ROBERT HALF INC. 10-Q

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Certain information contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in other parts of this report may be deemed forward-looking statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect the future operating results or financial positions of Robert Half Inc. (the “Company”). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees or promises that goals or targets will be met. These statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “potential,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” or variations or negatives thereof or by similar or comparable words or phrases. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking information about the Company’s environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) and compliance programs, including targets or goals, may not be considered material for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other mandatory reporting purposes and may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, on internal controls, diligence, or processes that are evolving, on representations reviewed or provided by third parties, and on assumptions that are subject to change in the future. Forward-looking statements are estimates only, based on management’s current expectations, currently available information and current strategy, plans, or forecasts, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and often beyond our control and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, outcomes, or the timing of these results or outcomes, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: changes to or new interpretations of United States of America (“U.S.”) or international tax regulations; the global financial and economic situation; changes in levels of unemployment and other economic conditions in the U.S. or foreign countries where the Company does business, or in particular regions or industries; reduction in the supply of candidates for contract employment or the Company’s ability to attract candidates; the development, proliferation and adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) by the Company and the third parties it serves; the entry of new competitors into the marketplace or expansion by existing competitors; the ability of the Company to maintain existing client relationships and attract new clients in the context of changing economic or competitive conditions; the impact of competitive pressures, including any change in the demand for the Company’s services, on the Company’s ability to maintain its margins; the possibility of the Company incurring liability for its activities, including the activities of its engagement professionals, or for events impacting its engagement professionals on clients’ premises; the possibility that adverse publicity could impact the Company’s ability to attract and retain clients and candidates; the success of the Company in attracting, training, and retaining qualified management personnel and other staff employees; the Company’s ability to comply with governmental regulations affecting personnel services businesses in particular or employer/employee relationships in general; whether there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley or other regulatory compliance services; the Company’s reliance on short-term contracts for a significant percentage of its business; litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities, including litigation that may be disclosed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings; the impact of extreme weather conditions on the Company and its candidates and clients, the ability of the Company to manage its international operations and comply with foreign laws and regulations; the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the possibility that the additional costs the Company will incur as a result of health care or other reform legislation may adversely affect the Company’s profit margins or the demand for the Company’s services; the possibility that the Company’s computer and communications hardware and software systems could be damaged or their service interrupted or the Company could experience a cybersecurity breach; and the possibility that the Company may fail to maintain adequate financial and management controls, and as a result suffer errors in its financial reporting. Additionally, with respect to Protiviti, other risks and uncertainties include the fact that future success will depend on its ability to retain employees and attract clients; there can be no assurance that there will be ongoing demand for broad based consulting, regulatory compliance, technology services, public sector or other high demand advisory services; failure to produce projected revenues could adversely affect financial results; and there is the possibility of involvement in litigation relating to prior or current transactions or activities. Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company’s business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update information in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, and notwithstanding any historical practice of doing so. Executive Overview Revenue and net income results for the first quarter were within the range of management’s expectations, notwithstanding the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty that lengthens client and job candidate decision cycles. Gross margins remained strong due to pricing discipline and the ongoing benefit from the rising mix shift to higher skill levels. During the first quarter of 2024, service revenues were $1.48 billion, a decrease of 14.0% from the prior year. Net income was $64 million and diluted net income per share was $0.61. Demand for the Company’s contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions, and Protiviti is largely dependent upon general economic and labor trends both domestically and abroad. The U.S. real gross domestic product 18 increased 1.6% during the first quarter of 2024, compared to an increase of 3.4% during the fourth quarter of 2023, while the unemployment rate increased slightly from 3.7% for December 2023 to 3.8% at the end of the first quarter of 2024. Although recent metrics are modestly off their peaks, global labor markets remain tight and the scarcity of talent persists. In the U.S., unemployment stands near a 50-year low and remains even lower for those with a college degree, where the rate is 2.1%. However, the