10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2026

OR

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________ to ___________

Commission File Number 001-14505

KORN FERRY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware	95-2623879
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1225, Los Angeles, California 90067

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(310) 552-1834

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	KFY	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer ☑	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company ☐
	Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of March 4, 2026 was 51,887,087 shares.

KORN FERRY

Table of Contents

Item #	Description	Page
	Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2026 (unaudited) and April 30, 2025	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for three and nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	45
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	46
	Part II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	47
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	47
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	47
Item 5.	Other Information	47
Item 6.	Exhibits	48
	Signatures	49

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	January 31,<br>2026		April 30,<br>2025
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	938,365	$	1,006,964
Marketable securities	38,367		36,388
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $45,990 and $40,461 at January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively	626,813		565,255
Income taxes and other receivables	65,823		38,394
Unearned compensation	65,882		61,649
Prepaid expenses and other assets	53,225		41,488
Total current assets	1,788,475		1,750,138
Marketable securities, non-current	241,745		233,626
Property and equipment, net	182,572		173,610
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	141,084		152,712
Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies, net of loans	285,516		252,621
Deferred income taxes	134,199		144,560
Goodwill	951,962		948,832
Intangible assets, net	52,047		70,193
Unearned compensation, non-current	128,310		106,965
Investments and other assets	43,698		27,967
Total assets	$	3,949,608	$	3,861,224
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	60,034	$	58,884
Income taxes payable	23,313		23,079
Compensation and benefits payable	457,225		530,473
Operating lease liability, current	29,418		38,573
Other accrued liabilities	319,565		304,589
Total current liabilities	889,555		955,598
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans	491,616		477,770
Operating lease liability, non-current	132,633		131,762
Long-term debt	398,354		397,736
Deferred tax liabilities	6,436		5,981
Other liabilities	23,049		20,238
Total liabilities	1,941,643		1,989,085
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 79,180 and 78,264 shares issued and 51,463 and 51,458 shares outstanding at January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively	351,578		364,425
Retained earnings	1,716,206		1,588,274
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(65,337)		(86,243)
Total Korn Ferry stockholders' equity	2,002,447		1,866,456
Noncontrolling interest	5,518		5,683
Total stockholders' equity	2,007,965		1,872,139
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,949,608	$	3,861,224

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Fee revenue	$	717,385	$	668,729	$	2,147,697	$	2,018,040
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses	7,657		7,809		22,688		23,219
Total revenue	725,042		676,538		2,170,385		2,041,259
Compensation and benefits	456,823		425,319		1,380,268		1,314,521
General and administrative expenses	65,944		65,325		180,068		189,865
Reimbursed expenses	7,657		7,809		22,688		23,219
Cost of services	80,607		78,047		236,888		210,248
Depreciation and amortization	22,994		20,490		77,253		59,756
Restructuring charges, net	—		1,316		—		1,892
Total operating expenses	634,025		598,306		1,897,165		1,799,501
Operating income	91,017		78,232		273,220		241,758
Other income, net	7,468		9,363		27,295		29,259
Interest expense, net	(5,663)		(5,461)		(14,942)		(15,032)
Income before provision for income taxes	92,822		82,134		285,573		255,985
Income tax provision	26,683		22,795		78,578		70,047
Net income	66,139		59,339		206,995		185,938
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(874)		(925)		(2,695)		(4,120)
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	$	65,265	$	58,414	$	204,300	$	181,818
Earnings per common share attributable to Korn Ferry:
Basic	$	1.25	$	1.12	$	3.91	$	3.46
Diluted	$	1.23	$	1.10	$	3.84	$	3.40
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	51,570		51,606		51,594		51,838
Diluted	52,417		52,364		52,612		52,789

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Net income	$	66,139	$	59,339	$	206,995	$	185,938
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	22,092		(21,353)		21,746		(14,902)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax	(11)		56		(36)		(91)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax	4		(23)		(8)		71
Comprehensive income	88,224		38,019		228,697		171,016
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,336)		(885)		(3,491)		(3,308)
Comprehensive income attributable to Korn Ferry	$	86,888	$	37,134	$	225,206	$	167,708

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

	Common Stock			Retained<br>Earnings		Accumulated<br>Other<br>Comprehensive <br>Loss, Net		Total<br>Korn Ferry<br>Stockholders'<br>Equity		Noncontrolling<br>Interest		Total <br>Stockholder's <br>Equity
	Shares	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2025	51,458	$	364,425	$	1,588,274	$	(86,243)	$	1,866,456	$	5,683	$	1,872,139
Net income	—	—		66,636		—		66,636		798		67,434
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—	—		—		(1,608)		(1,608)		244		(1,364)
Dividends paid to stockholders	—	—		(26,209)		—		(26,209)		—		(26,209)
Purchase of stock	(400)	(28,597)		—		—		(28,597)		—		(28,597)
Issuance of stock	712	4,620		—		—		4,620		—		4,620
Stock-based compensation	—	10,790		—		—		10,790		—		10,790
Balance as of July 31, 2025	51,770	351,238		1,628,701		(87,851)		1,892,088		6,725		1,898,813
Net income	—	—		72,399		—		72,399		1,023		73,422
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		891		891		90		981
Dividends paid to stockholders	—	—		(25,136)		—		(25,136)		—		(25,136)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		(2,208)		(2,208)
Purchase of stock	(119)	(8,390)		—		—		(8,390)		—		(8,390)
Issuance of stock	43	—		—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	12,303		—		—		12,303		—		12,303
Balance as of October 31, 2025	51,694	355,151		1,675,964		(86,960)		1,944,155		5,630		1,949,785
Net income	—	—		65,265		—		65,265		874		66,139
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		21,623		21,623		462		22,085
Dividends paid to stockholders	—	—		(25,023)		—		(25,023)		—		(25,023)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		(1,448)		(1,448)
Purchase of stock	(290)	(19,304)		—		—		(19,304)		—		(19,304)
Issuance of stock	59	3,731		—		—		3,731		—		3,731
Stock-based compensation	—	12,000		—		—		12,000		—		12,000
Balance as of January 31, 2026	51,463	$	351,578	$	1,716,206	$	(65,337)	$	2,002,447	$	5,518	$	2,007,965

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

	Common Stock			Retained<br>Earnings		Accumulated<br>Other<br>Comprehensive <br>Loss, Net		Total<br>Korn Ferry<br>Stockholders'<br>Equity		Noncontrolling<br>Interest		Total <br>Stockholder's <br>Equity
	Shares	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2024	51,983	$	414,885	$	1,425,844	$	(107,671)	$	1,733,058	$	4,267	$	1,737,325
Net income	—	—		62,604		—		62,604		1,652		64,256
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		—		2,811		2,811		(518)		2,293
Dividends paid to stockholders	—	—		(19,800)		—		(19,800)		—		(19,800)
Purchase of stock	(604)	(40,113)		—		—		(40,113)		—		(40,113)
Issuance of stock	775	4,720		—		—		4,720		—		4,720
Stock-based compensation	—	10,561		—		—		10,561		—		10,561
Balance as of July 31, 2024	52,154	390,053		1,468,648		(104,860)		1,753,841		5,401		1,759,242
Net income	—	—		60,800		—		60,800		1,543		62,343
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		—		4,359		4,359		(254)		4,105
Dividends paid to stockholders	—	—		(19,462)		—		(19,462)		—		(19,462)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		(1,570)		(1,570)
Purchase of stock	(461)	(32,944)		—		—		(32,944)		—		(32,944)
Issuance of stock	55	—		—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	11,151		—		—		11,151		—		11,151
Balance as of October 31, 2024	51,748	368,260		1,509,986		(100,501)		1,777,745		5,120		1,782,865
Net income	—	—		58,414		—		58,414		925		59,339
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(21,280)		(21,280)		(40)		(21,320)
Dividends paid to stockholders	—	—		(19,314)		—		(19,314)		—		(19,314)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		(1,468)		(1,468)
Purchase of stock	(238)	(17,972)		—		—		(17,972)		—		(17,972)
Issuance of stock	63	4,022		—		—		4,022		—		4,022
Stock-based compensation	—	11,125		—		—		11,125		—		11,125
Balance as of January 31, 2025	51,573	$	365,435	$	1,549,086	$	(121,781)	$	1,792,740	$	4,537	$	1,797,277

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	206,995	$	185,938
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	77,253		59,756
Stock-based compensation expense	35,688		33,464
Provision for doubtful accounts	13,977		12,918
Gain on modification of office lease	(13,907)		—
Gain on marketable securities	(26,088)		(27,992)
Deferred income taxes	11,311		5,964
Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies	(8,566)		(7,253)
Impairment of right-of-use assets	—		2,452
Impairment of fixed assets	—		509
Change in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(65,897)		(127,755)
Receivables due from clients	(75,535)		(35,933)
Deferred compensation	24,710		39,860
Unearned compensation	(25,578)		(13,803)
Income taxes and other receivables	(11,661)		(13,347)
Income taxes payable	(278)		(7,364)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,737)		4,279
Other	(13,179)		(3,144)
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,508		108,549
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(65,083)		(42,191)
Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities	45,857		33,428
Purchase of marketable securities	(29,625)		(31,916)
Premium on company-owned life insurance policies	(28,175)		(28,213)
Proceeds from life insurance policies	3,355		612
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—		(44,442)
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries	—		40
Net cash used in investing activities	(73,671)		(112,682)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders	(76,368)		(58,576)
Repurchases of common stock	(37,625)		(73,920)
Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock	(19,071)		(17,053)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with an employee stock purchase plan	7,516		7,868
Dividends - noncontrolling interest	(3,656)		(3,038)
Principal payments on finance leases	(1,498)		(1,211)
Payments on life insurance policy loans	(272)		(519)
Net cash used in financing activities	(130,974)		(146,449)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	18,538		(11,125)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(68,599)		(161,707)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,006,964		941,005
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	938,365	$	779,298

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a global consulting firm that powers performance. The Company helps unlock the potential in people and unleash transformation across organizations—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. Korn Ferry has expanded its capabilities and become a comprehensive partner for talent and organizational performance. The Company delivers a broad range of offerings across the talent lifecycle, combining deep expertise with scalable delivery models to meet the needs of organizations at every stage of growth.

Korn Ferry delivers its services through five Solution areas, and together, these areas comprise eight reportable segments, supported by a centralized corporate function that drives consistency, innovation, and scale. These segments represent how the Company currently organizes and delivers work to the market, enabling Korn Ferry to deliver specialized expertise at scale while remaining agile in response to evolving client needs. The five Solution areas are the following:

1.Consulting helps clients design and implement the talent strategies, organizational structures, and workforce capabilities and rewards to drive growth. The consulting teams collaborate across Korn Ferry to deliver integrated solutions that support end-to-end transformation—from strategy through execution.

2.Digital leads the development, integration and commercialization of products in the Korn Ferry Talent Suite, as well as enabling technology across Korn Ferry's other Solution areas. Built on decades of proprietary data, intellectual property ("IP"), behavioral science, and talent intelligence, these tools empower data-driven decision-making and provide real-time access to benchmarks, assessments, talent development, rewards, and diagnostics across the talent lifecycle. They are leveraged in multiple ways: by consultants within service delivery, as embedded components of Integrated Solutions, or accessed directly by clients through subscription-and license-based models.

3.Executive Search delivers industry-leading executive recruitment across global markets, powered by decades of expertise and deep industry/sector specialization, and Korn Ferry’s own top-tier executive search professionals. The Company helps organizations recruit board-level, C-suite, and senior executive talent, using proprietary assessments, leadership benchmarks, and deep functional insight to identify leaders who align with strategy, culture, and long-term priorities. This solution is managed and reported on a geographic basis and represents four of the Company’s reportable segments (Executive Search North America, Executive Search Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), Executive Search Asia Pacific ("APAC"), and Executive Search Latin America).

4.Professional Search & Interim focuses on scalable, high impact recruiting and interim talent solutions at the professional level that offer flexibility and speed in dynamic business environments. Korn Ferry helps clients rapidly place permanent professionals and senior/professional interim leaders across business-critical functions such as Finance and Accounting, IT, HR, and Operations.

5.Recruitment Process Outsourcing ("RPO") provides high-volume, outsourced hiring solutions that deliver end-to-end talent acquisition services for enterprise clients. These programs are delivered through global Talent Delivery Centers, using a technology enabled platform and are designed and managed to align with each client’s business objectives, leveraging Korn Ferry’s IP, data, science, and deep talent expertise. Advanced technology and artificial intelligence-driven tools are used to enhance the platform to drive scale, efficiency, and quality, while offering an engaging experience for candidates throughout the hiring process.

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2025 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and prevailing practice within the Company's different industries. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or any other period.

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Use of Estimates and Uncertainties

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed or determinable.

Revenue Recognition

Substantially all fee revenue is derived from talent and organizational consulting services and digital sales, stand-alone or as part of a solution, fees for professional services related to executive and professional recruitment performed on a retained basis, interim services and RPO.

Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue contracts with customers are evaluated based on the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers: 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligation(s); and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.

Consulting fee revenue is primarily recognized as services are rendered, measured by total hours incurred as a percentage of the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for consulting engagements may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate.

Digital fee revenue is generated from IP-based software products enabling large-scale talent programs for pay, talent development, engagement, and assessment and is consumed directly by an end user or indirectly through a consulting engagement. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered and the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment. Revenue also comes from the sale of the Company’s product subscriptions, which are considered symbolic IP due to the dynamic nature of the content. As a result, revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. Functional IP licenses grant customers the right to use IP content via the delivery of a flat file. Because the IP content license has significant stand-alone functionality, revenue is recognized upon delivery and when an enforceable right to payment exists.

Fee revenue from executive and professional search activities is generally one-third of the estimated first-year cash compensation of the placed candidate, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement-related expenses. In addition to the search retainer, an uptick fee is billed when the actual compensation awarded by the client for a placement is higher than the estimated compensation. In the aggregate, upticks have been a relatively consistent percentage of the original estimated fee; therefore, the Company estimates upticks using the expected value method based on historical data on a portfolio basis. In a standard search engagement, there is one performance obligation, which is the promise to undertake a search. The Company generally recognizes such revenue over the course of a search and when it is legally entitled to payment as outlined in the billing terms of the contract. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved, as this is when control is transferred to the customer. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition for the reported period. In addition to talent acquisition for permanent placement roles, the Professional Search & Interim segment also offers recruitment services for interim roles. Interim roles are short-term in duration, generally less than 12 months. Generally, each interim role is a separate performance obligation. The Company recognizes fee revenue over the duration that the interim resources’ services are provided which also aligns to the contracted invoicing plan and enforceable right to payment.

RPO fee revenue is generated through two distinct phases: 1) the implementation phase and 2) the post-implementation recruitment phase. The fees associated with the implementation phase are recognized over the period that the related implementation services are provided. The post-implementation recruitment phase represents end-to-end recruiting services to clients for which there are both fixed and variable fees, which are recognized over the period that the related recruiting services are performed.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic conditions for a period of sixty to ninety days,

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivable. After the Company exhausts its collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances written off as uncollectible.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents consisted of money market funds and as of April 30, 2025 also consisted of commercial paper with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts that exceed federally insured FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Marketable Securities

The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds that are classified as either equity securities or available-for-sale debt securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next 12 months are carried as current assets.

