HireQuest, Inc. (HQI)

In the past six months, HireQuest, Inc. reported a net income of $2.3 million for Q3 2025, but total revenue decreased by 9.8% year-over-year. HireQuest published an outlook projecting a year of reset, reallocation, and stabilization in the 2026 U.S. labor market. HireQuest announced a new ownership structure for its MRINetwork global executive search brand, transitioning majority ownership to a newly formed leadership group. HireQuest announced a $20 million share repurchase program. The Chairman, Richard Hermanns, bought US$176k worth of stock on December 23, 2025, and US$100k worth of stock on December 29, 2025. HireQuest declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share. HireQuest's stock received 2 upgrades and 2 downgrades from analysts, with a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy'.

Demand for HireQuest's products and services exhibits seasonality, with the third quarter typically being the strongest sales period for HireQuest Direct and, to a lesser extent, Snelling. This suggests that demand for unskilled and semi-skilled industrial and construction personnel, as well as some longer-term staffing, tends to be higher during this period.

HireQuest, Inc. is a nationwide franchisor specializing in staffing solutions across the United States, operating within the Industrials sector, specifically in the Staffing & Employment Services industry. The company provides a range of staffing services, including direct-dispatch, executive search, commercial staffing, and the placement of various personnel. HireQuest operates under several trade names, including HireQuest Direct, HireQuest, Snelling, DriverQuest, HireQuest Health, Northbound Executive Search, and MRINetwork.

HireQuest, Inc. primarily operates its staffing solutions across the United States through a national network of over 400 franchisee-owned offices. The company also has a presence in the UK through HireQuest International, which connects UK-based permanent recruitment businesses with the US market.

HireQuest's brand reputation is supported by its resilient franchise model, which has consistently enabled profitability even in soft markets. The strategic shift in the MRINetwork ownership structure is intended to capture meaningful growth in an executive search market. The company's 2026 labor market outlook also positions it as an informed voice in the staffing industry. However, the decline in total revenue and franchise royalty fees, along with several MRI network franchisees electing not to renew agreements, could be seen as challenges to its brand strength in certain areas.

Major individual and institutional owners of HireQuest, Inc. include Richard Hermanns, Edward Jackson, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co., BlackRock Advisors LLC, and Bandera Partners LLC. Richard Hermanns holds 38.1% of equities, while Edward Jackson holds 18.71%. Other institutional investors include The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., State Street Global Advisors, Inc., U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc., and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.