urgency and velocity of the demand is impacted by the prolonged period of macroeconomic uncertainty, which has impacted consumer confidence. Clients are budget sensitive and very selective in their hiring activities—including approval of new projects—resulting in elongated hiring cycles and a negative impact on short-term results. The Company is confident about its ability to weather the current global macroeconomic environment and its future growth prospects as the macro landscape improves. Clients continue to hire, but are generally maintaining internal headcounts based on the anticipated difficulty in finding suitable replacements, resulting in less churn in the labor markets. The Company continues to invest in services involving higher-skilled positions across its practice groups. This has advantages of higher bill rates and gross margins, longer assignment lengths, and less economic sensitivity. The Company continues to invest in technology and innovation to fuel the Company’s core business strategy, which places the Company’s specialized talent solutions professionals at the center of clients’ hiring experience, along with digital tools that provide greater client convenience, flexibility and transparency throughout the hiring process. The Company also continues to leverage its proprietary data assets to enhance the AI tools the Company’s recruiters use to discover, assess and select talent for the Company’s clients and the AI tools the Company’s recruiters use to effectively target leads for additional revenue. The Company monitors various economic indicators and business trends in all of the countries in which it operates to anticipate demand for the Company’s services. These trends are evaluated to determine the appropriate level of investment, including personnel, which will best position the Company for success in the current and future global macroeconomic environment. The Company’s investments in headcount are typically structured to proactively support and align with expected revenue growth trends and productivity metrics. Visibility into future revenues is limited not only due to the dependence on macroeconomic and labor market conditions noted above, but also because of the relatively short duration of the Company’s client engagements. Accordingly, the Company’s headcount and other investments are typically assessed on at least a quarterly basis. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company decreased headcount for its contract talent solutions, while the full-time headcount for its permanent placement talent solutions and Protiviti segments remained flat, when compared to prior year-end levels. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates The Company’s most critical accounting policies and estimates are those that involve subjective decisions or assessments and are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies or estimates for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Recent Accounting Pronouncements See Note B—“New Accounting Pronouncements” to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I—Item 1 of this report. Results of Operations The Company analyzes its operating results for three reportable segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions, and Protiviti. The contract talent solutions and permanent placement talent solutions segments provide engagement professionals and full-time personnel, respectively, for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and executive searches. The Protiviti segment provides internal audit, risk, business, and technology consulting solutions. Demand for the Company’s services is largely dependent upon general economic and labor trends both domestically and abroad. Because of the inherent difficulty in predicting economic trends, future demand for the Company’s services cannot be forecast with certainty. The Company’s talent solutions segments conduct operations through offices in the U.S. and 17 foreign countries, while Protiviti has offices in the U.S. and 13 foreign countries. 19 Non-GAAP Financial Measures The financial results of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) and the rules of the SEC. To help readers understand the Company’s financial performance, the Company supplements its GAAP financial results with the following non-GAAP measures: adjusted gross margin; adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses; combined segment income; and as adjusted revenue growth rates. The following measures: adjusted gross margin and adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses, include gains and losses on investments held to fund the Company’s obligations under employee deferred compensation plans. The Company provides these measures because they are used by management to review its operational results. Combined segment income is income before income taxes, adjusted for interest income and amortization of intangible assets. The Company provides combined segment income because it is how management evaluates performance. As adjusted revenue growth rates represent year-over-year revenue growth rates after removing the impacts on reported revenues from the changes in the number of billing days and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company provides this data because it focuses on the Company’s revenue growth rates attributable to operating activities and aids in evaluating revenue trends over time. The impacts from the changes in billing days and foreign currency exchange rates are calculated as follows: • Billing days impact is calculated by dividing each comparative period’s reported revenues by the number of billing days for that period to arrive at a per billing day amount. Same billing day growth rates are then calculated based on the per billing day amounts. Management calculates a global, weighted-average number of billing days for each reporting period based upon inputs from all countries and all functional specializations and segments. • Foreign currency impact is calculated by retranslating current period international revenues using foreign currency exchange rates from the prior year’s comparable period. The non-GAAP financial measures provided herein may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in the Company’s industry, as other companies may calculate such financial results differently. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to amounts presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company does not consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for, or superior to, the information provided by GAAP financial results. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is provided on the following pages. Refer to Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for further discussion of the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 Service Revenues. The Company’s revenues were $1.48 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 14.0% compared to $1.72 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Revenues from U.S. operations decreased 14.9% to $1.14 billion (77.4% of total revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.34 billion (78.2% of total revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Revenues from international operations decreased 10.9% to $334 million (22.6% of total revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $375 million (21.8% of total revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail. Contract talent solutions revenues were $887 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 16.7% compared to revenues of $1.07 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Key drivers of contract talent solutions revenues include average hourly bill rates and the number of hours worked by the Company’s engagement professionals on client engagements. The decrease in contract talent solutions revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was primarily due to an 18.1% decrease in the number of hours worked by the Company’s engagement professionals, partially offset by a 2.3% increase in average bill rates. On an as adjusted basis, contract talent solutions revenues decreased 16.2% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the first quarter of 2023. In the U.S., revenues in the first quarter of 2024 decreased 19.1% on an as reported basis, and decreased 18.6% on an as adjusted basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. International revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased 8.4% on an as reported basis, and decreased 7.5% on an as adjusted basis compared to the first quarter of 2023. 20 Permanent placement talent solutions revenues were $125 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 20.4% compared to revenues of $157 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Key drivers of permanent placement talent solutions revenues consist of the number of candidate placements and average fees earned per placement. The decrease in permanent placement talent revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was due to a 26.4% decrease in the number of placements, partially offset by a 6.0% increase in average fees earned per placement. On an as adjusted basis, permanent placement talent solutions revenues decreased 19.8% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the first quarter of 2023. In the U.S., revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased 19.3% on an as reported basis, and decreased 18.7% on an as adjusted basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. International revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased 23.2% on an as reported basis and decreased 22.1% on an as adjusted basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. Historically, demand for permanent placement talent solutions is even more sensitive to economic and labor market conditions than demand for contract talent solutions and this is expected to continue. Protiviti revenues were $464 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 6.1% compared to revenues of $494 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Key drivers of Protiviti revenues are the billable hours worked by consultants on client engagements and average hourly bill rates. The decrease in Protiviti revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was due to a 9.1% decrease in billable hours, partially offset by a 3.0% increase in average hourly bill rates. On an as adjusted basis, Protiviti revenues decreased 5.4% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the first quarter of 2023. In the U.S., revenues in the first quarter of 2024 decreased 4.8% on an as reported basis, and decreased 4.2% on an as adjusted basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. International revenues for the first quarter of 2024 decreased 11.3% on an as reported basis and decreased 10.1% on an as adjusted basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP year-over-year revenue growth rates to the as reported year-over-year revenue growth rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024, is presented in the following table: Global United States International Contract talent solutions As Reported -16.7 % -19.1 % -8.4 % Billing Days Impact 0.6 % 0.5 % 1.5 % Currency Impact -0.1 % ― -0.6 % As Adjusted -16.2 % -18.6 % -7.5 % Permanent placement talent solutions As Reported -20.4 % -19.3 % -23.2 % Billing Days Impact 0.7 % 0.6 % 1.3 % Currency Impact -0.1 % ― -0.2 % As Adjusted -19.8 % -18.7 % -22.1 % Protiviti As Reported -6.1 % -4.8 % -11.3 % Billing Days Impact 0.7 % 0.6 % 1.4 % Currency Impact 0.0 % ― -0.2 % As Adjusted -5.4 % -4.2 % -10.1 % Gross Margin . The Company’s gross margin dollars were $563 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down 18.4% from $690 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail. Gross margin dollars for contract talent solutions represent revenues less costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes and benefit costs for engagement professionals, and reimbursable expenses. The key drivers of gross margin are: i) pay-bill spreads, which represent the differential between wages paid to engagement professionals and amounts billed to clients; ii) fringe costs, which are primarily composed of payroll taxes and benefit costs; and iii) conversion revenues, which are earned when a contract position converts to a permanent position with the Company’s client. Gross margin dollars for contract talent solutions were $351 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 17.2% from $424 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin dollars for contract talent solutions were 39.5% in the first quarter of 2024, down from 39.8% in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily due to lower conversion revenues. 