The Company invests in mutual funds (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans. Such investments are classified as equity securities and mirror the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (collectively, “ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis; dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest, dividend income and the changes in fair value in marketable securities are recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income in other income, net.

The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio may include commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income unless the change is due to credit loss. A credit loss is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income in other income, net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized losses as a component of comprehensive income. Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, no amount was recognized as a credit loss for the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:

•Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

•Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

•Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, accounts receivable, marketable securities and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amount of cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as equity securities are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency forward contracts are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include property, equipment, right-of-use ("ROU") assets and software developed or obtained for internal use. Management reviews the Company’s recorded long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. The Company determines the extent to which an asset may be impaired based upon its expectation of the asset’s future usability, as well as on a reasonable assurance that the future cash flows associated with the asset will be in excess of its carrying amount. If the total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between fair value and the carrying value of the asset. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company reduced its real estate footprint, and as a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of ROU assets of $2.5 million recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income in general and administrative expenses. Furthermore, during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company also recognized a $0.4 million software impairment charge in the Digital segment, which was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income in general and administrative expenses. There were no impairments of long-lived assets recorded during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Results of the annual qualitative test performed as of February 1, 2025, indicated that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying value and no indicators of impairment were identified. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, there were no indicators of potential impairment with respect to the Company’s goodwill that would require further testing for impairment.

Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases and IP. Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. The Company reviewed its intangible assets and did not identify any indicators of impairment as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025.

Earnings Per Share

The Company treats unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. The Company has granted and expects to continue to grant to certain employees under its restricted stock agreements, grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities. Therefore, the Company is required to apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury method or the two-class method.

Basic earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. Financial instruments that are not in the form of common stock, but when converted into common stock increase earnings per share, are anti-dilutive and are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Recent Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to the accounting update for income taxes disclosures. The new amendment provides improvements to annual income tax disclosures by requiring specific categories in the rate reconciliation and disaggregated information for income taxes paid. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and can be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company will adopt this guidance beginning in fiscal 2026 for its annual report for the year ending April 30, 2026. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

In November 2024, the FASB issued an accounting update that requires public companies to disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company will adopt this guidance in fiscal 2028 and in the interim periods beginning in fiscal 2029. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In July 2025, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting update for measurement of credit losses for accounts receivable and contract assets. The amendment provides an accounting policy election when estimating expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under ASC 606. The amendment will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted in both interim and annual reporting periods in which the financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance but does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In September 2025, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting update for internal-use software. The new amendment removes all references to prescriptive and sequential software development stages and requires the Company to start capitalizing software costs when 1) management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and 2) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders:

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	$	65,265	$	58,414	$	204,300	$	181,818
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders	769		721		2,498		2,488
Basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders	64,496		57,693		201,802		179,330
Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders	473		483		1,516		1,654
Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders	466		476		1,487		1,625
Diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	64,503	$	57,700	$	201,831	$	179,359
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	51,570		51,606		51,594		51,838
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock	845		755		1,008		947
Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")	2		3		10		4
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	52,417		52,364		52,612		52,789
Net earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per share	$	1.25	$	1.12	$	3.91	$	3.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.23	$	1.10	$	3.84	$	3.40

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, restricted stock awards of 0.6 million shares and 0.6 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, restricted stock awards of 0.6 million shares and 0.7 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

3. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends), and is reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net were as follows:

	January 31,<br>2026		April 30,<br>2025
	(in thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(72,954)	$	(93,904)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax	7,568		7,604
Marketable securities unrealized gain, net of tax	49		57
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	$	(65,337)	$	(86,243)

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended January 31, 2026:

	Foreign<br>Currency<br>Translation		Deferred<br>Compensation<br>and Pension<br>Plan		Unrealized Gains on<br><br>Marketable Securities		Accumulated<br>Other<br>Comprehensive<br>Loss
	(in thousands)
Balance as of October 31, 2025	$	(94,584)	$	7,579	$	45	$	(86,960)
Unrealized gains arising during the period	21,630		—		4		21,634
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income	—		(11)		—		(11)
Balance as of January 31, 2026	$	(72,954)	$	7,568	$	49	$	(65,337)

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the nine months ended January 31, 2026:

	Foreign<br>Currency<br>Translation		Deferred<br><br>Compensation<br><br>and Pension<br><br>Plan		Unrealized Gains<br><br>on Marketable Securities		Accumulated<br>Other<br>Comprehensive<br>Loss
	(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2025	$	(93,904)	$	7,604	$	57	$	(86,243)
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	20,950		—		(8)		20,942
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income	—		(36)		—		(36)
Balance as of January 31, 2026	$	(72,954)	$	7,568	$	49	$	(65,337)

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended January 31, 2025:

	Foreign<br>Currency<br>Translation		Deferred<br><br>Compensation<br><br>and Pension<br><br>Plan		Unrealized Gains on<br><br>Marketable Securities		Accumulated<br>Other<br>Comprehensive<br>Loss
	(in thousands)
Balance as of October 31, 2024	$	(108,781)	$	8,223	$	57	$	(100,501)
Unrealized losses arising during the period	(21,313)		—		(21)		(21,334)
Reclassification of realized net losses (gains) to net income	—		56		(2)		54
Balance as of January 31, 2025	$	(130,094)	$	8,279	$	34	$	(121,781)

The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the nine months ended January 31, 2025:

	Foreign<br>Currency<br>Translation		Deferred<br><br>Compensation<br><br>and Pension<br><br>Plan (1)		Unrealized (Losses) Gains<br><br>on Marketable Securities		Accumulated<br>Other<br>Comprehensive<br>Loss
	(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2024	$	(116,004)	$	8,370	$	(37)	$	(107,671)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period	(14,090)		—		73		(14,017)
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income	—		(91)		(2)		(93)
Balance as of January 31, 2025	$	(130,094)	$	8,279	$	34	$	(121,781)

___________________

(1)	The tax effect on the reclassification of realized net gains was $0.1 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

4. Employee Stock Plans

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Restricted stock	$	12,000	$	11,125	$	35,093	$	32,837
ESPP	153		176		595		627
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	12,153	$	11,301	$	35,688	$	33,464

Common Stock

During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 289,320 shares and 549,767 shares of the Company’s common stock for $19.3 million and $37.2 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 237,000 shares and 1,044,500 shares of the Company's common stock for $17.9 million and $74.0 million, respectively.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Cash Dividends

The following table shows the Company's cash dividend declared per share for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.48	$	0.37	$	1.44	$	1.11

5. Financial Instruments

The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classification as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025:

	January 31, 2026
	Fair Value Measurement								Balance Sheet Classification
	Cost		Unrealized<br>Gains		Unrealized<br>Losses		Fair<br>Value		Cash and<br>Cash<br>Equivalents		Marketable<br>Securities,<br>Current		Marketable<br>Securities,<br>Non-<br>current		Income Taxes & Other Receivables
	(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Income
Level 2:
Corporate notes/bonds	$	41,509	$	73	$	(11)	$	41,571	$	—	$	23,344	$	18,227	$	—
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities	501		3		—		504		—		504		—		—
Total debt investments	$	42,010	$	76	$	(11)	$	42,075	$	—	$	23,848	$	18,227	$	—
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)							$	238,037	$	—	$	14,519	$	223,518	$	—
Total equity investments							$	238,037	$	—	$	14,519	$	223,518	$	—
Cash							$	703,143	$	703,143	$	—	$	—	$	—
Money market funds							235,222		235,222		—		—		—
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts							1,071		—		—		—		1,071
Total							$	1,219,548	$	938,365	$	38,367	$	241,745	$	1,071

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

	April 30, 2025
	Fair Value Measurement								Balance Sheet Classification
	Cost		Unrealized<br>Gains		Unrealized<br>Losses		Fair<br>Value		Cash and<br>Cash<br>Equivalents		Marketable<br>Securities,<br>Current		Marketable<br>Securities,<br>Non-current		Income Taxes & Other Receivables
	(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Income
Level 2:
Commercial paper	$	3,842	$	—	$	(1)	$	3,841	$	500	$	3,341	$	—	$	—
Corporate notes/bonds	32,747		83		(10)		32,820		—		18,709		14,111		—
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities	3,497		4		—		3,501		—		1,995		1,506		—
Total debt investments	$	40,086	$	87	$	(11)	$	40,162	$	500	$	24,045	$	15,617	$	—
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)							$	230,352	$	—	$	12,343	$	218,009	$	—
Total equity investments							$	230,352	$	—	$	12,343	$	218,009	$	—
Cash							$	704,091	$	704,091	$	—	$	—	$	—
Money market funds							302,373		302,373		—		—		—
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts							891		—		—		—		891
Total							$	1,277,869	$	1,006,964	$	36,388	$	233,626	$	891

___________________

(1)

These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $220.0 million and $205.3 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $18.8 million and $19.5 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $7.1 million and $26.1 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income, net. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $9.1 million and $28.0 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income, net.

As of January 31, 2026, available-for-sale marketable securities had remaining maturities ranging from less than 1 month to 24 months. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, there were $9.2 million and $24.6 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, there were $7.7 million and $24.5 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. Investments in marketable securities that are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations under the ECAP are equity securities and are based upon the investment selections the employee elects from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company invests in equity securities to mirror these elections. As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, the Company’s investments in equity securities consisted of mutual funds for which market prices are readily available. Unrealized gains recorded for the period that relate to equity securities still held as of January 31, 2026 and 2025 were $11.7 million and $15.1 million, respectively.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows:

	January 31,<br>2026		April 30,<br>2025
	(in thousands)
Derivative assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	1,711	$	2,486
Derivative liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	640	$	1,595

As of January 31, 2026, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $68.3 million and $21.4 million, respectively. As of April 30, 2025, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $74.7 million and $42.6 million, respectively. The Company recognizes forward contracts as a net asset or net liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as such contracts are covered by master netting agreements. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, the Company incurred a gain of $1.1 million and a loss of $1.6 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company incurred losses of $1.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. These foreign currency gains and losses related to forward contracts offset foreign currency losses and gains that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. The cash flows related to foreign currency forward contracts are included in cash flows from operating activities.

6. Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans

The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for eligible consultants and vice presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions. Among these plans is a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in the U.S. The assets of this plan are held separately from the assets of the sponsor in self-administered funds. All other defined benefit obligations from other plans are unfunded.

The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Service cost	$	12,800	$	11,825	$	37,263	$	34,305
Interest cost	3,939		4,513		11,762		13,477
Amortization of actuarial loss	127		33		381		97
Expected return on plan assets (1)	(278)		(267)		(834)		(799)
Net periodic service credit amortization	(102)		(101)		(304)		(304)
Net periodic benefit costs (2)	$	16,486	$	16,003	$	48,268	$	46,776

___________________

(1)	The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.25% and 6.00% for January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
(2)	The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other income, net, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

The Company purchased company-owned life insurance ("COLI") contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of setting aside funds to cover such plans. The gross cash surrender value ("CSV") of these contracts of $358.1 million and $325.5 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively, was offset by outstanding policy loans of $72.6 million and $72.8 million in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $3.5 million and $8.6 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, respectively, and was recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $2.5 million and $7.3 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, respectively, and was recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

The Company’s ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer their salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis. In addition, the Company, as part of its compensation philosophy, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. Certain key members of management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis over the service period, generally a five-year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or ‘in service’ either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over one-to-15 years. The ECAP amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $6.9 million and $25.3 million, respectively. Offsetting the increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $7.1 million and $26.1 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, respectively, recorded in other income, net on the condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $8.8 million and $27.1 million, respectively. Offsetting the increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $9.1 million and $28.0 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, respectively, recorded in other income, net on the condensed consolidated statements of income (see Note 5 — Financial Instruments).

7. Fee Revenue

Contract Balances

A contract asset (unbilled receivables) is recorded when the Company transfers control of products or services before there is an unconditional right to payment. A contract liability (deferred revenue) is recorded when cash is received in advance of performance of the obligation. Deferred revenue represents the future performance obligations to transfer control of products or services for which the Company has already received consideration. Deferred revenue is presented in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025:

	January 31, 2026		April 30, 2025
	(in thousands)
Contract assets-unbilled receivables	$	119,492	$	113,743
Contract liabilities-deferred revenue	$	259,642	$	245,379

During the nine months ended January 31, 2026, the Company recognized revenue of $169.3 million that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Performance Obligations

The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to exclude the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with a duration of one year or less, which applies to all executive search, professional search and to most of the fee revenue from the interim business. As of January 31, 2026, the aggregate transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied for contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year at inception was $1,295.2 million. Of the $1,295.2 million of remaining performance obligations, the Company expects to recognize approximately $201.7 million in the remainder of fiscal 2026, $590.5 million in fiscal 2027, $286.4 million in fiscal 2028 and the remaining $216.6 million in fiscal 2029 and thereafter. However, this amount should not be considered an indication of the Company’s future revenue as contracts with an initial term of one year or less are not included. Further, the Company's contract terms and conditions allow for clients to increase or decrease the scope of services and such changes do not increase or decrease a performance obligation until the Company has an enforceable right to payment.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company disaggregates its revenue by Solution area and further by region for Executive Search. This information is presented in Note 10 — Segments.

The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry:

	Three Months Ended January 31,
	2026				2025
	Dollars		%		Dollars		%
	(dollars in thousands)
Industrial	$	226,085	31.5	%	$	198,830	29.7	%
Financial Services	135,951		19.0		126,378		18.9
Life Sciences/Healthcare	121,526		16.9		118,358		17.7
Technology	103,839		14.4		98,425		14.7
Consumer Goods	88,657		12.4		83,977		12.6
Education/Non–Profit/General	41,327		5.8		42,761		6.4
Fee Revenue	$	717,385	100.0	%	$	668,729	100.0	%			Nine Months Ended January 31,
---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
	2026				2025
	Dollars		%		Dollars		%
	(dollars in thousands)
Industrial	$	678,968	31.6	%	$	605,614	30.0	%
Financial Services	408,305		19.0		377,625		18.7
Life Sciences/Healthcare	358,084		16.7		349,946		17.3
Technology	313,644		14.6		292,362		14.5
Consumer Goods	257,991		12.0		257,622		12.8
Education/Non–Profit/General	130,705		6.1		134,871		6.7
Fee Revenue	$	2,147,697	100.0	%	$	2,018,040	100.0	%

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

8. Credit Losses

The activity in the allowance for credit losses on the Company’s trade receivables is as follows:

	(in thousands)
Balance at April 30, 2025	$	40,461
Provision for credit losses	13,977
Write-offs	(9,318)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	131
Foreign currency translation	739
Balance at January 31, 2026	$	45,990

The fair value and unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position as January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, are as follows:

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or longer				Balance Sheet Classification
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Cash and Cash<br>Equivalent		Marketable Securities,<br>Current		Marketable<br>Securities, Non-<br>Current
	(in thousands)
Balance at January 31, 2026
Corporate notes/bonds	$	12,845	$	11	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,034	$	10,811
Balance at April 30, 2025
Commercial paper	$	3,841	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	500	$	3,341	$	—
Corporate notes/bonds	$	7,803	$	10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,630	$	3,173

The Company only purchases high grade bonds that have a maturity from the date of purchase of no more than two years. The Company monitors the creditworthiness of its investments on a quarterly basis. The Company does not intend to sell the investments and does not believe it will be required to sell the investments before the investments mature and therefore recover the amortized cost basis.

