KELYA, US4881522084

Kelly Services stock fell 4.32 percent on October 2 after Q2 results

Published on 10/05/2026 at 12:57 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Kelly Services stock was last at USD 15.72 on October 2, down 4.32 percent, while Q2 adjusted EPS reached USD 0.37. Revenue fell 5.8 percent to USD 1.04 billion, but Q3 guidance calls for 1-2 percent underlying growth.

KELYA, US4881522084, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Kelly Services (ISIN US4881522084) was last at USD 15.72 on Nasdaq on October 2, down 4.32 percent from the prior close. The workforce solutions provider's second-quarter results showed a weaker top line but an improved operating trajectory, with management pointing to better underlying trends for the second half of 2026.

Revenue decline narrows in Q2

According to Yahoo Finance on August 6, 2026, second-quarter revenue was USD 1.04 billion, down 5.8 percent from the prior-year quarter. The result was better than Kelly's guidance for a 7-9 percent decline.

Reported diluted EPS was USD 0.31 in Q2 2026, while adjusted EPS was USD 0.37 versus USD 0.54 in Q2 2025. Adjusted EBITDA reached USD 31.1 million, producing a 3 percent margin that exceeded the company's guidance of at least 2.5 percent, according to Yahoo Finance.

Q3 guidance points to recovery

Kelly expects underlying revenue growth of 1-2 percent in Q3 2026, while total revenue is projected to be flat to down 2 percent year over year. Management also expects adjusted EBITDA margin in the low 2 percent range, followed by mid- to upper-single-digit revenue growth in Q4 2026, according to Yahoo Finance.

The operating mix is also changing. Talent Solutions grew for the second consecutive quarter, while Kelly's SET business delivered sequential revenue growth for the first time in two years. In Education, a 100 percent renewal rate in the quarter and new customer wins are intended to support a return to year-over-year growth in the second half.

Analysts keep a Hold view

According to MarketBeat on September 26, 2026, three analysts covered Kelly Services with one Buy, one Hold and one Sell rating. The consensus was Hold with an average price target of USD 20.00, which lies 27.2 percent above the October 2 price of USD 15.72. Barrington Research raised its target from USD 15.00 to USD 20.00 and assigned an Outperform rating on August 10, 2026.

Stock remains below yearly high

Kelly Services stock was last at USD 15.72 on Nasdaq on October 2, 2026. Its 52-week range was USD 7.98 to USD 17.75, and market capitalization stood at USD 545.0 million.