revenue of $1.0 billion, with year-over-year decline improving approximately 500 basis points (“bps”) versus the prior quarter; underlying revenue decline excluding previously disclosed discrete items improved 270 bps versus the prior quarter
- Underlying revenue year-over-year performance reflects strength in the ETM and SET segments with each improved at least 300 bps versus the prior quarter, along with a 40 bps improvement for the Education segment
- Q2 operating earnings of $16.1 million; $19.3 million of operating earnings on an adjusted basis
- Q2 adjusted EBITDA of $31.1 million and adjusted EBITDA margin of 3.0%, improved 110 bps on a year-over-year basis versus the prior quarter resulting from stable year-over-year gross profit rate and continued SG&A discipline
- Company increases its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook, now expecting a low-to-mid-single digit decline, and affirms its adjusted EBITDA margin expectation of modest year-over-year growth driven by accelerating underlying revenue growth and operating efficiencies
Chris Layden, chief executive officer, said, “In the second quarter, we measurably exceeded our guidance for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA margin driven by growing momentum from our growth and efficiency initiatives as well as constructive demand trends in parts of our portfolio. We delivered sequential improvements in each of our businesses as we continued to capitalize on organic growth drivers. Notably, Kelly’s adjusted EBITDA margin returned to 3.0% in the quarter, demonstrating our ability to generate operating leverage in pursuit of growth. Our progress strengthens our conviction in our strategy and reinforces our confidence in our expectation of further measurable improvement in our year-over-year performance as we progress through the second half of the year.”
Financial Results for the thirteen-week period ended June 28, 2026:
Revenue of $1.0 billion, a 5.8% decrease compared to the corresponding quarter of 2025. Discrete impacts associated with the previously disclosed reduced demand for U.S. federal government contractors in the SET segment and from three large commercial customers in the ETM segment totaled approximately 5.2%, resulting in an underlying revenue decline of approximately 0.6%. Underlying revenue performance includes overall growth from improved demand and new business in the ETM segment, including growth in staffing and each of the talent solutions specialties. Offsetting the growth was a measurably improved year-over-year decline within the SET segment which reflects continued year-over-year growth in the Telecom specialty and reduced declines in each of the SET specialties. SET revenue grew sequentially for the first time in over two years. Additionally, the Education segment showed an improved year-over-year decline which continues to be driven by delayed prior year contract decisions and declines in student enrollment in key markets.
Operating earnings of $16.1 million, compared to earnings of $22.2 million reported in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted earnings1 were $19.3 million in the second quarter of 2026 and $24.6 million in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA1 of $31.1 million, a decrease of 15.9% versus the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 3.0%, a decrease of 40 bps but improved 110 bps versus the prior quarter, reflects 10 bps lower gross margin partially offset by volume-related and structural expense management actions including benefits from our acquisition integration and technology modernization efforts. ETM showed year-over-year stability in its adjusted EBITDA margin while Education and SET both declined. Both ETM and SET improved their adjusted EBITDA margins measurably versus the prior quarter.
Income tax expense of $3.0 million, compared to income tax expense of $0.9 million reported in the second quarter of 2025. On an adjusted basis1, income tax expense of $3.8 million, compared to income tax expense of $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Earnings per share was $0.31 compared to earnings per share of $0.52 in the second quarter of 2025. On an adjusted basis1, earnings per share was $0.37 in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $0.54 per share in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Financial Results for the 26-week period ended June 28, 2026:
Revenue of $2.1 billion, an 8.3% decrease compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Discrete impacts associated with the reduced demand for U.S. federal government contractors in the SET segment and from three large commercial customers in the ETM segment totaled approximately 6.3%, resulting in an underlying revenue decline of approximately 2.0%. Underlying revenue performance includes overall growth from improved demand in the ETM segment, including growth in each of the talent solutions specialties, along with growth in the Telecom specialty and improved performance in the Science and Engineering specialties within the SET segment. Offsetting this growth was continued lower demand in the other specialties within the SET segment, largely the Technology specialty, along with a decline in the Education segment driven by delayed prior year contract decisions and declines in student enrollment in key markets.