9. Income Taxes

The provision for income tax was $26.7 million and $78.6 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2026, with an effective tax rate of 28.7% and 27.5%, respectively, compared to $22.8 million and $70.0 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, with an effective tax rate of 27.8% and 27.4%, respectively. The Company's effective tax rate is primarily impacted by U.S. state income taxes and jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in the effective tax rate over time.

On July 4, 2025, House Resolution 1, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the "Act") was enacted into law. Key provisions of the Act include the extension and modification of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, changes to bonus depreciation, adjustments to business interest expense limitations, and modifications to the treatment of research and development expenditures. The Act has multiple effective dates, with certain provisions effective in the Company's fiscal 2026 and others becoming effective in fiscal 2027. In accordance with ASC 740, the effect of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recognized in the period when the legislation is enacted. The Company has reflected the effect on the Act within the provision for income taxes and the deferred tax balances as of January 31, 2026. The Act did not materially impact the Company's effective tax rate.

10. Segments

The Company has eight reportable segments: Consulting, Digital, Executive Search North America, Executive Search EMEA, Executive Search APAC, Executive Search Latin America, Professional Search & Interim and RPO.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

The Company's chief executive officer is the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the review of the Company's 1) fee revenue and 2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such costs or charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset, gain on modification of office lease and other impairment charges). The CODM is not provided asset information by reportable segment because asset information is not used for purposes of evaluating segment performance or allocating resources among segments.

Financial highlights by reportable segments are as follows:

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2026
					Executive Search
	Consulting		Digital		North America		EMEA		Asia Pacific		Latin America		Professional Search & Interim		RPO		Corporate		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Fee revenue	$	166,931	$	94,014	$	145,540	$	55,318	$	24,073	$	7,018	$	137,017	$	87,474	$	—	$	717,385
Total revenue	$	170,202	$	94,199	$	146,784	$	55,784	$	24,218	$	7,026	$	138,188	$	88,641	$	—	$	725,042
Less significant segment expenses
Compensation and benefits(1)	$	114,436	$	45,746	$	99,853	$	41,248	$	16,180	$	4,733	$	47,337	$	65,916	$	19,787
General and administrative expenses(2)	13,211		10,982		7,723		4,569		2,486		1,074		5,048		4,621		16,230
Cost of services	11,804		8,638		844		111		177		53		55,683		3,297		—
Other segment items(3)	2,334		(266)		(3,774)		397		44		(57)		1,055		1,166		(710)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	28,417		29,099		42,138		9,459		5,331		1,223		29,065		13,641		(35,307)		123,066
Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization																			22,994
Interest expense, net																			5,663
Integration/acquisition costs																			1,587
Income tax provision																			26,683
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest																			874
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry																			$	65,265

___________________

(1)Includes salaries and payroll taxes, employee insurance benefits, commissions, annual performance-related bonus expense, amortization of unearned compensation, stock-based compensation awards, changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities and changes in CSV of COLI contracts. Excludes integration/acquisition costs as they are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

(2)Mainly includes premise and office expense, marketing and business development expense, bad debts, legal and other professional fees and foreign exchange gains/losses.

(3)Includes reimbursed expenses and other income, net.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
					Executive Search
	Consulting		Digital		North America		EMEA		Asia Pacific		Latin America		Professional Search & Interim		RPO		Corporate		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Fee revenue	$	158,704	$	90,823	$	128,264	$	47,840	$	21,664	$	6,803	$	129,957	$	84,674	$	—	$	668,729
Total revenue	$	161,382	$	90,836	$	129,889	$	48,087	$	21,794	$	6,807	$	130,854	$	86,889	$	—	$	676,538
Less significant segment expenses
Compensation and benefits(1)	$	109,510	$	43,330	$	88,702	$	35,515	$	15,162	$	4,043	$	44,288	$	64,579	$	18,646
General and administrative expenses(2)	11,909		9,708		8,223		4,413		1,944		863		4,991		4,352		15,378
Cost of services	10,340		9,943		710		134		152		37		53,695		3,036		—
Other segment items(3)	1,597		(553)		(4,921)		180		32		168		615		2,179		(851)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	28,026		28,408		37,175		7,845		4,504		1,696		27,265		12,743		(33,173)		114,489
Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization																			20,490
Impairment of fixed assets																			509
Impairment of right-of-use assets																			2,452
Integration/acquisition costs																			2,127
Restructuring charges, net																			1,316
Interest expense, net																			5,461
Income tax provision																			22,795
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest																			925
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry																			$	58,414

___________________

(1)Includes salaries and payroll taxes, employee insurance benefits, commissions, annual performance-related bonus expense, amortization of unearned compensation, stock-based compensation awards, changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities and changes in CSV of COLI contracts. Excludes integration/acquisition costs as they are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

(2)Mainly includes premise and office expense, marketing and business development expense, bad debts, legal and other professional fees and foreign exchange gains/losses. Excludes integration/acquisition costs, impairment of fixed assets, and impairment of right-of-use assets as they are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

(3)Includes reimbursed expenses and other income, net.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2026
					Executive Search
	Consulting		Digital		North America		EMEA		Asia Pacific		Latin America		Professional Search & Interim		RPO		Corporate		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Fee revenue	$	509,734	$	274,241	$	427,299	$	160,999	$	72,905	$	20,950	$	412,017	$	269,552	$	—	$	2,147,697
Total revenue	$	518,831	$	274,681	$	431,565	$	162,077	$	73,321	$	20,984	$	415,834	$	273,092	$	—	$	2,170,385
Less significant segment expenses
Compensation and benefits(1)	$	350,119	$	135,384	$	296,031	$	120,118	$	49,840	$	13,689	$	146,726	$	203,646	$	60,295
General and administrative expenses(2)	39,496		31,423		21,815		13,347		6,786		2,943		14,959		13,849		49,357
Cost of services	35,921		23,676		2,611		400		515		147		163,767		9,851		—
Other segment items(3)	5,805		(1,240)		(14,224)		839		(5)		(292)		3,089		3,543		(2,122)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	87,490		85,438		125,332		27,373		16,185		4,497		87,293		42,203		(107,530)		368,281
Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization																			77,253
Gain on modification of office lease																			(13,907)
Interest expense, net																			14,942
Integration/acquisition costs																			4,420
Income tax provision																			78,578
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest																			2,695
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry																			$	204,300

___________________

(1)Includes salaries and payroll taxes, employee insurance benefits, commissions, annual performance-related bonus expense, amortization of unearned compensation, stock-based compensation awards, changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities and changes in CSV of COLI contracts. Excludes integration/acquisition costs as they are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

(2)Mainly includes premise and office expense, marketing and business development expense, bad debts, legal and other professional fees and foreign exchange gains/losses. Excludes Gain on modification of office lease as it is excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

(3)Includes reimbursed expenses and other income, net.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2025
					Executive Search
	Consulting		Digital		North America		EMEA		Asia Pacific		Latin America		Professional Search & Interim		RPO		Corporate		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Fee revenue	$	493,345	$	271,896	$	392,907	$	140,609	$	63,707	$	21,982	$	372,805	$	260,789	$	—	$	2,018,040
Total revenue	$	501,533	$	272,085	$	397,395	$	141,495	$	64,038	$	21,992	$	375,572	$	267,149	$	—	$	2,041,259
Less significant segment expenses
Compensation and benefits(1)	$	337,928	$	134,236	$	276,693	$	105,169	$	45,229	$	13,270	$	140,846	$	200,915	$	56,285
General and administrative expenses(2)	38,275		29,247		24,153		12,718		5,523		1,692		14,242		13,567		44,338
Cost of services	34,019		25,912		2,862		354		360		180		138,341		8,220		—
Other segment items(3)	4,885		(1,529)		(15,493)		657		(228)		(196)		1,969		6,311		(2,416)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	86,426		84,219		109,180		22,597		13,154		7,046		80,174		38,136		(98,207)		342,725
Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization																			59,756
Impairment of fixed assets																			509
Impairment of right-of-use assets																			2,452
Integration/acquisition costs																			7,099
Restructuring charges, net																			1,892
Interest expense, net																			15,032
Income tax provision																			70,047
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest																			4,120
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry																			$	181,818

___________________

(1)Includes salaries and payroll taxes, employee insurance benefits, commissions, annual performance-related bonus expense, amortization of unearned compensation, stock-based compensation awards, changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities and changes in CSV of COLI contracts. Excludes integration/acquisition costs as they are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

(2)Mainly includes premise and office expense, marketing and business development expense, bad debts, legal and other professional fees and foreign exchange gains/losses. Excludes integration/acquisition costs, impairment of fixed assets, and impairment of right-of-use assets as they are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

(3)Includes reimbursed expenses and other income, net.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Depreciation and amortization by reportable segments are as follows:

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Consulting	$	3,527	$	3,966	$	10,686	$	12,302
Digital	11,772		9,089		43,980		25,644
Executive Search:
North America	355		343		1,078		1,103
EMEA	628		456		1,695		1,410
Asia Pacific	241		226		719		675
Latin America	342		228		922		724
Professional Search & Interim	2,963		3,274		8,861		9,243
RPO	1,098		812		3,062		2,419
Corporate	2,068		2,096		6,250		6,236
Total depreciation and amortization	$	22,994	$	20,490	$	77,253	$	59,756

11. Long-Term Debt

4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027

Long-term debt, net at amortized cost, consisted of the following:

In thousands	January 31,<br>2026		April 30,<br>2025
Senior Unsecured Notes	$	400,000	$	400,000
Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs	(1,646)		(2,264)
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$	398,354	$	397,736

Credit Facilities

The Company was party to a credit agreement dated as of December 16, 2019 (as amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified, the “Prior Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, National Association as administrative agent and other lenders party thereto. The Prior Credit Agreement provided for a $650.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility maturing June 24, 2027 (the “Prior Facility”).

On July 1, 2025, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent and other lender parties thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for an $850.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility and other revolving commitments, as specified in the Credit Agreement (the “Facility”). The obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and those of its subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement replaced the Prior Credit Agreement, and the Company repaid all outstanding obligations under the Prior Credit Agreement and expenses and fees in connection therewith. Since the borrowing capacity under the new arrangement increased, the previously incurred unamortized and current debt issuance costs will be amortized over the life of the new arrangement.

The principal balance of the Facility, if any, is due at maturity. The Credit Agreement matures on July 1, 2030 and any unpaid principal balance is payable on this date. The Facility may also be prepaid and terminated early by the Company at any time without premium or penalty (subject to customary breakage fees).

Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either Term SOFR plus an interest rate margin between 1.125% per annum and 2.00% per annum, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio, or base rate plus an interest rate margin between 0.125% per annum and 1.00% per annum, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio. In addition, the Company will be required to pay to the lenders a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.30% per annum on the actual daily unused amount of the Facility based upon the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio at such time, and fees relating to the issuance of letters of credit.

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Facility or Prior Facility, and the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. The unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Credit Agreement were $3.8 million as of January 31, 2026 and $2.2 million under the Prior Credit Agreement as of April 30, 2025. The Company had a total of $845.6 million available under the Facility after $4.4 million of standby letters of credit were issued as of January 31, 2026. The Company had $645.6 million available under the Prior Credit Agreement after $4.4 million of standby letters of credit were issued as of April 30, 2025. The Company had a total of $15.1 million and $13.1 million of standby letters with other financial institutions as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. The standby letters of credit were generally issued in connection with the entry into certain office premise leases.

12. Leases

The Company’s lease portfolio is comprised of operating leases for office space and equipment and finance leases for equipment. Equipment leases are comprised of vehicles and office equipment. During the nine months ended January 31, 2026, at the request of a landlord, the Company modified an office lease to shorten the lease term and in return the landlord agreed to pay the Company a fixed cash incentive. As a result of the office lease modification, the Company recorded a $13.9 million gain during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 that was included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result recognized an impairment charge of ROU assets of $2.5 million, included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets	$	462	$	352	$	1,298	$	1,093
Interest on lease liabilities	51		41		146		135
	513		393		1,444		1,228
Operating lease cost	11,858		11,774		36,577		35,865
Short-term lease cost	205		226		636		654
Variable lease cost	2,746		2,763		8,244		8,131
Gain on modification of office lease	—		—		(13,907)		—
Lease impairment cost	—		2,452		—		2,452
Sublease income	(1,578)		(1,309)		(4,756)		(3,668)
Total lease cost	$	13,744	$	16,299	$	28,238	$	44,662

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025
	(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	33,204	$	37,372
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	1,498	$	1,211
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	21,720	$	20,908
Finance leases	$	2,180	$	393

KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2026 (continued)

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

Year Ending April 30,	Operating		Financing
	(in thousands)
2026 (excluding the nine months ended January 31, 2026)	$	10,606	$	517
2027	34,914		1,801
2028	30,634		1,483
2029	24,631		434
2030	18,887		159
Thereafter	87,144		40
Total lease payments	206,816		4,434
Less: imputed interest	44,765		292
Total	$	162,051	$	4,142

13. Subsequent Events

Quarterly Dividend Declaration

On March 5, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") approved an increase to the Company's quarterly dividend policy and declared a cash dividend of $0.55 per share with a payment date of April 15, 2026 to holders of the Company’s common stock of record at the close of business on March 27, 2026. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend policy will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, the terms of the Company’s indebtedness and other factors that the Board may deem to be relevant. The Board may amend, revoke, or suspend the dividend policy at any time and for any reason.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals, including the timing and anticipated impacts of our business strategy, expected demand for and relevance of our products and services, and expected results of our business diversification strategy, are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results or outcomes, or the timing of our results or outcomes, to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance, results, outcomes and timing and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to global and local political and or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, such as inflation, trade wars, global slowdowns, or recessions, competition, geopolitical tensions, shifts in global trade patterns, changes in demand for our services as a result of automation, dependence on and costs of attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, impact of inflationary pressures on our profitability, maintaining our relationships with customers and suppliers and retaining key employees, maintaining our brand name and professional reputation, potential legal liability and regulatory developments, portability of client relationships, consolidation of or within the industries we serve, changes and developments in governmental laws and regulations, evolving investor and customer expectations with regard to corporate responsibility matters, currency fluctuations in our international operations, risks related to growth, alignment of our cost structure, including as a result of workforce, real estate, and other restructuring initiatives, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, reliance on information processing systems, cyber security vulnerabilities or events, changes to data security, data privacy, and data protection laws, dependence on third parties for the execution of critical functions, limited protection of our intellectual property (“IP”), our ability to enhance and develop new technology, including artificial intelligence (“AI”), our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problems, employment liability risk, an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, the impact of treaties or regulations on our business and our Company, deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use, our ability to develop new products and services, changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions, the utilization and billing rates of our consultants, seasonality, the use of social media platforms, the ability to effect acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses, resulting organizational changes, our indebtedness, the ultimate magnitude and duration of any future pandemics or similar outbreaks, and related restrictions and operational requirements that apply to our business and the businesses of our clients, and any related negative impacts on our business, employees, customers and our ability to provide services in affected regions, and the matters disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Exchange Act reports, including Item 1A included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025 (the “Form 10-K”). Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We also make available on the Investor Relations portion of our website earnings slides and other important information, which we encourage you to review.

