Top Stocks From the Staffing Services Industry to Buy Now

An updated edition of the Jun. 10, 2026, article.

Staffing extends well beyond filling vacancies; it is a critical lever for driving productivity, controlling costs and enabling business scalability. In today's dynamic and competitive environment, organizations must remain agile and responsive to shifting demand patterns. This elevates staffing from an operational necessity to a strategic function that directly influences revenue growth, margin efficiency and overall business performance. From managing cyclical hiring needs to building leadership pipelines, effective staffing solutions support both near-term execution and long-term value creation.

The staffing industry itself is undergoing a structural transformation, driven by digital innovation, evolving workforce demographics and the rising adoption of flexible work models. Enterprises are increasingly partnering with staffing firms that offer not just talent supply but also strategic insights into labor market trends, workforce planning, and skills availability. Technology is central to this shift. AI-driven recruitment platforms, virtual assessments, and advanced analytics are improving placement speed, reducing hiring costs, and enhancing match quality, factors that can significantly expand margins and improve return on investment.

As competition for skilled talent intensifies globally, staffing firms with scalable platforms, strong client relationships, and advanced digital capabilities are better positioned to capture market share. Their ability to navigate economic cycles, address persistent skills gaps, and support enterprise growth makes them increasingly relevant in today's environment. In this context, staffing is not just a support service; it is a structural growth driver that influences industry dynamics, enhances operational efficiency, and underpins long-term shareholder value creation.

For investors, the staffing sector offers compelling opportunities. Firms like Everforth, Inc. EFOR, Kforce Inc. KFRC and Korn Ferry KFY are positioning themselves as enablers of workforce transformation.

Our Staffing Screen will help you identify the right stocks now to capitalize on the hiring boom. Leveraging advanced tools, our thematic screens highlight companies shaping the future of work, making it easier to invest in this high-growth industry.

Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 39 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.

Story Continues

Everforth delivered a strong second-quarter 2026 performance, with revenues reaching $1 billion and adjusted EBITDA margin expanding to 9.6%, both ahead of management's expectations.

The quarter benefited from solid momentum across the company's Commercial enterprise platform portfolio, where improved bookings conversion supported stronger-than-anticipated revenue growth. Management highlighted that healthier execution in converting demand into revenue reflects improving operational efficiency and customer engagement. Beyond the quarterly performance, Everforth further reinforced its financial position by expanding its revolving credit facility shortly after the quarter ended, providing greater balance-sheet strength and additional financial flexibility to support future growth initiatives. The company also remains optimistic about the long-term opportunities created by the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence.

Management believes enterprises are increasingly shifting from AI experimentation to large-scale deployments, creating greater demand for IT services that can integrate AI into existing workflows, data ecosystems, and operating models. With its combination of skilled talent, industry expertise, governance capabilities, and strategic technology partnerships, Everforth believes it is well-positioned to capitalize on this evolving market opportunity.

EFOR currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Kforce's second-quarter performance highlighted strengthening business momentum, with revenue and profitability once again exceeding management's expectations. According to leadership, revenues have improved sequentially since the first quarter of 2026, with growth accelerating in the second quarter and further improvement anticipated in the third. Management also emphasized that the company has delivered three consecutive quarters of revenue growth, returning to levels seen before the pandemic and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. Notably, these gains have been accompanied by operating margins that are significantly stronger than those achieved during comparable periods in the past, reflecting improved execution and operational discipline.

Management also expressed confidence that the growing adoption of AI is creating opportunities rather than reducing demand for skilled professionals. The company believes technology initiatives, including AI-related projects, continue to require highly qualified talent, supporting sustained demand for its services. Executives noted that Kforce's integrated "One Kforce" strategy is gaining traction, enabling teams to collaborate more effectively and deliver a broader range of capabilities to clients. This unified approach has helped deepen client relationships, expand participation in higher-value engagements and reinforce the company's competitive positioning as enterprises continue to invest in digital transformation and advanced technology initiatives.

KFRC currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Korn Ferry delivered another solid quarter, extending its growth trajectory despite an uneven macroeconomic backdrop. The company reported fourth-quarter fee revenues of $759.8 million, contributing to annual fee revenue of $2.9 billion. Management highlighted that this was the fifth consecutive quarter of top-line growth, reflecting the resilience of its diversified business model and the growing relevance of its consulting, talent and organizational solutions. Leadership also pointed to sustained momentum across multiple service lines, suggesting that demand remains healthy even as clients navigate a challenging economic environment. The consistent revenue expansion underscores the company's ability to execute effectively and capitalize on evolving workforce and business transformation needs.

Another encouraging development was the strong performance of the Professional Search & Interim business, which delivered double-digit growth during the quarter. Management attributed this to the breadth of the firm's integrated offerings and increasing client engagement across solutions. Executives also emphasized that greater collaboration under the company's "We Are Korn Ferry" operating philosophy is enhancing cross-functional execution and strengthening client relationships. Leadership expressed confidence in the firm's long-term growth prospects, noting that the combination of employee expertise, collaborative culture, and comprehensive talent solutions positions Korn Ferry well to help organizations drive transformation while supporting sustainable business expansion.

KFY currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Korn/Ferry International (KFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Kforce, Inc. (KFRC) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Everforth Inc. (EFOR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

View Comments