Operating earnings of $11.0 million, compared to earnings of $33.0 million reported over the same period in 2025. Adjusted earnings1 were $23.4 million in the first six months of 2026 and $46.7 million in the corresponding period of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA1 of $46.9 million, a decrease of 34.8% versus the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 2.3%, a decrease of 90 bps, reflects near-term margin pressure in ETM, Education, and SET driven by lower gross margins and timing of revenue trends, partially offset by volume-related and structural expense management actions including benefits from our acquisition integration and technology modernization efforts.
Income tax expense of $2.2 million, compared to income tax expense of $2.7 million reported over the same period in 2025. On an adjusted basis1, income tax expense of $5.3 million, compared to income tax expense of $7.2 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
Earnings per share was $0.15, compared to earnings per share of $0.67 in the same period of 2025. On an adjusted basis1, earnings per share were $0.40 for the first six months of 2026 compared to $0.93 per share in the corresponding period of 2025.
1 Adjusted measures represent non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most closely related GAAP measure included in this document.
Financial Outlook For Fiscal 2026:
The Company’s 2026 financial outlook has improved for revenue and remains unchanged for Adjusted EBITDA margin relative to the initial view previously disclosed, assumes no material change in the macroeconomic environment in the coming quarters, and is as follows:
- Third Quarter of 2026 – Expect year-over-year improvement relative to second quarter, with overall underlying revenue growth of 1% to 2%, and total revenue to be flat to a decline of 2% versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the low 2% range, representing 40 to 50 bps of year-over-year improvement relative to the prior year.
- Outlook includes the seasonality impact of the Education business due to schools being out of session for the majority of the quarter which results in sequential revenue and profitability declines versus the second quarter.
- Fourth Quarter of 2026 – Expect substantial improvement in year-over-year performance versus third quarter for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA margin resulting in mid-to-upper single digits revenue growth and approximately 200 bps of year-over-year adjusted EBITDA margin expansion resulting in adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 4%.
- Outlook includes the impact of an extra fiscal week in the fourth quarter, which benefits revenue growth by approximately 4 points in the quarter, but negatively impacts adjusted EBITDA.
- Full Year 2026 – On a full year basis, expect low-to-mid single digit total revenue decline and a 10 to 20 bps year-over-year improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin.
Quarterly Cash Dividend:
Kelly also reported that on August 4, 2026, its board of directors declared a dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend is payable on September 2, 2026 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 19, 2026.
In conjunction with its earnings release, Kelly has published a financial presentation and will host a live webcast of a conference call at 9 a.m. ET on August 6 to review the financial and operation results from the quarter. The presentation and a link to the live webcast will be accessible through the Company’s public website on the Investor Relations page under Events & Presentations. The webcast will be recorded, and a replay will be available within one hour of completion of the event through the same link as the live webcast.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains statements that are forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Kelly’s financial expectations, are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in this release include, but are not limited to, (i) changing market and economic conditions, (ii) disruption in the labor market and weakened demand for human capital resulting from technological advances, competitive pressures and pricing, loss of large corporate customers and government contractor requirements, (iii) the impact of laws and regulations (including federal, state and international tax laws), (iv) unexpected changes in claim trends on workers’ compensation, unemployment, disability and medical benefit plans, (v) litigation and other legal liabilities (including tax liabilities) in excess of our estimates, (vi) our ability to achieve our business’s anticipated growth strategies, (vii) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition, (viii) damage to our brands, (ix) dependence on third parties for the execution of critical functions, (x) conducting business in foreign countries, including foreign currency fluctuations, (xi) availability of temporary workers with appropriate skills required by customers, (xii) cyberattacks or other breaches of network or information technology security, and (xiii) other risks, uncertainties and factors discussed in this release and in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
About Kelly®
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work. Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we have become experts in the many industries and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect approximately 375,000 people with work every year. Our suite of outsourcing and consulting services and solutions ensures companies have the people they need, when and where they are needed most. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, we empower businesses and individuals to access limitless opportunities in industries such as science, engineering, technology, education, manufacturing, retail, finance, and energy. Revenue in 2025 was $4.3 billion. Learn more at kellyservices.com.
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ANALYST & MEDIA CONTACT:
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