Executive Summary

Korn Ferry (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first-person notations “we,” “our” and “us”) is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We help unlock the potential in people and unleash transformation across organizations—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most admired companies across every major industry turn to us—for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

As client needs have grown more complex, Korn Ferry has expanded its capabilities and become a comprehensive partner for talent and organizational performance. Today, we deliver a broad range of offerings across the talent lifecycle, combining deep expertise with scalable delivery models to meet the needs of organizations at every stage of growth. Our talent, industry expertise, global reach, and specialized solutions come together to solve our clients’ toughest performance challenges. We pair this with 10 billion data points, behavioral science, and powerful IP—our Foundational Assets. These assets support a broad set of Capabilities and power Integrated Solutions designed to keep pace with change.

Our Capabilities span the full talent lifecycle and are built on the strength of our Foundational Assets. Our Capabilities consist of the following:

•Organizational Strategy - Aligning people, processes, and structure to support business goals through organizational design, role clarity, and operating model optimization.

•Assessment & Succession - Evaluating individual potential and readiness to guide hiring, promotion, mobility and succession decisions.

•Talent Acquisition - Sourcing and hiring top talent across all levels via executive search, professional recruiting, interim talent, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing ("RPO").

•Leadership & Professional Development - Developing leaders and building critical skills through coaching, experiential learning programs, and scalable digital programs.

•Total Rewards - Designing compensation, benefits, and recognition programs that drive performance and reflect business priorities.

•Board and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Services - Advising boards and CEOs on leadership transitions, governance, and long-term planning.

Korn Ferry serves clients through a combination of strategic account partnerships and flexible engagement models designed to meet organizations where they are. At the center of this model is our Marquee and Diamond Accounts Program (the “Program”)—a structured approach to managing long-term relationships with many of the world’s most complex organizations.

Clients within the Program are supported by dedicated account leaders who coordinate engagement across Korn Ferry’s full portfolio—enabling consistent delivery, deep understanding of client priorities, and early access to new offerings. As of January 31, 2026, our 350 Marquee and Diamond accounts represented approximately 40% of consolidated fee revenue—more than double their contribution at the Program’s inception.

Korn Ferry delivers services through five Solution areas. The Solution areas reflect the breadth of our talent and organizational offerings and correspond to eight reportable segments supported by centralized functions that drive consistency, innovation, and scale. These segments represent how we currently organize and deliver our work to the market, enabling us to deliver specialized expertise at scale while remaining agile in response to evolving client needs and together, these areas comprise eight reportable segments. The five Solution areas are the following:

1.Consulting helps clients design and implement the talent strategies, organizational structures, and workforce capabilities and rewards to drive growth. Our consulting teams collaborate across Korn Ferry to deliver integrated solutions that support end-to-end transformation—from strategy through execution.

2.Digital leads the development, integration and commercialization of products in the Korn Ferry Talent Suite, as well as enabling technology across Korn Ferry's other Solution areas. Built on decades of proprietary data, IP, behavioral science, and talent intelligence, these tools empower data-driven decision-making and provide real-time access to benchmarks, assessments, talent development, rewards, and diagnostics across the talent lifecycle. They are leveraged in multiple ways: by consultants within service delivery, as embedded components of Integrated Solutions, or accessed directly by clients through subscription- and license-based models.

3.Executive Search delivers industry-leading executive recruitment across global markets, powered by decades of expertise and deep industry/sector specialization, and our own top-tier executive search professionals. We help organizations recruit board-level, C-suite, and senior executive talent, using proprietary assessments, leadership benchmarks, and deep functional insight to identify leaders who align with strategy, culture and long-term priorities. This solution is managed and reported on a geographic basis and represents four of the Company’s reportable segments (Executive Search North America, Executive Search Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), Executive Search Asia Pacific ("APAC") and Executive Search Latin America).

4.Professional Search & Interim focuses on scalable, high impact recruiting and interim talent solutions at the professional level that offer flexibility and speed in dynamic business environments. We help clients rapidly place permanent professionals and senior/professional interim leaders across business-critical functions such as Finance and Accounting, IT, Human Resources, and Operations.

5.RPO provides high-volume, outsourced hiring solutions that deliver end-to-end talent acquisition services for enterprise clients. These programs are delivered through global Talent Delivery Centers, using a technology enabled platform and are designed and managed to align with each client’s business objectives, leveraging our IP, data, science, and deep talent expertise. Advanced technology and AI-driven tools are used to enhance the platform to drive scale, efficiency, and quality, while offering an engaging experience for candidates throughout the hiring process.

Q3 FY'26 Performance Highlights

•Fee revenue was $717.4 million, an increase of 7% year-over-year with growth in all solutions.

•Net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased 12% year-over-year, with a margin of 9.1%.

•Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% year-over-year, with a margin of 17.2%.

•Diluted earnings per share was up 12% year-over-year.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the chief operating decision maker’s review of 1) fee revenue and 2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset, gain on modification of office lease and other impairments charges). For the three months ended January 31, 2026, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $1.6 million of integration/acquisition costs. For the nine months ended January 31, 2026, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $4.4 million of integration/acquisition costs and $13.9 million of gain on the modification of an office lease. For the three months ended January 31, 2025, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $2.5 million of impairment of right-of-use assets, $2.1 million of integration/acquisition costs, $1.3 million of restructuring charges, net and $0.5 million impairment of fixed assets. For the nine months ended January 31, 2025, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $7.1 million of integration/acquisition costs, $2.5 million of impairment of right-of-use assets, $1.9 million of restructuring charges, net and $0.5 million impairment of fixed assets.

Consolidated and subtotals of Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures and have limitations as analytical tools. They should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. In addition, they may not necessarily be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

Management believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information regarding Korn Ferry’s performance by excluding certain charges, items of income and other items that may not be indicative of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operating results. The use of these non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparisons to Korn Ferry’s historical performance and the identification of operating trends that may otherwise be distorted by the factors discussed above. Korn Ferry includes these non-GAAP financial measures because management believes it is useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making. The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, except that the above noted items are excluded to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA. Management further believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by investors and other interested parties to measure operating performance among companies with different capital structures, effective tax rates and tax attributes and capitalized asset values, all of which can vary substantially from company to company.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of our operations as a percentage of fee revenue:

(Numbers may not total exactly due to rounding)

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,				Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026		2025		2026		2025
Fee revenue	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses	1.1		1.2		1.1		1.2
Total revenue	101.1		101.2		101.1		101.2
Compensation and benefits	63.7		63.6		64.3		65.1
General and administrative expenses	9.2		9.8		8.4		9.4
Reimbursed expenses	1.1		1.2		1.1		1.2
Cost of services	11.2		11.7		11.0		10.4
Depreciation and amortization	3.2		3.1		3.6		3.0
Restructuring charges, net	—		0.2		—		0.1
Other income, net	1.0		1.4		1.3		1.4
Interest expense, net	0.8		0.8		0.7		0.7
Income tax provision	3.8		3.4		3.6		3.5
Net income	9.2	%	8.9	%	9.6	%	9.2	%
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	9.1	%	8.7	%	9.5	%	9.0	%

The following tables summarize the results of our operations:

(Numbers may not total exactly due to rounding)

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,								Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026				2025				2026				2025
	Dollars		%		Dollars		%		Dollars		%		Dollars		%
	(dollars in thousands)
Fee revenue
Consulting	$	166,931	23.3	%	$	158,704	23.7	%	$	509,734	23.7	%	$	493,345	24.4	%
Digital	94,014		13.1		90,823		13.6		274,241		12.8		271,896		13.5
Executive Search:
North America	145,540		20.3		128,264		19.2		427,299		19.9		392,907		19.5
EMEA	55,318		7.7		47,840		7.2		160,999		7.5		140,609		7.0
Asia Pacific	24,073		3.3		21,664		3.2		72,905		3.4		63,707		3.1
Latin America	7,018		1.0		6,803		1.0		20,950		1.0		21,982		1.1
Total Executive Search	231,949		32.3		204,571		30.6		682,153		31.8		619,205		30.7
Professional Search & Interim	137,017		19.1		129,957		19.4		412,017		19.2		372,805		18.5
RPO	87,474		12.2		84,674		12.7		269,552		12.5		260,789		12.9
Total fee revenue	717,385		100.0	%	668,729		100.0	%	2,147,697		100.0	%	2,018,040		100.0	%
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expense	7,657				7,809				22,688				23,219
Total revenue	$	725,042			$	676,538			$	2,170,385			$	2,041,259

In the tables that follow, the Company presents a subtotal for Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA and a single percentage for Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA margin, which reflects the aggregate of all of the individual Executive Search Regions. These figures are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented as they are consistent with the Company’s Solution areas and are financial metrics used by the Company’s investor base.

	Three Months Ended<br>January 31,
	2026				2025
	Consolidated
	(dollar in thousands)
Fee revenue	$	717,385	100.0	%	$	668,729	100.0	%
Total revenue	$	725,042	101.1	%	$	676,538	101.2	%
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	$	65,265	9.1	%	$	58,414	8.7	%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	874		0.1		925		0.1
Interest expense, net	5,663		0.8		5,461		0.8
Income tax provision	26,683		3.8		22,795		3.4
Depreciation and amortization	22,994		3.2		20,490		3.1
Integration/acquisition costs	1,587		0.2		2,127		0.3
Restructuring charges, net	—		—		1,316		0.2
Impairment of fixed assets	—		—		509		0.1
Impairment of right-of-use assets	—		—		2,452		0.4
Adjusted EBITDA	$	123,066	17.2	%	$	114,489	17.1	%			Nine Months Ended<br>January 31,
---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
	2026				2025
	Consolidated
	(dollar in thousands)
Fee revenue	$	2,147,697	100.0	%	$	2,018,040	100.0	%
Total revenue	$	2,170,385	101.1	%	$	2,041,259	101.2	%
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	$	204,300	9.5	%	$	181,818	9.0	%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,695		0.1		4,120		0.2
Interest expense, net	14,942		0.7		15,032		0.7
Income tax provision	78,578		3.6		70,047		3.5
Depreciation and amortization	77,253		3.6		59,756		3.0
Integration/acquisition costs	4,420		0.2		7,099		0.4
Gain on modification of office lease	(13,907)		(0.6)		—		—
Restructuring charges, net	—		—		1,892		0.1
Impairment of fixed assets	—		—		509		0.0
Impairment of right-of-use assets	—		—		2,452		0.1
Adjusted EBITDA	$	368,281	17.1	%	$	342,725	17.0	%

	Three Months Ended January 31,
	2026								2025
	(dollars in thousands)
					Net income<br><br>attributable to<br><br>Korn Ferry		Net income<br><br>attributable to<br><br>Korn Ferry margin						Net income<br><br>attributable to<br><br>Korn Ferry		Net income<br><br>attributable to<br><br>Korn Ferry margin
Consolidated					$	65,265	9.1	%					$	58,414	8.7	%
	Fee revenue		Total revenue		Adjusted EBITDA		Adjusted EBITDA margin		Fee revenue		Total revenue		Adjusted EBITDA		Adjusted EBITDA margin
Consulting	$	166,931	$	170,202	$	28,417	17.0	%	$	158,704	$	161,382	$	28,026	17.7	%
Digital	94,014		94,199		29,099		31.0	%	90,823		90,836		28,408		31.3	%
Executive Search:
North America	145,540		146,784		42,138		29.0	%	128,264		129,889		37,175		29.0	%
EMEA	55,318		55,784		9,459		17.1	%	47,840		48,087		7,845		16.4	%
Asia Pacific	24,073		24,218		5,331		22.1	%	21,664		21,794		4,504		20.8	%
Latin America	7,018		7,026		1,223		17.4	%	6,803		6,807		1,696		24.9	%
Total Executive Search	231,949		233,812		58,151		25.1	%	204,571		206,577		51,220		25.0	%
Professional Search & Interim	137,017		138,188		29,065		21.2	%	129,957		130,854		27,265		21.0	%
RPO	87,474		88,641		13,641		15.6	%	84,674		86,889		12,743		15.0	%
Corporate	—		—		(35,307)				—		—		(33,173)
Consolidated	$	717,385	$	725,042	$	123,066	17.2	%	$	668,729	$	676,538	$	114,489	17.1	%

	Nine Months Ended January 31,
	2026								2025
	(dollars in thousands)
					Net income <br>attributable to <br>Korn Ferry		Net income <br>attributable to <br>Korn Ferry margin						Net income <br>attributable to<br> Korn Ferry		Net income <br>attributable to <br>Korn Ferry margin
Consolidated					$	204,300	9.5	%					$	181,818	9.0	%
	Fee revenue		Total revenue		Adjusted EBITDA		Adjusted EBITDA margin		Fee revenue		Total revenue		Adjusted EBITDA		Adjusted EBITDA margin
Consulting	$	509,734	$	518,831	$	87,490	17.2	%	$	493,345	$	501,533	$	86,426	17.5	%
Digital	274,241		274,681		85,438		31.2	%	271,896		272,085		84,219		31.0	%
Executive Search:
North America	427,299		431,565		125,332		29.3	%	392,907		397,395		109,180		27.8	%
EMEA	160,999		162,077		27,373		17.0	%	140,609		141,495		22,597		16.1	%
Asia Pacific	72,905		73,321		16,185		22.2	%	63,707		64,038		13,154		20.6	%
Latin America	20,950		20,984		4,497		21.5	%	21,982		21,992		7,046		32.1	%
Total Executive Search	682,153		687,947		173,387		25.4	%	619,205		624,920		151,977		24.5	%
Professional Search & Interim	412,017		415,834		87,293		21.2	%	372,805		375,572		80,174		21.5	%
RPO	269,552		273,092		42,203		15.7	%	260,789		267,149		38,136		14.6	%
Corporate	—		—		(107,530)				—		—		(98,207)
Consolidated	$	2,147,697	$	2,170,385	$	368,281	17.1	%	$	2,018,040	$	2,041,259	$	342,725	17.0	%

Three Months Ended January 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended January 31, 2025

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue. Fee revenue was $717.4 million, an increase of $48.7 million, or 7%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $668.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $18.8 million, or 3%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Solutions with the highest increase in fee revenue included Executive Search North America, Executive Search EMEA, Consulting, and Professional Search & Interim.