21 Gross margin dollars for permanent placement talent solutions represent revenues less reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for permanent placement talent solutions were $124 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down 20.4% from $156 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Because reimbursable expenses for permanent placement talent solutions are de minimis, the decrease in gross margin dollars is substantially explained by the decrease in revenues previously discussed. Gross margin dollars for Protiviti represent revenues less costs of services, which consist primarily of professional staff payroll, payroll taxes, benefit costs, and reimbursable expenses. The primary drivers of Protiviti’s gross margin are: i) the relative composition of and number of professional staff and their respective pay and bill rates; and ii) staff utilization, which is the relationship of time spent on client engagements in proportion to the total time available for the Company’s Protiviti staff. Gross margin dollars for Protiviti were $88 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down 20.1% from $110 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, reported gross margin dollars for Protiviti were 18.9% in the first quarter of 2024, down from 22.2% in the first quarter of 2023. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted gross margin dollars for Protiviti were 20.7% in the first quarter of 2024, down from 23.2% in the first quarter of 2023. The year-over-year decrease in adjusted gross margin percentage was primarily due to increases in the pay rates for its professional staff, which were only partially offset by higher bill rates. The Company’s gross margin by reporting segment is summarized as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, Relationships As Reported As Adjusted As Reported As Adjusted 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 Gross Margin Contract talent solutions $ 350,570 $ 423,625 $ 350,570 $ 423,625 39.5 % 39.8 % 39.5 % 39.8 % Permanent placement talent solutions 124,548 156,395 124,548 156,395 99.8 % 99.8 % 99.8 % 99.8 % Protiviti 87,679 109,712 96,036 114,484 18.9 % 22.2 % 20.7 % 23.2 % Total $ 562,797 $ 689,732 $ 571,154 $ 694,504 38.1 % 40.2 % 38.7 % 40.5 % The following tables provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP adjusted gross margin to reported gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Contract Talent Solutions Permanent Placement Talent Solutions Protiviti Total $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue Gross Margin As Reported $ 350,570 39.5 % $ 124,548 99.8 % $ 87,679 18.9 % $ 562,797 38.1 % Adjustments (1) — — — — 8,357 1.8 % 8,357 0.6 % As Adjusted $ 350,570 39.5 % $ 124,548 99.8 % $ 96,036 20.7 % $ 571,154 38.7 % Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Contract Talent Solutions Permanent Placement Talent Solutions Protiviti Total $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue Gross Margin As Reported $ 423,625 39.8 % $ 156,395 99.8 % $ 109,712 22.2 % $ 689,732 40.2 % Adjustments (1) — — — — 4,772 1.0 % 4,772 0.3 % As Adjusted $ 423,625 39.8 % $ 156,395 99.8 % $ 114,484 23.2 % $ 694,504 40.5 % (1) Changes in the Company’s deferred compensation obligations related to Protiviti operations are included in costs of services, while the related investment income is presented separately. The non-GAAP financial adjustments shown in the table above are to reclassify investment income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts to the same line item that includes the corresponding change in obligation. These adjustments have no impact on income before income taxes. 22 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses . The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of staff compensation, advertising, variable overhead, depreciation, and occupancy costs. The Company’s reported selling, general and administrative expenses were $522 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 5.5% from $552 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, reported selling, general and administrative expenses were 35.3% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 32.2% in the first quarter of 2023. The Company’s adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses were $487 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down 8.1% from $530 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses were 33.0% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 30.9% in the first quarter of 2023. Contributing factors for each reportable segment are discussed below in further detail. Selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions, on an as reported basis, were $332 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 3.0% from $342 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, reported selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions were 37.4% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 32.1% in the first quarter of 2023. Selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions, on an adjusted basis, were $300 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down 6.5% from $321 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses for contract talent solutions were 33.9% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 30.2% in the first quarter of 2023, due primarily to negative leverage as revenues decreased as a result of economic conditions during the quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement talent solutions were $117 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 13.5% from $135 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, reported selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement talent solutions were 93.4% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 86.0% in the first quarter of 2023. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses for permanent placement was 90.3% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 84.6% in the first quarter of 2023, due primarily to negative leverage as revenues decreased as a result of economic conditions during the quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses for Protiviti were $73 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by 2.9% from $75 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses for Protiviti services were 15.8% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 15.3% in the first quarter of 2023, due primarily to negative leverage as revenues decreased as a result of economic conditions during the quarter. The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses by reportable segment are summarized as follows: (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, Relationships As Reported As Adjusted As Reported As Adjusted 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Contract talent solutions $ 331,588 $ 341,722 $ 300,452 $ 321,479 37.4 % 32.1 % 33.9 % 30.2 % Permanent placement talent solutions 116,576 134,844 112,693 132,568 93.4 % 86.0 % 90.3 % 84.6 % Protiviti 73,431 75,663 73,431 75,663 15.8 % 15.3 % 15.8 % 15.3 % Total $ 521,595 $ 552,229 $ 486,576 $ 529,710 35.3 % 32.2 % 33.0 % 30.9 % The following tables provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses to reported selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Contract Talent Solutions Permanent Placement Talent Solutions Protiviti Total $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue Selling, General and Administrative Expenses As Reported $ 331,588 37.4 % $ 116,576 93.4 % $ 73,431 15.8 % $ 521,595 35.3 % Adjustments (1) (31,136) (3.5 %) (3,883) (3.1 %) — — (35,019) (2.3 %) As Adjusted $ 300,452 33.9 % $ 112,693 90.3 % $ 73,431 15.8 % $ 486,576 33.0 % 23 Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Contract Talent Solutions Permanent Placement Talent Solutions Protiviti Total $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue $ % of Revenue Selling, General and Administrative Expenses As Reported $ 341,722 32.1 % $ 134,844 86.0 % $ 75,663 15.3 % $ 552,229 32.2 % Adjustments (1) (20,243) (1.9 %) (2,276) (1.4 %) — — (22,519) (1.3 %) As Adjusted $ 321,479 30.2 % $ 132,568 84.6 % $ 75,663 15.3 % $ 529,710 30.9 % (1) Changes in the Company’s employee deferred compensation plan obligations related to talent solutions operations are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, while the related investment income is presented separately. The non-GAAP financial adjustments shown in the table above are to reclassify investment income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts to the same line item that includes the corresponding change in obligation. These adjustments have no impact on income before income taxes. Income from Investments Held in Employee Deferred Compensation Trusts . Under the Company’s employee deferred compensation plans, employees direct the investment of their account balances, and the Company invests amounts held in the associated investment trusts consistent with these directions. As realized and unrealized investment gains and losses occur, the Company’s employee deferred compensation plan obligations change and adjustments are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, or in the case of Protiviti, costs of services. The value of the related investment trust assets also changes by the equal and offsetting amount, leaving no net costs to the Company. The Company’s income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts consists primarily of unrealized and realized gains and losses and dividend income from trust investments and is presented separately on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s income from investments held in employee deferred compensation trusts was $43 million and $27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The income from trust investments during the first quarter of 2024 was due to positive market returns. Income Before Income Taxes and Segment Income. The Company’s total income before income taxes was $91 million, or 6.1% of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down from $169 million, or 9.8% of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Combined segment income was $85 million, or 5.7% of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, down from $165 million, or 9.6% of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company’s non-GAAP combined segment income is summarized as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 % of Revenue 2023 % of Revenue Combined Segment Income Contract talent solutions $ 50,118 5.6 % $ 102,146 9.6 % Permanent placement talent solutions 11,855 9.5 % 23,827 15.2 % Protiviti 22,605 4.9 % 38,821 7.9 % Total $ 84,578 5.7 % $ 164,794 9.6 % The following table provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP combined segment income to reported income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 % of Revenue 2023 % of Revenue Income before income taxes $ 90,687 6.1 % $ 168,898 9.8 % Interest income, net (6,413) (0.4 %) (4,825) (0.2 %) Amortization of intangible assets 304 0.0 % 721 0.0 % Combined segment income $ 84,578 5.7 % $ 164,794 9.6 % Provision for income taxes . The provision for income taxes was 29.8% and 27.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher tax rate for 2024 can be attributed to the impact of nondeductible expenses and lower income tax benefit related to restricted stock vesting. 24 In 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development established an inclusive framework on base erosion and profit shifting and agreed on a two-pillar solution (“Pillar Two”) to global taxation, focusing on global profit allocation and a 15% global minimum effective tax rate. The Company considered the applicable tax law changes from Pillar Two implementation in the relevant countries, and there is no material impact to its tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2024. While the Company monitors developments and evaluates their potential impact on future periods, it does not expect Pillar Two to significantly impact its 2024 financial results. Liquidity and Capital Resources The change in the Company’s liquidity during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is primarily the net effect of funds generated by operations and the funds used for capital expenditures, investment in employee deferred compensation trusts, net of redemptions from employee deferred compensation trusts, repurchases of common stock, and payment of dividends. Cash and cash equivalents were $541 million and $548 million at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Operating activities used net cash flows of $16 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, combined with $22 million and $144 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively. Operating activities provided cash flows of $66 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, offset by $63 million and $117 million of net cash used in investing activities and financing activities, respectively. