RC
RESOURCES CONNECTION, INC. (RGP)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 FY25 revenue of $129.4M declined 14.5% YoY; gross margin was 35.1% as holiday timing hurt utilization, while pricing and mix improved bill rates; a non-cash goodwill impairment ($42.0M) drove GAAP diluted EPS to $(1.34), with adjusted diluted EPS of $(0.08) .
- Versus S&P Global consensus, revenue was essentially in line ($129.4M vs $130.0M*) and adjusted EPS beat (−$0.08 vs −$0.22*), reflecting cost discipline and stronger enterprise bill rates despite volume headwinds (fewer business days, project delays) *.
- Management guided Q4 FY25 revenue to $132–$137M, gross margin to 36–37%, and SG&A run-rate to $45–$47M; early Q4 weekly revenue decelerated amid U.S. policy/tariff uncertainty and a 14-week quarter (69 business days) .
- Portfolio catalysts: (1) non-cash goodwill impairment ($42.0M) and continued U.S. macro/policy uncertainty delaying decisions ; (2) dividend reset to $0.07/Share (from $0.14) to preserve ~$9M+ annual cash for growth/repurchases ; (3) pipeline quality improving—larger deals, higher win ratios, rising bill rates—positioning RGP for operating leverage on recovery .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Enterprise pricing power and mix improved: consolidated average bill rate rose to $123 ($124 constant currency) vs $119 YoY; Consulting bill rate +12.8% YoY (13.5% cc); stronger pay/bill ratio supported margins despite holidays .
- Pipeline quality and deal size improved: doubled the number of $1M+ engagements won YoY; $5M+ opportunities increasing; Europe showed KPIs improvement and return of $1B+ pursuits .
- Cost actions took hold: run-rate SG&A improved YoY; management lowered run-rate SG&A 8% since Q1 and continues to optimize real estate and discretionary spend .
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What Went Wrong
- Volume-driven pressure: revenue down 14.5% YoY; billable hours down 17.0%; On-Demand revenue −26.6% YoY on lower talent churn; Consulting hours −18.8% YoY (partially offset by pricing) .
- Holidays and utilization: mid-week Christmas/New Year’s and Thanksgiving in Q3 reduced utilization and gross margin to 35.1% (vs 37.0% LY) despite improved pay/bill .
- Non-cash impairments: $42.0M goodwill impairment (On-Demand $12.4M; Consulting $29.6M) reflecting slow recovery; Q&A highlighted ongoing U.S. uncertainty (tariffs, policy) causing delays, not cancellations .
Financial Results
Revenue, margins, EPS and EBITDA vs prior periods and consensus
Estimates marked with * are values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment revenue and YoY change (Q3 FY25 vs Q3 FY24)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Notes: Management flagged lighter early Q4 weekly revenue run-rate and decision delays in North America; Europe/Asia and Outsourced expected stable .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We delivered results in line or better than our outlook… notable progress driving stronger pricing, larger average deal size and better win ratios” — Kate W. Duchene, CEO .
- “Enterprise-wide average bill rate [rose]… led by our Consulting segment with a 13% increase over the prior year quarter” — Jennifer Ryu, CFO .
- “Doubled the number of $1 million-plus engagements… pipeline of opportunities at the $5 million-plus level has grown significantly” — Kate W. Duchene .
- “Our balance sheet remains strong with $73 million of cash and cash equivalents and 0 outstanding debt” — Jennifer Ryu .
Q&A Highlights
- Demand timing vs cancellations: Delays, not cancellations, particularly in the U.S.; Europe benefited from added projects and more extensions .
- Guidance mechanics: Q4 is a 14-week quarter (69 business days); variability driven by North America On-Demand and Consulting pace of deal closings and starts .
- Macro/policy drag: Tariffs/policy headlines increased uncertainty late Q3; clients postponing expensive decisions, extending time-to-close .
- Cost levers: Continued focus on fixed cost reduction, real estate optimization, and tech-enabled efficiencies while preserving long-term investments .
- Dividend sustainability/FCF: Board sets dividend; intent to balance sustainable dividend with growth and repurchases; as environment normalizes, targeting high-single-digit EBITDA margins at ~$600–$700M revenue and 75–85% FCF conversion from EBITDA historically .
Estimates Context
- Q3 FY25 revenue: $129.4M vs S&P Global consensus $130.0M* (essentially in line). Q3 adjusted diluted EPS: $(0.08) vs consensus $(0.22)* (beat). There was one EPS estimate and two revenue estimates for Q3* *.
- Consensus dynamics: Gross margin and SG&A were better than RGP’s outlook ranges, aiding EPS vs consensus; however, non-cash goodwill impairment drove GAAP EPS to $(1.34) .
- Forward look: Q4 revenue guide $132–$137M with GM 36–37% and SG&A $45–$47M points to continued near-term caution; estimate revisions may drift to low end until U.S. decision cycles normalize .
Estimates marked with * are values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Pricing power and mix are improving (Consulting bill rates +13% YoY; pay/bill ratio up), but volume (hours) and U.S. decision delays remain the swing factors near term .
- Q4 guide implies stabilization but not an inflection; expect continued scrutiny on North America On-Demand and the pace of large-deal conversions .
- The dividend was prudently reset to $0.07/Share to preserve ~$9M+ annual cash for growth and opportunistic buybacks; repurchases were $3M in Q3 at ~$8.46/share .
- Non-cash goodwill impairments reset the bar; with $72.5M cash and no debt, the balance sheet supports continued investment and shareholder returns through cycles .
- Watch for Europe/Asia momentum and extensions as leading indicators; management cited strengthening KPIs and larger pursuits in those regions .
- Medium term, if revenue recovers toward $600–$700M, management targets a return to high-single-digit EBITDA margins with 75–85% FCF conversion historically .
- Trading setup: Near-term sentiment likely sensitive to weekly revenue cadence and U.S. macro/policy clarity; upside optionality from large-deal closures and continued pricing/mix gains .