Consulting. Consulting reported fee revenue of $166.9 million, an increase of $8.2 million, or 5%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $158.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $4.8 million, or 3%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by a 2% increase in average bill rates in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Digital. Digital reported fee revenue of $94.0 million, an increase of $3.2 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026, compared to $90.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $3.7 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by an 8% increase in Subscription & License fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search North America. Executive Search North America reported fee revenue of $145.5 million, an increase of $17.2 million, or 13%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $128.3 million in the year-ago quarter. North America’s fee revenue increased primarily due to a 9% increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) and a 4% increase in the number of engagements billed during the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search EMEA. Executive Search EMEA reported fee revenue of $55.3 million, an increase of $7.5 million, or 16%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $47.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $4.3 million, or 9%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 9% increase in the number of engagements billed, partially offset by a 3% decrease in weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Asia Pacific. Executive Search Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $24.1 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 11%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $21.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $0.2 million, or 1%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 10% increase in the number of engagements billed during the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Latin America. Executive Search Latin America reported fee revenue of $7.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, essentially flat compared to $6.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $0.7 million, or 10%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Professional Search & Interim. Professional Search & Interim reported fee revenue of $137.0 million, an increase of $7.0 million, or 5%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $130.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $2.8 million, or 2%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Permanent placement fee revenue increased by $3.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter due to an increase in both the number of engagements billed and the weighted-average fee billed per engagement. Interim fee revenue increased by $3.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter due to a 16% increase in average bill rate.

RPO. RPO reported fee revenue of $87.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $2.8 million, or 3%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $84.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $2.1 million, or 2%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was primarily due to new logo clients in North America.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased by $31.5 million, or 7%, to $456.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 from $425.3 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $12.2 million, or 3%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase of $18.7 million in performance-related bonus expense due to higher fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Also contributing to the increase were higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $10.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Consulting compensation and benefits expense increased by $4.9 million, or 4%, to $114.4 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 from $109.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $3.8 million, or 3%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase of $5.6 million in performance-related bonus expense in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter driven by higher segment fee revenue.

Digital compensation and benefits expense increased by $2.5 million, or 6%, to $45.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $43.3 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $1.8 million, or 4%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $2.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search North America compensation and benefits expense increased by $11.2 million, or 13%, to $99.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $88.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $11.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter driven by higher segment fee revenue.

Executive Search EMEA compensation and benefits expense increased by $5.7 million, or 16%, to $41.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $35.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $3.3 million, or 9%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $3.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Also contributing to the increase were higher performance-related bonus expense of $1.5 million and higher amortization of long-term awards of $1.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Asia Pacific compensation and benefits expense increased by $1.0 million, or 7%, to $16.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $15.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase of $0.7 million in performance-related bonus expense due to higher fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Also contributing to the increase were higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $0.4 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Latin America compensation and benefits expense increased by $0.7 million, or 18%, to $4.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $4.0 million in the year-ago quarter.

Professional Search & Interim compensation and benefits expense increased by $3.1 million, or 7%, to $48.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 from $45.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $1.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Additionally, there was an increase of $0.6 million in performance-related bonus expense due to a higher segment fee revenue in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

RPO compensation and benefits expense increased by $1.3 million, or 2%, to $65.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $64.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $1.6 million, or 2%, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $0.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased by $1.2 million, or 6%, to $19.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 from $18.6 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to increases of $0.9 million in both salaries and related payroll taxes and restricted stock compensation expense, in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was partially offset by an increase in the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) of $1.0 million as a result of recording more death benefits in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 1%, to $65.9 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 from $65.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in marketing and business development expense of $3.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter, partially offset by impairment charges recorded in the year-ago quarter of $2.6 million associated with the reduction of the Company's real estate footprint.

Consulting general and administrative expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 11%, to $13.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $11.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency, with a foreign currency loss of $0.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to a foreign currency gain of $0.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Also contributing to the increase were higher marketing and business development expenses of $0.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Digital general and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million, or 9%, to $11.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 from $10.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search North America general and administrative expenses decreased by $3.1 million, or 29%, to $7.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $10.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to impairment charges of $2.6 million associated with the reduction of the Company's real estate footprint in the year-ago quarter. Also contributing to the decrease were lower legal and other professional fees of $0.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search EMEA general and administrative expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 5%, to $4.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $4.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Asia Pacific general and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 32%, to $2.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $1.9 million in the year-ago quarter.

Executive Search Latin America general and administrative expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 22%, to $1.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $0.9 million in the year-ago quarter.

Professional Search & Interim general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.4 million, or 7%, to $5.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $5.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

RPO general and administrative expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 5%, to $4.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $4.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased by $0.7 million, or 5%, to $16.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $15.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due an increase in marketing and business development expense of $2.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter, partially offset by lower legal and other professional fees of $0.4 million and the impact of foreign currency, with a foreign currency gain of $0.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to a foreign currency loss of $0.6 million in the year-ago quarter.

Cost of Services Expense

Cost of services expense consists of contractor and product costs related to delivery of various services and products through Consulting, Digital, Professional Search & Interim and RPO. Cost of services expense increased by $2.6 million, or 3%, to $80.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $78.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Professional Search & Interim accounted for $2.0 million of the increase due to an increase in fee revenue in the segment as a significant amount of interim services they performed had a higher cost of service expense as compared to the Company's other segments.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $2.5 million, or 12%, to $23.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $20.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to the accelerated depreciation associated with the previously announced decision to sunset our Digital platform with the replacement of our Korn Ferry Talent Suite combined with technology investments made in the current and prior year in our Digital segment.

Restructuring Charges, Net

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we implemented a restructuring plan to eliminate excess capacity resulting from a challenging macroeconomic business environment impacting demand. During the three months ended January 31, 2025, we recorded an adjustment to the previously recorded restructuring accruals of $1.3 million. There were no restructuring charges during the three months ended January 31, 2026.

Net Income Attributable to Korn Ferry

Net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased by $6.9 million, or 12%, to $65.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 as compared to $58.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in net income attributable to Korn Ferry was primarily due to an increase in fee revenue of $48.7 million during the three months ended January 31, 2026, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense of $31.5 million, income tax provision of $3.9 million, cost of services expense of $2.6 million, and depreciation and amortization expenses of $2.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter. Net income attributable to Korn Ferry, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 9% in both the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $8.6 million, or 8%, to $123.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 as compared to $114.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs), general and administrative expenses (excluding integration/acquisition costs, impairment of right-of-use assets and impairment of fixed assets) and cost of services expense. Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% in both the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Consulting Adjusted EBITDA was $28.4 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $0.4 million, or 1%, compared to $28.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Consulting Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 18% in the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Digital Adjusted EBITDA was $29.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $0.7 million, or 2%, compared to $28.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Digital Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 31% in both the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $4.9 million, or 13%, to $42.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $37.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was mainly driven by higher fee revenue in the segment, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense. Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 29% in both the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.7 million, or 22%, to $9.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $7.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was mainly driven by higher fee revenue in the segment, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense. Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 16% in the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA increased by $0.8 million, or 18%, to $5.3 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $4.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 22% and 21% in the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $0.5 million, or 29%, to $1.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $1.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 25% in the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA was $29.1 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $1.8 million, or 7%, compared to $27.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by higher fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs) and cost of services expense. Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% in both the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

RPO Adjusted EBITDA was $13.6 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $0.9 million, or 7%, as compared to $12.7 million in the year-ago quarter. RPO Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 16% and 15% in the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net was $7.5 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $9.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The difference was primarily due to a decrease in the gains generated from the increase in fair value of our marketable securities that are held in trust for the settlement of the Company's obligations under the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (collectively, "ECAP") during the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago quarter.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net primarily relates to the Company’s 4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 ("Notes") issued in December 2019, borrowings under COLI policies and interest cost related to our deferred compensation plans, which are partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalents balances. Interest expense, net was $5.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $5.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income tax was $26.7 million in the three months ended January 31, 2026, with an effective tax rate of 28.7%, compared to $22.8 million in the three months ended January 31, 2025, with an effective rate of 27.8%. Our effective tax rate is primarily impacted by U.S. state income taxes and jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in the effective tax rate over time.

On July 4, 2025, House Resolution 1, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the "Act") was enacted into law. Key provisions of the Act include the extension and modification of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, changes to bonus depreciation, adjustments to business interest expense limitations, and modifications to the treatment of research and development expenditures. The Act has multiple effective dates, with certain provisions effective in our fiscal 2026 and others becoming effective in fiscal 2027. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, the effect of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recognized in the period when the legislation is enacted. We have reflected the effect on the Act within the provision for income taxes and the deferred tax balances as of January 31, 2026. The Act did not materially impact our effective tax rate.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the portion of a subsidiary’s net earnings that are attributable to shares of such subsidiary not held by Korn Ferry that are included in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest was $0.9 million in both the three months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Nine Months Ended January 31, 2026 Compared to Nine Months Ended January 31, 2025

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue. Fee revenue was $2,147.7 million, an increase of $129.7 million, or 6%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $2,018.0 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $33.0 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was primarily due to higher fee revenues in Professional Search & Interim, Executive Search North America, Executive Search EMEA and Consulting.

Consulting. Consulting reported fee revenue of $509.7 million, an increase of $16.4 million, or 3%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $493.3 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $8.9 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by a 7% increase in average bill rates in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Digital. Digital reported fee revenue of $274.2 million, an increase of $2.3 million, or 1%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $271.9 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $6.5 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by a 7% increase in Subscription & License fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search North America. Executive Search North America reported fee revenue of $427.3 million, an increase of $34.4 million, or 9%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $392.9 million in the year-ago period. North America’s fee revenue increased primarily due to a 5% increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) and a 3% increase in the number of engagements billed during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search EMEA. Executive Search EMEA reported fee revenue of $161.0 million, an increase of $20.4 million, or 15%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $140.6 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $8.7 million, or 6%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was primarily due to a 10% increase in the number of engagements billed, partially offset by a 2% decrease in weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search Asia Pacific. Executive Search Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $72.9 million, an increase of $9.2 million, or 14%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $63.7 million in the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was primarily due to a 10% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 3% increase in weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search Latin America. Executive Search Latin America reported fee revenue of $21.0 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 5%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $22.0 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to a 3% decrease in the number of engagements billed and a 2% decrease in weighted-average fee billed per engagement during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Professional Search & Interim. Professional Search & Interim reported fee revenue of $412.0 million, an increase of $39.2 million, or 11%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $372.8 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $3.8 million, or 1%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Interim fee revenue increased by $29.5 million primarily due to the acquisition of Trilogy International effective November 1, 2024. The rest of the increase was due to higher fee revenue in Permanent placement of $9.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period due to an increase in both the number of engagements billed and the weighted-average fee billed per engagement.

RPO. RPO reported fee revenue of $269.6 million, an increase of $8.8 million, or 3%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $260.8 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $4.3 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was primarily due to new logo clients in North America.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased by $65.8 million, or 5%, to $1,380.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $1,314.5 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $22.7 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase in salaries and related payroll taxes of $23.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Also contributing to the increase were higher performance-related bonus expense, severance-related expenses, amortization of long-term awards and deferred compensation expense of $15.6 million, $14.6 million, $5.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Consulting compensation and benefits expense increased by $12.2 million, or 4%, to $350.1 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $337.9 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $7.3 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to increases of $9.4 million in performance-related bonus expense and higher severance-related costs of $4.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $2.5 million in salaries and related payroll taxes in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Digital compensation and benefits expense increased by $1.2 million, or 1%, to $135.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $134.2 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $3.2 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to increases in salaries and related payroll taxes, severance-related expenses, commission expense, deferred compensation expense and restricted stock compensation expense of $4.1 million, $3.6 million, $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $8.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search North America compensation and benefits expense increased by $19.3 million, or 7%, to $296.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $276.7 million in the year-ago period. Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $17.2 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search EMEA compensation and benefits expense increased by $14.9 million, or 14%, to $120.1 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $105.2 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $6.8 million, or 6%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to an increase of $7.2 million in salaries and related payroll taxes, coupled with increases in performance-related bonus expense of $6.4 million and amortization of long-term incentive awards of $2.2 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search Asia Pacific compensation and benefits expense increased by $4.6 million, or 10%, to $49.8 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $45.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $4.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search Latin America compensation and benefits expense increased by $0.4 million, or 3%, to $13.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $13.3 million in the year-ago period.

Professional Search & Interim compensation and benefits expense increased by $6.3 million, or 4%, to $151.1 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $144.8 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $1.5 million, or 1%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase in salaries and related payroll taxes of $6.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Also contributing to the increase were higher severance-related expenses of $3.1 million and increases in commission expense, amortization of long-term awards, deferred compensation expense and integration & acquisition costs of $1.9 million, $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $7.7 million in performance-related bonus expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

RPO compensation and benefits expense increased by $2.7 million, or 1%, to $203.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $200.9 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $3.3 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to increases in salaries and related payroll taxes, severance-related expenses, and the use of outside contractors of $2.9 million, $2.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $4.8 million in performance-related bonus expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased by $4.0 million, or 7%, to $60.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $56.3 million in the year-ago period. The increase was primarily due to increases of $2.6 million in restricted stock compensation expense and $1.7 million in salaries and related payroll taxes in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased by $9.8 million, or 5%, to $180.1 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $189.9 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a gain from the modification of an office lease of $13.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Further contributing to the decrease was impairment charges of $3.0 million associated primarily with the reduction of the Company's real estate footprint in the year-ago period. The decrease was partially offset by increases in marketing and business development expenses and computer software licenses of $3.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Consulting general and administrative expenses decreased by $2.9 million, or 8%, to $35.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $38.3 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a gain from the modification of an office lease of $4.1 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in marketing and business development expenses of $1.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Digital general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.2 million, or 1%, to $29.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $29.6 million in the year-ago period.

Executive Search North America general and administrative expenses decreased by $5.0 million, or 19%, to $21.8 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $26.8 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to impairment charges of $2.6 million associated with the reduction of the Company's real estate footprint in the year-ago period. Also contributing to the decrease were lower legal and other professional fees of $2.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search EMEA general and administrative expenses decreased by $3.0 million, or 24%, to $9.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 from $12.7 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a gain from the modification of an office lease of $3.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026.

Executive Search Asia Pacific general and administrative expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 24%, to $6.8 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $5.5 million in the year-ago period. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase of $1.0 million in bad debt expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Executive Search Latin America general and administrative expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 71%, to $2.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $1.7 million in the year-ago period. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency, with a foreign currency loss of $0.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to a foreign currency gain of $1.0 million in the year-ago period.

Professional Search & Interim general and administrative expenses decreased by $2.4 million, or 16%, to $12.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $14.7 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a gain from the modification of an office lease of $2.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026.

