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ManpowerGroup Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 16 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue up 8% as reported: Revenues were $4.9 billion, up 8% as reported and 6% in constant currency. The U.S. dollar against foreign currencies also affected results versus the prior year period. Source
  • Adjusted EPS $0.99, up 27%: Excluding the listed items, diluted EPS was $0.99, an increase of 27% in constant currency. Source
  • Other Americas revenue up 29%: Other Americas revenue was $498.0 million, up 29.0% as reported and 23.8% in constant currency. Source
  • United States profit rose sharply: United States revenue rose 6.0% to $714.3 million. Operating unit profit rose to $52.8 million from $19.7 million, up 169.1%. Source
  • Demand reported in several regions: Management reported demand in the United States, Latin America, APME and select European countries including Italy, Spain, Poland and Norway. Source
  • Gross profit and SG&A lifted profit: Management said gross profit growth combined with SG&A reductions raised profitability year over year. Source
  • Long-term debt reduced sharply: Repayments of long-term debt were $585.8 million in the six months. Long-term debt was $567.3 million at June 30, against $1,052.1 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Jefferson Wells sale completed: The Jefferson Wells U.S. business was sold for $100 million, with net cash proceeds of $88 million reported. Source

“Results reflect good execution across our brands and markets, continued cost discipline and improving demand.”

Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chair & CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Diluted EPS Sourcethird quarter of 2026between $0.96 and $1.06New
Currency impact on EPS Sourcethird quarter of 20262 cents unfavorableNew
Effective tax rate Sourcethird quarter of 202644%New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Third-quarter diluted EPS guidance was given; the prior release had given second-quarter guidance of $0.91 to $1.01. Source
  • New: Jefferson Wells U.S. business sold for $100 million, with net cash proceeds of $88 million. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue up 8% as reported: Revenues were $4.9 billion, up 8% as reported and 6% in constant currency. The U.S. dollar against foreign currencies also affected results versus the prior year period. Source
  • Net earnings returned to profit: Net earnings were $53.5 million, compared with a net loss of $67.1 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.13, against a loss of $1.44. Source
  • Adjusted EPS $0.99, up 27%: Excluding the listed items, diluted EPS was $0.99, an increase of 27% in constant currency. Source
  • Six-month revenue up 8.8%: Six-month revenues were $9.37 billion, up 8.8% as reported and 4.4% in constant currency. Six-month net earnings were $56.0 million, against a loss of $61.5 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • Other Americas revenue up 29%: Other Americas revenue was $498.0 million, up 29.0% as reported and 23.8% in constant currency. Source
  • United States profit rose sharply: United States revenue rose 6.0% to $714.3 million. Operating unit profit rose to $52.8 million from $19.7 million, up 169.1%. Source
  • France flat in constant currency: France revenue rose 2.5% as reported and was flat in constant currency. France operating unit profit fell 12.0% to $28.4 million. Source
  • Northern Europe returned to profit: Northern Europe revenue rose 3.9% to $825.5 million. Its operating unit profit was $2.0 million, against a loss of $9.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • APME revenue down as reported: APME revenue fell 1.2% as reported to $518.7 million but rose 5.0% in constant currency. Operating unit profit was $23.9 million, down 9.0%. Source

“We are leveraging our scale and diversified platform and focusing commercial efforts on verticals”

Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chair & CEO

Brands and demand trends

  • Manpower brand revenue grew: Management said the Manpower brand grew revenue in the quarter. Source
  • Experis trends improved on United States: Experis revenue trends improved from previous quarters, driven by the United States. Source
  • Talent Solutions improved sequentially: Talent Solutions revenue trends improved sequentially, driven by RPO, with ongoing MSP growth. Source
  • Demand reported in several regions: Management reported demand in the United States, Latin America, APME and select European countries including Italy, Spain, Poland and Norway. Source

Costs, margins and profit items

  • SG&A fell after prior-year charges: Selling and administrative expenses were $668.3 million, against $789.0 million a year earlier, which included $88.7 million of impairment charges. Source
  • Gross profit up 2.2%: Gross profit was $780.3 million, up 2.2% as reported and 0.7% in constant currency. Source
  • Gross profit and SG&A lifted profit: Management said gross profit growth combined with SG&A reductions raised profitability year over year. Source
  • Operating profit $112.0 million: Operating profit was $112.0 million, against a $25.3 million loss a year earlier, when $88.7 million of impairment charges were recorded. Source
  • Items added $0.14 to EPS: Sale, transformation and restructuring costs, and a liquidation charge, together raised diluted EPS by $0.14 in the quarter. Source
  • Income tax provision up 54%: Income tax provision was $38.9 million, up from $25.3 million a year earlier, an increase of 54.2%. Source

Cash, debt and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash outflow narrowed: Cash used in operating activities was $129.0 million for the six months, against $342.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Long-term debt reduced sharply: Repayments of long-term debt were $585.8 million in the six months. Long-term debt was $567.3 million at June 30, against $1,052.1 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Cash balance fell: Cash and cash equivalents were $180.6 million at June 30, 2026, against $871.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Dividends paid steady: Dividends paid were $33.5 million in the six months, against $33.3 million a year earlier. Share repurchases and excise tax were $0.3 million, against $38.2 million. Source
  • Capital expenditures lower: Capital expenditures were $14.8 million in the six months, against $31.3 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy, AI and transformation

  • AI capabilities expanded: Management said it expanded AI capabilities that improve productivity and unlock higher-value solutions through strategic partnerships. Source
  • Jefferson Wells sale completed: The Jefferson Wells U.S. business was sold for $100 million, with net cash proceeds of $88 million reported. Source
  • Transformation aimed at 2026 inflection: Management said it still views 2026 as an important inflection point as it executes its transformation strategy. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Franchise office revenues, three months ended June 30, 2026 Source$471.4 million

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said currency movements against the U.S. dollar affected results versus the prior year period. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it advanced its global strategic transformation program through the quarter; no status against a target was stated. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.