Randstad reports profit growth: Randstad stock sits 4.34 percent below its high

Published on 10/27/2026 at 11:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Revenue rose 3.9 percent and underlying EBITA reached EUR 211 million. Randstad stock costs EUR 40.35 on October 27, 2026, 4.34 percent below EUR 42.18.

Quarterly recovery and valuation

Third-quarter revenue reached EUR 6.12 billion on October 21, 2026.
Underlying EBITA margin improved to 3.50 percent in the third quarter of 2026.
Randstad stock trades at EUR 40.35 at 11:14 a.m. CET at Lang & Schwarz on October 27, 2026.
Kepler Cheuvreux cut its rating to Reduce and set a EUR 37.00 target on October 26, 2026.

Randstad, NL0000379121, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Randstad (NL0000379121) reported third-quarter revenue of EUR 6.12 billion and underlying EBITA of EUR 211 million, while Randstad stock sits 4.34 percent below its 52-week high. The results released on October 21, 2026, showed organic revenue growth of 3.9 percent and double-digit profit growth, according to Randstad.

Profit growth outpaced revenue

The third quarter showed operating leverage rather than a simple volume rebound. Underlying EBITA increased 10 percent from EUR 191 million in the third quarter of 2025, while the underlying EBITA margin rose to 3.5 percent from 3.3 percent. Reported net income reached EUR 110 million, compared with EUR 83 million a year earlier, according to Randstad.

Cash generation also strengthened. Free cash flow was EUR 250 million in the third quarter, up from EUR 244 million in the comparable period, while net debt declined to EUR 1.15 billion from EUR 1.22 billion. That combination gives the earnings recovery a firmer balance-sheet backdrop, although the gross margin fell to 17.8 percent from 18.4 percent.

What does the margin say?

The margin mix remains the key qualification to the profit increase. Randstad said North American revenue rose 9 percent organically in the third quarter, while Germany grew 5 percent and the Netherlands grew 3 percent. The stronger regional performance helped offset declines of 5 percent in Belgium and Luxembourg and 3 percent in France, according to Randstad.

Analyst opinion turned more cautious after the results. According to Business Insider on October 26, 2026, Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded Randstad from Hold to Reduce and set a EUR 37.00 price target. The target is 8.30 percent below the Lang & Schwarz price, showing that earnings improvement has not removed valuation concerns.

Upcoming reporting dates

Randstad has scheduled publication of its fourth-quarter 2026 results for February 17, 2027, followed by its annual general meeting on March 31, 2027, according to Randstad. The next results will test whether the early-October improvement in activity can translate into wider margins.

Stock remains below its yearly high

Randstad stock was trading at EUR 40.35 at Lang & Schwarz on October 27, 2026 at 11:14 a.m. CET. The quote stands 4.34 percent below the EUR 42.18 52-week high and the market capitalization was EUR 7.1 billion as of October 27, 2026.

The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Randstad stock.