RPO general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.2 million, or 9%, to $12.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $13.6 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a gain from the modification of an office lease of $1.5 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased by $2.4 million, or 5%, to $49.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $47.0 million in the year-ago period. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increases in marketing and business development expenses and legal and other professional fees of $3.2 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. These increases were partially offset by decreases in integration and acquisition costs and foreign exchange loss of $2.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Cost of Services Expense

Cost of services expense consists of contractor and product costs related to delivery of various services and products through Consulting, Digital, Professional Search & Interim and RPO. Cost of services expense increased by $26.7 million, or 13%, to $236.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $210.2 million in the year-ago period. Professional Search & Interim accounted for $25.4 million of the increase due to an increase in fee revenue in the segment as a significant amount of interim services performed had a higher cost of service expense as compared to the Company's other segments.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $77.3 million, an increase of $17.5 million, or 29%, in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $59.8 million in the year-ago period. The increase was primarily due to the accelerated depreciation associated with the decision to sunset our Digital platform with the replacement of our Korn Ferry Talent Suite combined with technology investments made in the current and prior year in our Digital segment.

Restructuring Charges, Net

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we implemented a plan intended to eliminate excess capacity resulting from a challenging macroeconomic business environment impacting demand. During the nine months ended January 31, 2025, we recorded an adjustment to the previously recorded restructuring accruals of $1.9 million. There were no restructuring charges during the nine months ended January 31, 2026.

Net Income Attributable to Korn Ferry

Net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased by $22.5 million, or 12%, to $204.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $181.8 million in the year-ago period. The increase in net income attributable to Korn Ferry was primarily due to an increase in fee revenue of $129.7 million and a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $9.8 million, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense of $65.8 million, cost of services expense of $26.7 million, depreciation and amortization expenses of $17.5 million and income tax provision of $8.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Net income attributable to Korn Ferry, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 10% and 9% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $368.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $25.6 million, or 7%, as compared to $342.7 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefit expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs), cost of services expense and general and administrative expenses (excluding gain from the modification of an office lease, integration/acquisition costs, impairment of right-of-use assets and impairment of fixed assets). Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% in both the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Consulting Adjusted EBITDA was $87.5 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $1.1 million, or 1%, as compared to $86.4 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense and cost of services expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Consulting Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 18% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Digital Adjusted EBITDA was $85.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $1.2 million, or 1%, as compared to $84.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue and a decrease in cost of services expense, partially offset by increases in general and administrative expense (excluding gain from the modification of an office lease and impairment of fixed assets) and compensation and benefits expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Digital Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 31% in both the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025.

Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $16.1 million, or 15%, to $125.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $109.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 29% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 as compared to 28% in the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA increased by $4.8 million, or 21%, to $27.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $22.6 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by higher compensation and benefits expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 as compared to 16% in the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA increased by $3.0 million, or 23%, to $16.2 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $13.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 22% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 as compared to 21% in the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.5 million, or 36%, to $4.5 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $7.0 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in general and administrative expenses, coupled with a decrease in fee revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 as compared to 32% in the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA was $87.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $7.1 million, or 9%, as compared to $80.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in cost of services expense and compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs). Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to 22% in the year-ago period.

RPO Adjusted EBITDA was $42.2 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026, an increase of $4.1 million, or 11%, as compared to $38.1 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense and cost of services expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period. RPO Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 16% in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to 15% in the year-ago period.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net was $27.3 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $29.3 million in the year-ago period. The difference was primarily due to a decrease in the gains generated from the increase in fair value of our marketable securities that are held in trust for the settlement of the Company's obligations under the ECAP during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net primarily relates to the Company's Notes issued in December 2019, borrowings under COLI policies and interest cost related to our deferred compensation plans, which are partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalents balances. Interest expense, net was $14.9 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $15.0 million in the year-ago period.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income tax was $78.6 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026, with an effective tax rate of 27.5%, compared to $70.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2025, with an effective rate of 27.4%. Our effective tax rate is primarily impacted by U.S. state income taxes and jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in the effective tax rate over time.

On July 4, 2025, the Act was enacted into law. Key provisions of the Act include the extension and modification of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, changes to bonus depreciation, adjustments to business interest expense limitations, and modifications to the treatment of research and development expenditures. The Act has multiple effective dates, with certain provisions effective in the our fiscal 2026 and others becoming effective in fiscal 2027. In accordance with ASC 740, the effect of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recognized in the period when the legislation is enacted. We have reflected the effect on the Act within the provision for income taxes and the deferred tax balances as of January 31, 2026. The Act did not materially impact our effective tax rate.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the portion of a subsidiary’s net earnings that are attributable to shares of such subsidiary not held by Korn Ferry that are included in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended January 31, 2026 was $2.7 million, compared to $4.1 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company and its Board of Directors (the "Board") endorse a balanced approach to capital allocation. The Company’s long-term priority is to invest in growth initiatives, such as the hiring of consultants, the continued development of IP and derivative products and services and the investment in synergistic, accretive merger and acquisition transactions that are expected to earn a return that is superior to the Company's cost of capital. Next, the Company’s capital allocation approach contemplates the return of a portion of excess capital to stockholders, in the form of a regular quarterly dividend, subject to the factors discussed below and in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 10-K. Additionally, the Company considers share repurchases on an opportunistic basis and subject to the terms of our Credit Agreement (defined below) and Notes, as well as using excess cash to repay the Notes.

On December 16, 2019, we completed a private placement of the Notes with a $400.0 million principal amount pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes were issued with a $4.5 million discount and will mature December 15, 2027, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, that commenced on June 15, 2020. The Notes represent senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. We may redeem the Notes prior to maturity, subject to certain limitations and premiums defined in the indenture governing the Notes. The Notes are guaranteed by each of our existing and future wholly owned domestic subsidiaries to the extent such subsidiaries guarantee our obligations under the Credit Agreement (defined below). The indenture governing the Notes requires that, upon the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline (each as defined in the indenture), we shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, and accrued and unpaid interest. As of January 31, 2026, the fair value of the Notes was $400.0 million, which is based on borrowing rates currently required of notes with similar terms, maturity and credit risk.

On July 1, 2025, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent and other lender parties thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for an $850.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”). The Credit Agreement also provides that, under certain circumstances, we may incur term loans or increase the aggregate principal amount of revolving commitments by an aggregate amount of up to $600.0 million plus an unlimited amount subject to a consolidated secured net leverage ratio of 3.25 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement replaced a previous credit agreement dated as of December 16, 2019 (as amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified, the “Prior Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, National Association as administrative agent and other lenders party thereto. We repaid all outstanding obligations under the Prior Credit Agreement, and expenses and fees in connection therewith. See Note 11 — Long-Term Debt for a further description of the Credit Agreement. The Company had a total of $845.6 million available under the Facility and $645.6 million available under the Prior Credit Agreement as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively, after $4.4 million of standby letters of credit were issued as of both January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025. The Company had a total of $15.1 million and $13.1 million of standby letters with other financial institutions as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. The standby letters of credit were generally issued as a result of entering into office premise leases.

On December 8, 2014, the Board adopted a dividend policy to distribute to our stockholders a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. Every quarter since the adoption of the dividend policy, the Company has declared a quarterly dividend. On June 21, 2021 and 2022, the Board increased the quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share and $0.15 per share, respectively. On June 26, 2023, the Board approved an increase of 20% in the quarterly dividend, which increased the quarterly dividend to $0.18 per share. On December 5, 2023, the Board approved an increase of 83% in the quarterly dividend, which increased the quarterly dividend to $0.33 per share. On June 12, 2024, the Board approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.37 per share. On March 10, 2025, the Board approved a further increase of 30% in the quarterly dividend, which increased the quarterly dividend to $0.48 per share. On March 5, 2026, the Board approved a 15% increase in the quarterly dividend, which increased the quarterly dividend to $0.55 per share. The Credit Agreement permits us to pay dividends to our stockholders and make share repurchases so long as there is no default under the Credit Agreement, our total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Credit Agreement, the “consolidated net leverage ratio”) is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00, and we are in pro forma compliance with our financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a consolidated secured net leverage ratio of not greater than 3.75 to 1.00 (which may be temporarily increased to 4.25 following certain material acquisitions under certain circumstances) (the "Financial Covenant"). Furthermore, our Notes allow us to pay $25.0 million of dividends per fiscal year with no restrictions plus an unlimited amount of dividends so long as our consolidated total leverage ratio is not greater than 3.50 to 1.00, and there is no default under the indenture governing the Notes. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend program will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend upon many factors, including our earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, the terms of our indebtedness and other factors our Board may deem to be relevant. Our Board may, however, amend, revoke or suspend our dividend policy at any time and for any reason.

On September 18, 2025, our Board approved an increase to the share repurchase program of $250.0 million, which at the time brought our available capacity to repurchase shares in the open market or privately negotiated transactions to $331.4 million. The Company repurchased approximately $37.2 million and $74.0 million of the Company’s stock during the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. As of January 31, 2026, $306.6 million remained available for common stock repurchases under our share repurchase program. Any decision to continue to execute our currently outstanding share repurchase program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by our Board.

Our primary source of liquidity is the fee revenue generated from our operations, supplemented by our borrowing capacity under our Credit Agreement. Our performance is subject to the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and the industries we service. We believe, based on current economic conditions, that our cash on hand and funds from operations and the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate requirements, debt repayments, share repurchases and dividend payments under our dividend policy during the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. However, if the national or global economy, credit market conditions and/or labor markets were to deteriorate in the future, including as a result of ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty due to inflation and a potential recession, such changes have and could put further negative pressure on demand for our services and affect our operating cash flows. If these conditions were to persist over an extended period of time, we may incur negative cash flows and it might require us to access additional borrowings under the Credit Agreement to meet our capital needs and/or discontinue our share repurchases and dividend policy.

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $1,218.5 million and $1,277.0 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. Net of amounts held in trust for deferred compensation plans and accrued bonuses, cash and marketable securities were $685.5 million and $667.3 million at January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, we held $426.2 million and $405.2 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents in foreign locations, net of amounts held in trust for deferred compensation plans and to pay accrued bonuses. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. Marketable securities consist of mutual funds and may include investments in commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities. The primary objectives of our investment in mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities are available for general corporate purposes.

As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, marketable securities of $280.1 million and $270.0 million, respectively, included equity securities of $238.0 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $39.6 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.9 million) and $230.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $27.7 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.6 million), respectively, and were held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans, of which $223.5 million and $218.0 million, respectively, are classified as non-current. These marketable securities were held to satisfy vested obligations totaling $220.0 million and $205.3 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $18.8 million and $19.5 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively.

Our working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was $898.9 million as of January 31, 2026 and $794.5 million as of April 30, 2025. The net increase in our working capital of $104.4 million as of January 31, 2026 compared to April 30, 2025 was primarily attributable to a decrease in compensation and benefits payable, as well as increases in accounts receivable and income taxes and other receivables. These changes were partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. The decrease in compensation and benefits payable and cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to payments of annual bonuses earned in fiscal 2025 and paid during the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The increase in accounts receivable was due to an increase in days of sales outstanding, which went from 58 days to 67 days (which is consistent with historical experience). Income taxes and other receivables increased primarily due to large tax payments made in fiscal 2026 and lease incentives we expect to receive within a year due to the modification of an office lease that we entered into in the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Cash provided by operating activities was $117.5 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $108.5 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Cash used in investing activities was $73.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $112.7 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2025. The decrease from cash used in investing activities was primarily due to $44.4 million in cash paid for the acquisition of Trilogy International during the nine months ended January 31, 2025.

Cash used in financing activities was $131.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to $146.4 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2025. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to lower repurchases of the Company’s common stock of $36.3 million, partially offset by an increase in dividends paid to stockholders of $17.8 million and higher payments of tax withholding on restricted stock of $2.0 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2026 compared to the year-ago period.

Cash Surrender Value of Company-Owned Life Insurance Policies, Net of Loans

We purchased COLI policies or contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of funding benefits under such plans. As of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, we held contracts with gross cash surrender value of $358.1 million and $325.5 million, respectively. Total outstanding borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts was $72.6 million and $72.8 million as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively. Such borrowings do not require annual principal repayments, bear interest primarily at variable rates and are secured by the CSV of COLI contracts. At January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, the net cash surrender value of these policies was $285.5 million and $252.6 million, respectively.

Other than the factors discussed in this section, we are not aware of any other trends, demands or commitments that would materially affect liquidity or those that relate to our resources as of January 31, 2026.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements and have not entered into any transactions involving unconsolidated, special purpose entities. We had no material changes in contractual obligations as of January 31, 2026, as compared to those disclosed in our table of contractual obligations included in our Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies

Preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions and changes in the estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed or determinable. In preparing our interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances, we apply our accounting policies as disclosed in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements and in our Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies since the end of fiscal 2025.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a result of our global operating activities, we are exposed to certain market risks, including foreign currency exchange fluctuations and fluctuations in interest rates. We manage our exposure to these risks in the normal course of our business as described below.

Foreign Currency Risk

Substantially all our foreign subsidiaries’ operations are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of each reporting period and revenue and expenses are translated at daily rates of exchange during the reporting period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting entity’s functional currency may give rise to foreign currency gains or losses that impact our results of operations. Historically, we have not realized significant foreign currency gains or losses on such transactions. During the nine months ended January 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded foreign currency losses of $3.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates is primarily driven by fluctuations involving most major global currencies. Based on the ten largest exposure balances as of January 31, 2026, by notional value (including the U.S. Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Pound Sterling, Euro, Singapore Dollar), a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these currencies could result in a foreign exchange gain or loss of $17.8 million. We have a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures. These foreign currency forward contracts are neither used for trading purposes nor are they designated as hedging instruments pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk is limited to our Facility, borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts and to a lesser extent our fixed income debt securities. As of January 31, 2026, there were no amounts outstanding under the Facility. At our option, loans issued under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable interest rate margin. The interest rate applicable to loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement may fluctuate between Term SOFR, plus 1.125% per annum to 2.00% per annum, in the case of Term SOFR borrowings (or between the alternate base rate plus 0.125% per annum and the alternate base rate plus 1.00% per annum, in the alternative), based upon our total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Credit Agreement, the “consolidated net leverage ratio”) at such time. In addition, we are required to pay the lenders a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.300% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Facility, based upon our consolidated net leverage ratio at such time, and fees relating to the issuance of letters of credit.