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates had the effect of decreasing reported cash and cash equivalents by $9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to an increase of $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Operating activities—Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was composed of net income of $64 million adjusted upward for non-cash items of $5 million, offset by net cash used in changes in working capital of $85 million. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was composed of net income of $122 million adjusted upward for non-cash items of $17 million, offset by net cash used in changes in working capital of $73 million. Investing activities—Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $22 million. This was composed of capital expenditures of $12 million, investments in employee deferred compensation trusts of $33 million, partially offset by proceeds from employee deferred compensation trusts redemptions of $23 million . Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $63 million. This was composed of capital expenditures of $9 million and investments in employee deferred compensation trusts of $71 million, and $1 million in payments related to an acquisition, partially offset by proceeds from employee deferred compensation trusts redemptions of $18 million. Capital expenditures, including $8 million for cloud computing arrangements, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, totaled $20 million, approximately 65% of which represented investments in software initiatives and technology infrastructure, both of which are important to the Company’s sustainability and future growth opportunities. Capital expenditures for cloud computing arrangements are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Capital expenditures included amounts spent on tenant improvements and furniture and equipment in the Company’s leased offices. The Company currently expects that 2024 capital expenditures will range from $90 million to $110 million, of which $50 million to $60 million relates to software initiatives and technology infrastructure, including capitalized costs related to implementation of cloud computing arrangements. Financing activities—Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $144 million. This included repurchases of $86 million in common stock and $58 million in dividends paid to stockholders. Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $117 million. This included repurchases of $63 million in common stock and $54 million in dividends paid to stockholders. As of March 31, 2024, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 10.0 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company repurchased 0.8 million shares, at a cost of $61 million, and 0.5 million shares, at a cost of $38 million, on the open market, respectively. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of exercise price and applicable statutory withholding taxes. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, such repurchases totaled 0.3 million shares, at a cost of $21 million, and 0.3 million shares, at a cost of $22 million, respectively. Repurchases of shares have been funded with cash generated from operations. The Company’s working capital at March 31, 2024, included $541 million in cash and cash equivalents and $861 million in net accounts receivable, both of which will be a significant source of ongoing liquidity and financial resilience. The 25 Company expects that internally generated cash will be sufficient to support the working capital needs of the Company, the Company’s fixed payments, dividends, and other obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis. There is limited visibility into future cash flows as the Company’s revenues and net income are largely dependent on macroeconomic conditions. The Company’s variable direct costs related to its contract talent solutions business will largely fluctuate in relation to its revenues. The Company has an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) of $100.0 million, which matures in May 2026. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest in accordance with the terms of the borrowing will be calculated according to the Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or an alternative base rate, plus an applicable margin. The Credit Agreement is subject to certain financial covenants and the Company was in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2024. There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2024, or December 31, 2023. On May 1, 2024, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share to be paid to all shareholders of record as of May 24, 2024. The dividend will be paid on June 14, 2024. Material Cash Requirements from Contractual Obligations Leases. As of March 31, 2024, the Company reported current and long-term operating lease liabilities of $76 million and $165 million, respectively. These balances consist of the minimum rental commitments for April 2024 and thereafter, discounted to reflect the Company’s cost of borrowing, under noncancellable lease contracts executed as of March 31, 2024. The majority of these leases are for real estate. In the event the Company vacates a location prior to the end of the lease term, the Company may be obliged to continue making lease payments. For further information, see Note G—“Leases” to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I—Item 1 of this report. Purchase Obligations. Purchase obligations are discussed in more detail in Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to the Company’s contractual purchase obligations during the first quarter of 2024. Employee Deferred Compensation Plan. As of March 31, 2024, the Company reported employee deferred compensation plan obligations of $608 million in its accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The balances are due to employees based upon elections they make at the time of deferring their funds. The timing of these payments may change based upon factors including termination of the Company’s employment arrangement with a participant. These obligations are funded through contributions to investment trusts whose assets at March 31, 2024, are substantially equal to the obligations. Assets of these plans are held by an independent trustee for the sole benefit of participating employees and consist of money market funds and mutual funds. For further information, see Note J—“Employee Deferred Compensation Plan Obligations” to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I—Item 1 of this report.