Quarterly Earnings Review: Korn Ferry and ACCO Brands

This earnings season, Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) and ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) have released their financial results, showcasing varied performances and strategic directions. Korn Ferry, a global consulting firm, reported robust third-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with a 7% increase in fee revenue year-over-year, reaching $717.4 million. The growth was fueled by all solutions, particularly Executive Search, which saw a 13% rise.

Meanwhile, ACCO Brands, known for its branded consumer products, reported fourth-quarter net sales of $428.8 million, a 4.3% decline from the previous year. The company attributed this to softer global demand for core products, despite growth in gaming accessories.

Korn Ferry’s net income rose 12% year-over-year, with a margin of 9.1%, while ACCO Brands’ net income increased to $21.3 million from $20.6 million in the previous year. Both companies highlighted strategic initiatives aimed at future growth.

Korn Ferry emphasized its evolution in response to global changes, while ACCO Brands focused on its strategic pivot towards technology peripherals, highlighted by its recent acquisition of EPOS, a premium audio solutions company. These earnings reports reflect the companies’ efforts to adapt and thrive in their respective markets.

Korn Ferry and ACCO Brands: Quarterly Performance Highlights

Korn Ferry’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 results showed a strong performance with fee revenue of $717.4 million, marking a 7% increase year-over-year. The growth was driven by all solutions, particularly Executive Search, which saw a 13% rise.

The company’s net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased by 12% year-over-year, with a margin of 9.1%. Adjusted EBITDA also rose by 8%, maintaining a margin of 17.2%. These results reflect Korn Ferry’s ability to capitalize on the evolving global landscape, characterized by shifts in demographics and technological advancements.

In contrast, ACCO Brands reported a 4.3% decline in fourth-quarter net sales, amounting to $428.8 million. The decrease was primarily due to softer global demand for core products, partially offset by growth in gaming accessories. Despite the decline in sales, ACCO Brands managed to increase its net income to $21.3 million, up from $20.6 million in the previous year.

The company’s operating income was $40.0 million, slightly down from $42.0 million in 2024. Adjusted operating income reflected the impact of lower sales volume and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by cost savings and lower incentive compensation expenses.

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Outlook and Strategic Direction for 2026

Looking ahead, Korn Ferry provided optimistic guidance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. The company expects fee revenue to range between $730 million and $750 million, with diluted earnings per share anticipated to be between $1.34 and $1.40. Korn Ferry’s strategic focus on synchronizing expertise, globality, and solutions positions it well to navigate the dynamic market environment.

The company’s commitment to talent development and its partnership with the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games underscore its dedication to driving performance and growth.

ACCO Brands, on the other hand, provided a cautious outlook for 2026. The company expects reported sales to be flat to up 3.0% for the full year, with adjusted EPS ranging from $0.84 to $0.89. ACCO Brands anticipates free cash flow to be between $75 million and $85 million, with a consolidated leverage ratio between 3.7x and 3.9x.

The recent acquisition of EPOS is a strategic move to strengthen ACCO Brands’ presence in the technology peripherals market, aligning with its goal to reposition towards higher growth categories.

In summary, Korn Ferry and ACCO Brands are navigating their respective challenges and opportunities with strategic initiatives aimed at sustaining growth and enhancing shareholder value. Korn Ferry’s robust performance and optimistic guidance reflect its adaptability and strategic positioning, while ACCO Brands’ focus on technology peripherals and operational excellence highlights its commitment to future growth.

Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article. All stock prices were quoted at the time of writing.