We had $72.6 million and $72.8 million of borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts as of January 31, 2026 and April 30, 2025, respectively, bearing interest primarily at variable rates. We have sought to minimize the risk of fluctuations in these variable rates by the fact that we receive a corresponding adjustment to our borrowed funds crediting rate, which has the effect of increasing the CSV on our COLI contracts.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures conducted as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) were effective as of January 31, 2026.

b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended January 31, 2026 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in litigation both as a plaintiff and a defendant, relating to claims arising out of our operations. As of the date of this report, we are not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In our Form 10-K, we described the material factors, events, and uncertainties that make an investment in our securities risky. Those risk factors should be considered carefully, together with all other information in that Form 10-K and our subsequent filings with the SEC. It does not address all of the risks that we face, and additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also arise and impair our business operations. As of the date of this report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by us during the quarter ended January 31, 2026:

	Total Number of Shares<br><br>Purchased (1)	Average<br>Price Paid<br>Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased<br>as Part of Publicly-<br>Announced<br>Programs	Approximate Dollar<br><br>Value of Shares<br><br>That May Yet be<br><br>Purchased Under<br><br>the Programs (2)
November 1, 2025—November 30, 2025	98,320	$	64.71	98,320	$319.5 million
December 1, 2025—December 31, 2025	91,438	$	67.64	91,000	$313.3 million
January 1, 2026—January 31, 2026	100,000	$	67.56	100,000	$306.6 million
Total	289,758	$	66.62	289,320

_________________________

(1)Represents withholding of 438 shares to cover taxes on vested restricted shares, in addition to shares purchased as part of a publicly announced program.

(2)On September 18, 2025, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the share repurchase program of $250 million. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. We repurchased approximately $19.3 million of the Company’s common stock under the program during the third quarter of fiscal 2026.

The Credit Agreement permits us to pay dividends to our stockholders and make share repurchases so long as there is no default under the Credit Agreement, the Company's total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Credit Agreement, the "consolidated net leverage ratio") is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00, and we are in pro forma compliance with the Financial Covenant. Furthermore, our Notes allow the Company to pay $25.0 million of dividends per fiscal year with no restrictions plus an unlimited amount of dividends so long as the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio is not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and the Company is not in default under the indenture governing the Notes.

Item 5. Other Information

(a) None

(b) Not applicable

(c) Trading Plans

Our directors and Section 16 officers may from time to time enter into plans or other arrangements for the purchase or sale of our shares that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or may represent a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement under the Exchange Act. During the quarter ended January 31, 2026, no director or Section 16 officer adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (in each case, as defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K).

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit<br>Number	Description
3.1*	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated January 7, 2019, filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 11, 2019.
3.2*	Eighth Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective May 26, 2023, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K, filed May 30, 2023.
3.3*	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporate of the Company dated September 18, 2025, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, filed September 23, 2025.
10.1+	Korn Ferry Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, effective January 1, 2026.
31.1	Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
31.2	Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
32.1	Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104	The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2026, has been formatted in Inline XBRL and included as Exhibit 101.

_________________________

*    Incorporated herein by reference.

+    Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	Korn Ferry
Date: March 11, 2026
	By:	/s/ Robert P. Rozek
		Robert P. Rozek
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Corporate Officer<br>(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

49

Document

EXHIBIT 10.1

Korn Ferry Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The following constitute the provisions of the Korn Ferry Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”). This amendment and restatement of the Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on June 11, 2025, effective for the Offering Period commencing January 1, 2026.

1.Purpose

The purpose of this Plan is to assist Eligible Employees in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Corporation, at a favorable price and upon favorable terms, pursuant to a plan which is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. This Plan is also intended to encourage Eligible Employees to remain in the employ of the Corporation (or a Subsidiary which may be designated by the Committee as “Participating Subsidiary”) and to provide them with an additional incentive to advance the best interests of the Corporation.

2.Definitions

Capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined shall have the following meanings.

“Account” means the bookkeeping account maintained by the Corporation, or by a recordkeeper on behalf of the Corporation, for a Participant pursuant to Section 7(a).

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Committee” means the committee appointed by the Board to administer this Plan pursuant to Section 12.

“Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, and such other securities or property as may become the subject of Options pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 17.

“Company” means, collectively, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (if any).

“Compensation” means an Eligible Employee’s regular gross pay. Compensation includes any amounts contributed as salary reduction contributions to a plan qualifying under Section 401(k), 125 or 129 of the Code. Any other form of remuneration is excluded from Compensation, including (but not limited to) the following: bonuses (including sign-on and continuation bonuses), overtime payments, commissions, prizes, awards, relocation or housing

allowances, stock option exercises, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock grants, restricted stock units, performance awards, any other compensatory equity awards, auto allowances, tuition reimbursement and other forms of imputed income, incentive compensation, special payments, fees and allowances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Compensation shall not include any amounts deferred under or paid from any nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company.

“Contributions” means all bookkeeping amounts credited to the Account of a Participant pursuant to Section 7(a).

“Corporation” means Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation, and its successors.

“Effective Date” means October 1, 2003, the date designated by the Board upon its initial adoption of this Plan or any future date as of which the Board amends the Plan in a manner that requires approval of the Corporation’s stockholders, as the context shall require.

“Eligible Employee” means any employee of the Corporation, or of any Subsidiary which has been designated in writing by the Committee as a “Participating Subsidiary” (including any Subsidiaries which have become such after the date that this Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Corporation). Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Employee” shall not include any employee:

(a)    who has been employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary for less than six months; or

(b)    whose customary employment is for 20 hours or less per week.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

“Exercise Date” means, with respect to an Offering Period, the last day of that Offering Period.

“Fair Market Value” on any date means:

(a)    if the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trade on the New York Stock Exchange or on another national securities exchange, the closing price of a Share on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange on such date, or, if there is no trading of the Common Stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange on such date, then the closing price of a Share as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange on the next preceding date on which there was trading in the Shares;

(b)    if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the value as established by the Committee at such time for purposes of this Plan.

“Grant Date” means the first day of each Offering Period, as determined by the Committee and announced to potential Eligible Employees.

“Offering Period” means the six-consecutive month period commencing on each Grant Date; provided, however, that the Committee may declare, as it deems appropriate and in advance of the applicable Offering Period, a shorter (not to be less than three months) Offering Period or a longer (not to exceed 27 months) Offering Period; provided further that the Grant Date for an Offering Period may not occur on or before the Exercise Date for the immediately preceding Offering Period.

“Option” means the stock option to acquire Shares granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.

“Option Price” means the per share exercise price of an Option as determined in accordance with Section 8(b).

“Participant” means an Eligible Employee who has elected to participate in this Plan and who has filed a valid and effective Subscription Agreement to make Contributions pursuant to Section 6.

“Plan” means this Korn Ferry Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended from time to time.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 as promulgated by the Securities Exchange Commission under Section 16, as amended from time to time.

“Share” means a share of Common Stock.

“Subscription Agreement” means the written agreement filed by an Eligible Employee with the Corporation pursuant to Section 6 to participate in this Plan.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations (beginning with the Corporation) in which each corporation (other than the last corporation) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one or more of the other corporations in the chain.

3.Eligibility

Any person employed as an Eligible Employee as of a Grant Date shall be eligible to participate in this Plan during the Offering Period in which such Grant Date occurs, subject to the Eligible Employee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.

4.Stock Subject to this Plan; Share Limitations

(a)Subject to the provisions of Section 17, the capital stock that may be delivered under this Plan will be shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Common Stock and any of its shares of Common Stock held as treasury shares. The maximum number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Options granted under this Plan is 4,500,000 Shares, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 17 (the “Plan Limit”). For the avoidance of doubt, any Shares that are subject to Options that are not for whatever reason actually delivered pursuant to a purchase of such Shares shall remain available for delivery under this Plan and shall not count against the Plan Limit.

In the event that all of the Shares made available under this Plan are subscribed prior to the expiration of this Plan, this Plan shall terminate at the end of that Offering Period and the Shares available shall be allocated for purchase by Participants in that Offering Period on a pro-rata basis determined with respect to Participants’ Account balances.

(b)The maximum number of Shares that any one individual may acquire upon exercise of his or her Option with respect to any one Offering Period is 5,000, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 17 (the “Individual Limit”); provided, however, that the Committee may amend such Individual Limit, effective no earlier than the first Offering Period commencing after the adoption of such amendment, without stockholder approval. The Individual Limit shall be proportionately adjusted for any Offering Period of less than six months, and may, at the discretion of the Committee, be proportionately increased for any Offering Period of greater than six months.

5.Offering Periods

During the term of this Plan, the Corporation will grant Options to purchase Shares in each Offering Period to all Participants in that Offering Period. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee in advance of the Offering Period, an Offering Period that commences on or about July 1 will end the following December 31 and an Offering Period that commences on or about January 1 will end the following June 30. Each Option shall become effective on the Grant Date. The term of each Option shall be the duration of the related Offering Period and shall end on the Exercise Date. The first Offering Period shall commence as of a date determined by the Board or Committee. Offering Periods shall continue until this Plan is terminated in accordance with Section 18 or 19, or, if earlier, until no Shares remain available for Options pursuant to Section 4.

6.Participation

(a)An Eligible Employee may become a participant in this Plan by completing a Subscription Agreement on a form approved by and in a manner prescribed by the Committee (or its delegate). To become effective, a Subscription Agreement must be signed by the Eligible Employee and filed with the Corporation at the time specified by the Committee, but in all cases prior to the start of the Offering Period with respect to which it is to become effective, and must set forth a whole percentage (or, if the Committee so provides, a stated amount) of the Eligible

Employee’s Compensation to be credited to the Participant’s Account as Contributions each pay period.

(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant’s Contribution election shall be subject to the following limitations:

(i)the 5% ownership and the $25,000 annual purchase limitations set forth in Section 8(c);

(ii)a Participant may not elect to contribute more than fifteen percent (15%) of his or her Compensation each pay period as Plan Contributions, provided, however, that the Committee shall have discretion to establish a higher contribution percentage limit for any Offering Period that is less than six (6) months; and

(iii)such other limits, rules, or procedures as the Committee may prescribe.

(c)Subscription Agreements shall contain the Eligible Employee’s authorization and consent to the Corporation’s withholding from his or her Compensation the amount of his or her Contributions. Subscription Agreements shall remain in effect for subsequent Offering Periods until (i) the Eligible Employee’s participation terminates pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) the Eligible Employee files a new Subscription Agreement that becomes effective, or (iii) the Committee requires that a new Subscription Agreement be executed and filed with the Corporation.

7.Method of Payment of Contributions

(a)The Corporation shall maintain on its books, or cause to be maintained by a recordkeeper, an Account in the name of each Participant. The Compensation elected to be applied as Contributions by a Participant shall be deducted from such Participant’s Compensation on each payday during the period for payroll deductions set forth below and such payroll deductions shall be credited to that Participant’s Account as soon as administratively practicable after such date. A Participant may not make any additional payments to his or her Account. A Participant’s Account shall be reduced by any amounts used to pay the Option Price of Shares acquired, or by any other amounts distributed pursuant to the terms hereof.

(b)Subject to such other rules as the Committee may adopt, payroll deductions with respect to an Offering Period shall commence as of the first pay date which coincides with or immediately follows the applicable Grant Date and shall end on the last pay date which coincides with or immediately precedes the applicable Exercise Date, unless sooner terminated by the Participant as provided in this Section 7 or until his or her participation terminates pursuant to Section 11.

(c)A Participant may terminate his or her Contributions during an Offering Period (and receive a distribution of the balance of his or her Account in accordance with Section 11) by completing and filing with the Corporation, in such form and on such terms as the Committee (or its delegate) may prescribe, a written withdrawal form which shall be signed by the Participant. Such termination shall be effective as soon as administratively practicable after its receipt by the Corporation. A withdrawal election pursuant to this Section 7(c) with respect to an Offering

Period shall only be effective, however, if it is received by the Corporation prior to the Exercise Date of that Offering Period (or such earlier deadline that the Committee may reasonably require to process the withdrawal prior to the applicable Exercise Date). Partial withdrawals of Accounts, and other modifications or suspensions of Subscription Agreements, except as provided in Section 7(e) or 7(f), are not permitted. If a Participant withdraws from an Offering Period, he or she must execute and file with the Corporation a new Subscription Agreement in order to participate in future Offering Period(s).

(d)During unpaid leaves of absence approved by the Corporation or a Participating Subsidiary and meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2) promulgated under the Code, a Participant may continue participation in this Plan by cash payments to the Corporation on his normal paydays equal to the reduction in his Plan Contributions caused by his leave.

(e)A Participant may increase or decrease the level of his or her Contributions (within Plan limits) by completing and filing with the Corporation, on such terms as the Committee (or its delegate) may prescribe, a new Subscription Agreement which indicates such election. Subject to any additional timing requirements that the Committee may impose, an election pursuant to this Section 7(e) shall be effective with the first Offering Period that commences after the Corporation’s receipt of such election.

(f)A Participant may discontinue (but not increase or otherwise decrease the level of) his or her Contributions during an Offering Period, by filing with the Corporation, on such terms as the Committee (or its delegate) may prescribe, a new Subscription Agreement that indicates such election. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an election pursuant to this Section 7(f) shall be effective no earlier than the first payroll period that starts after the Corporation’s receipt of such election and the Participant shall remain enrolled in the Offering Period and his or her Option shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date. Following the discontinuation of Contributions during an Offering Period, however, a Participant must execute and file with the Corporation a new Subscription Agreement in order to participate in future Offering Period(s).

8.Grant of Option

(a)On each Grant Date, each Eligible Employee who is a participant during that Offering Period shall be granted an Option to purchase a number of Shares. The Option shall be exercised on the Exercise Date. The number of Shares to be purchased upon exercise of the Option shall be determined by dividing the Participant’s Account balance as of the applicable Exercise Date by the Option Price, subject to the maximum determined pursuant to Section 4(b).

(b)The Option Price per Share of the Shares subject to an Option for an Offering Period shall be established by the Board or the Committee prior to the start of such Offering Period, provided that in no event shall such Option Price per Share be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the applicable Exercise Date (nor equal to or greater than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the applicable Exercise Date). If the Board or Committee does not otherwise provide, the Option Price per Share for an Offering Period shall be equal to 90% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the applicable Exercise Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding provisions of this

Section 8(b), in no event shall the Option Price per Share be less than the par value of a Share.

(c)Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, a person who is otherwise an Eligible Employee shall not be granted any Option (or any Option granted shall be subject to compliance with the following limitations) or other right to purchase Shares under this Plan to the extent:

(i)it would, if exercised, cause the person to own “stock” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code) possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary; or

(ii)such Option causes such individual to have rights to purchase stock under this Plan and any other plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is qualified under Section 423 of the Code which accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of the stock of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary (determined at the time the right to purchase such Stock is granted, before giving effect to any discounted purchase price under any such plan) for each calendar year in which such right is outstanding at any time.

For purposes of the foregoing, a right to purchase stock accrues when it first become exercisable during the calendar year. In determining whether the stock ownership of an Eligible Employee equals or exceeds the 5% limit set forth above, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code (relating to attribution of stock ownership) shall apply, and stock which the Eligible Employee may purchase under outstanding options shall be treated as stock owned by the Eligible Employee.

9.Exercise of Option

Unless a Participant withdraws pursuant to Section 7(c) or the Participant’s Plan participation is terminated as provided in Section 11, his or her Option for the purchase of Shares shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date for that Offering Period, without any further action on the Participant’s part, and the maximum number of whole Shares subject to such Option (subject to the Individual Limit set forth in Section 4(b) and the limitations contained in Section 8(c)) shall be purchased at the Option Price with the balance of such Participant’s Account.

