ROBERT HALF STOCK ROCKETS 14 % AS STAFFING FIRM POSTS FIRST PROFIT GROWTH SINCE 2022 AND SIGNALS HIRING REBOUND

What happened: Robert Half shares rose more than 14% in early trading Friday after the staffing firm reported its first year-over-year quarterly earnings increase since 2022 and forecast stronger fourth-quarter profit. Key numbers: Stock gained $5.32 to $43.00, near 52-week range of $21.83 to $46.70. Why it matters: Talent Solutions posted 2% adjusted revenue growth, its first annual growth since 2022, suggesting professional hiring may be stabilizing. Management described the recovery as gradual and expects Protiviti to return to growth in the fourth quarter.

Robert Half shares rose more than 14% in early trading Friday after the staffing firm reported its first year-over-year quarterly earnings increase since 2022 and forecast stronger fourth-quarter profit.

Talent Solutions posted 2% adjusted revenue growth, its first annual growth since 2022, suggesting professional hiring may be stabilizing. Management described the recovery as gradual and expects Protiviti to return to growth in the fourth quarter.