If any amount which is not sufficient to purchase a whole Share remains in a Participant’s Account after the exercise of his or her Option on the Exercise Date: (i) such amount shall be credited to such Participant’s Account for the next Offering Period, if he or she is then a Participant; or (ii) if such Participant is not a Participant in the next Offering Period, or if the Committee so elects, such amount shall be refunded to such Participant as soon as administratively practicable after such date. If the Share limit of Section 4(a) is reached, any amount that remains in a Participant’s Account after the exercise of his or her Option on the Exercise Date to purchase the number of Shares that he or she is allocated shall be refunded to the Participant as soon as administratively practicable after such date.

If any amount which exceeds the Individual Limit set forth in Section 4(b) or one of the limitations set forth in Section 8(c) remains in a Participant’s Account after the exercise

of his or her Option on the Exercise Date, such amount shall be refunded to the Participant as soon as administratively practicable after such date.

10.Delivery

As soon as administratively practicable after the Exercise Date, the Corporation shall deliver to each Participant or to a registered broker dealer a certificate representing the Shares purchased upon exercise of his or her Option or may otherwise provide for the transfer of the Shares to the Participant in book-entry form. The Corporation may make available an alternative arrangement for delivery of Shares to a recordkeeping service. The Committee (or its delegate), in its discretion, may either require or permit Participants to elect that such certificates representing the Shares purchased or to be purchased under the Plan be delivered to such recordkeeping service. In the event the Corporation is required to obtain from any commission or agency authority to issue any such certificate or otherwise deliver such Shares, the Corporation will seek to obtain such authority. If the Corporation is unable to obtain from any such commission or agency authority which counsel for the Corporation deems necessary for the lawful issuance of any such certificate or delivery of such Shares, or if for any other reason the Corporation can not issue or deliver Shares and satisfy Section 21, the Corporation shall be relieved from liability to any Participant except that the Corporation shall return to each Participant the amount of the balance credited to his or her Account.

11.Termination of Employment; Change in Eligible Status

(a)Except as provided in the next paragraph of this Section 11(a), if a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee for any reason (other than as provided in Section 11(c) below), or if the Participant elects to terminate and withdraw Contributions pursuant to Section 7(c), at any time prior to the last day of an Offering Period in which he or she participates, such Participant’s Account shall be paid to him or her in cash (or, in the event of the Participant’s death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 13 in cash) as soon as administratively practicable but in no event more than sixty (60) days following such cessation or such election, and such Participant’s Option and participation in the Plan shall be automatically terminated.

If a Participant (i) ceases to be an Eligible Employee during the last three (3) months of an Offering Period but remains an employee of the Company through the Exercise Date, (ii) discontinues Contributions pursuant to Section 7(f), or (iii) during an Offering Period commences an unpaid sick leave, military leave, or other leave of absence approved by the Company, and the leave meets the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2) and the Participant is an employee of the Company or on such leave as of the applicable Exercise Date, such Participant’s Contributions shall cease (subject to Section 7(d)), and the Contributions previously credited to the Participant’s Account for that Offering Period shall be used to exercise the Participant’s Option as of the applicable Exercise Date in accordance with Section 9 (unless the Participant makes a timely election to terminate and withdraw Contributions in accordance with Section 7(c), in which case such Participant’s Account shall be paid to him or her in cash in accordance with the foregoing paragraph).

(b)A Participant’s termination from Plan participation precludes the Participant from again participating in this Plan during that Offering Period. However, such termination shall not have any effect upon his or her ability to participate in any succeeding Offering Period, provided that the applicable eligibility and participation requirements are again then met. A Participant’s termination from Plan participation shall be deemed to be a revocation of that Participant’s Subscription Agreement and such Participant must file a new Subscription Agreement to resume Plan participation in any succeeding Offering Period.

(c)For purposes of this Plan, if a Participating Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary, each person employed by that Subsidiary will be deemed to have terminated employment for purposes of this Plan and will no longer be an Eligible Employee, unless the person continues as an Eligible Employee in respect of another Company entity. If such event occurs more than three (3) months prior to the Exercise Date for such Offering Period, any Participant employed by that Subsidiary will have their participation in the Plan terminated and such Participant’s Account shall be paid to him or her in cash. Furthermore, if any employee ceases to be an Eligible Employee with more than three (3) months remaining in the Offering Period in which such employee is then participating, then such employee will have his or her participation in the Plan terminated and such Participant’s Account shall be paid to him or her in cash.

12.Administration

(a)The Board shall appoint the Committee, which shall be composed of not less than two members of the Board. Unless the Board shall determine otherwise, the “Committee” shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board. If the Board selects a Committee that is not the Compensation Committee of the Board, the Board may, at any time, increase or decrease the number of members of the Committee, may remove from membership on the Committee all or any portion of its members, and may appoint such person or persons as it desires to fill any vacancy existing on the Committee, whether caused by removal, resignation, or otherwise. The Board may also, at any time, assume the administration of this Plan, in which case references to the “Committee” shall be deemed to be references to the Board.

(b)The Committee shall supervise and administer this Plan and shall have full power and discretion to adopt, amend and rescind any rules deemed desirable and appropriate for the administration of this Plan and not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The Committee shall act by majority vote or by unanimous written consent. No member of the Committee shall be entitled to act on or decide any matter relating solely to himself or herself or solely to any of his or her rights or benefits under this Plan. The Committee shall have full power and discretionary authority to construe and interpret the terms and conditions of this Plan, which construction or interpretation shall be final and binding on all parties including the Company, Participants and beneficiaries. The Committee may delegate ministerial non-discretionary functions to third parties, including individuals who are officers or employees of the Corporation.

(c)Subject only to compliance with the express provisions hereof, the Board and Committee may act in their absolute discretion in matters within their authority related to this Plan. Any action taken by, or inaction of, the Corporation, any Participating Subsidiary, the Board or the Committee relating or pursuant to this

Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and will be conclusive and binding upon all persons. In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Board or Committee, as the case may be, may obtain and may rely on the advice of experts, including professional advisors to the Corporation. No member of the Board or Committee, or officer or agent of the Company, will be liable for any action, omission or decision under the Plan taken, made or omitted in good faith.

(d)The Committee may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of the laws and procedures of jurisdictions outside of the United States. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of payroll deductions or other contributions by Participants, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, data privacy security, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements; however, if such varying provisions are not in accordance with the provisions of Section 423(b) of the Code, including but not limited to the requirement of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code that all options granted under the Plan shall have the same rights and privileges unless otherwise provided under the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, then the individuals affected by such varying provisions shall be deemed to be participating under a sub-plan and not in the Plan. The Committee may also adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Subsidiaries or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Code Section 423 and shall be deemed to be outside the scope of Code Section 423 unless the terms of the sub-plan provide to the contrary. The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 4, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan. The Committee shall not be required to obtain the approval of stockholders prior to the adoption, amendment or termination of any sub-plan unless required by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction in which Eligible Employees participating in the sub-plan are located.

(e)To the full extent permissible under the Corporation’s governing documents and applicable laws, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other employee, officer or director of the Corporation to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of this Plan may be allocated or delegated, against any cost or expense (including counsel fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with this Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or willful bad faith. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s governing documents, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

13.Death Benefits

In the event of the death of a Participant and subject to applicable law, the Corporation shall deliver any Shares and/or cash in such Participant’s Account under this Plan payable pursuant to the terms hereof to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Corporation), the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may deliver such Shares and/

or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the Participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Corporation, then to such other person as the Corporation may designate.

14.Transferability

Neither Contributions credited to a Participant’s Account nor any Options or rights with respect to the exercise of Options or right to receive Shares under this Plan may be anticipated, alienated, encumbered, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as provided in Section 13) by the Participant. Any such attempt at anticipation, alienation, encumbrance, assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect and all amounts shall be paid and all Shares shall be delivered in accordance with the provisions of this Plan. Amounts payable or Shares deliverable pursuant to this Plan shall be paid or delivered only to the Participant or, in the event of the Participant’s death, as provided in Section 13.

15.Use of Funds; Interest

All Contributions received or held by the Corporation under this Plan will be included in the general assets of the Corporation and may be used for any corporate purpose. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, no interest will be paid to any Participant or credited to his or her Account under this Plan (in respect of Account balances, refunds of Account balances, or otherwise). Amounts payable under this Plan shall be payable in shares of Common Stock or from the general assets of the Corporation and, except for any Shares that may be reserved on the books of the Corporation for issuance with respect to this Plan, no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit shall be made to assure payment of amounts that may be due with respect to this Plan.

16.Reports

Statements shall be provided (either electronically or in written form, as the Committee may provide from time to time) to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following each Exercise Date. Each Participant’s statement shall set forth, as of such Exercise Date, that Participant’s Account balance immediately prior to the exercise of his or her Option, the Option Price, the number of whole Shares purchased and his or her remaining Account balance, if any.

17.Adjustments of and Changes in the Stock

Upon or in contemplation of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend), or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; split-up, spin-off, or any similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock (whether in the form of securities or property); any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; or a sale of substantially all the assets of the Corporation as an

entirety occurs; then the Committee shall, in such manner as it deems equitable in the circumstances:

(a)proportionately adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares or the number and type of other securities that thereafter may be made the subject of Options (including the specific maxima and numbers of Shares set forth elsewhere in this Plan), (ii) the number, amount and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to any or all outstanding Options, (iii) the Option Price of any or all outstanding Options, or (iv) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise of any outstanding Options; or

(b)make provision for a cash payment or for the substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding Options for cash, securities or property to be delivered to the holders of any or all outstanding Options based upon the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Common Stock upon or in respect of such event.

The Committee may adopt such valuation methodologies for outstanding Options as it deems reasonable in the event of a cash or property settlement and, without limitation on other methodologies, may base such settlement solely upon the excess (if any) of the amount payable upon or in respect of such event over the exercise or strike price of the Option.

In any of such events, the Committee may take such action sufficiently prior to such event to the extent that the Committee deems the action necessary to permit the Participant to realize the benefits intended to be conveyed with respect to the underlying shares in the same manner as is or will be available to stockholders generally.

18.Possible Early Termination of Plan and Options

Upon a dissolution of the Corporation, or any other event described in Section 17 that the Corporation does not survive, the Plan shall terminate, and if such event occurs prior to the last day of an Offering Period, any outstanding Option granted with respect to that Offering Period shall also terminate. However, termination of the Plan or of any Option under this Section 18 shall be subject to any provision that has been expressly made by the Board for the survival, substitution, assumption, exchange or other settlement of the Plan and Options. In the event a Participant’s Option is terminated pursuant to this Section 18 without a provision having been made by the Board for the survival, substitution, assumption, exchange or other settlement of the Option, such Participant’s Account shall be paid to him or her in cash without interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a dissolution of the Corporation, or any other event described in Section 17 that the Corporation does not survive, and if such event occurs prior to the last day of an Offering Period, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, to shorten such Offering Period and establish a “Special Exercise Date” upon which the accrued payroll deductions of each Participant who does not elect to withdraw his or her payroll deductions will be used to purchase whole Shares with any remaining cash balance in a Participant’s Account being returned to such Participant as soon as administratively practicable following the Special Exercise Date. The price at which each Share may be

purchased on such Special Exercise Date shall be calculated in accordance with Section 8 above as if “Exercise Date” were replaced by “Special Exercise Date.”

19.Term of Plan; Amendment or Termination

(a)This Plan originally became effective as of October 1, 2003. This amendment and restatement of the Plan was adopted by the Board effective January 1, 2026.

(b)The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part, without notice (including, without limitation, the limits of Sections 4(b), 6(b)(ii), and 6(b)(iii)). Stockholder approval for any amendment or modification shall not be required, except to the extent required by applicable law or required under Section 423 of the Code in order to preserve the intended tax consequences of this Plan, or otherwise deemed necessary or advisable by the Board. No Options may be granted during any suspension of this Plan or after the termination of this Plan, but the Committee will retain jurisdiction as to Options then outstanding in accordance with the terms of this Plan. No amendment, modification, or termination pursuant to this Section 19(b) shall, without written consent of the Participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the Participant any rights or benefits of such Participant or obligations of the Corporation under any Option granted under this Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes contemplated by Section 17 or Section 18 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments requiring Participant consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have the right to designate from time to time the Subsidiaries whose employees may be eligible to participate in this Plan and such designation shall not constitute any amendment to this Plan requiring stockholder approval.

20.Notices

All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Corporation contemplated by this Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form and manner specified by the Committee (or its delegate) at the location, or by the person, designated by the Committee (or its delegate) for that purpose.

21.Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares

This Plan, the granting of Options under this Plan and the offer, issuance and delivery of Shares are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities laws) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The person acquiring any securities under this Plan will, if requested by the Corporation and as a condition precedent to the exercise of his or her Option, provide such assurances and representations to the Corporation as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.

22.Plan Construction

(a)It is the intent of the Corporation that transactions involving Options under this Plan in the case of Participants who are or may be subject to the prohibitions of

Section 16 of the Exchange Act satisfy the requirements for applicable exemptions under Rule 16 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that such persons (unless they otherwise agree) will be entitled to the exemptive relief of Rule 16b-3 or other exemptive rules promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of those transactions and will not be subject to avoidable liability thereunder.

(b)Except as the Committee may expressly provide in the case of one or more sub-plans adopted pursuant to Section 12(d), this Plan and Options are intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Code.

(c)If any provision of this Plan or of any Option would otherwise frustrate or conflict with the intents expressed above, that provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted so as to avoid such conflict. If the conflict remains irreconcilable, the Committee may disregard the provision if it concludes that to do so furthers the interest of the Corporation and is consistent with the purposes of this Plan as to such persons in the circumstances.

23.Limitations on Employees’ Rights

(a)Nothing in this Plan (or in any other documents related to this Plan) will confer upon any Eligible Employee or Participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Company, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or other service or effect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company to change such person’s compensation or other benefits or to terminate his or her employment or other service with or without cause. Nothing contained in this Section 23(a), however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of any such person under a separate employment or service contract other than a Subscription Agreement.

(b)No Participant or other person will have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset (including Shares) of the Company by reason of any Option hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan will create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant or other person. To the extent that a Participant or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to this Plan, such right will be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation. No special or separate reserve, fund or deposit will be made to assure any such payment.

(c)A Participant will not be entitled to any privilege of stock ownership as to any Shares not actually delivered to and held of record by the Participant. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights as a stockholder for which a record date is prior to such date of delivery.

24.Miscellaneous

(a)This Plan, the Options, and related documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware. If any provision shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Plan shall continue in effect.

(b)Captions and headings are given to the sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such captions and headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction of interpretation of this Plan or any provision hereof.

(c)The adoption of this Plan shall not affect any other Company compensation or incentive plans in effect. Nothing in this Plan will limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Board or Committee (i) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for employees of the Company (with or without reference to the Common Stock), or (ii) to grant or assume options (outside the scope of and in addition to those contemplated by this Plan) in connection with any proper corporate purpose; to the extent consistent with any other plan or authority.

(d)Benefits received by a Participant under an Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall not be deemed a part of the Participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plan or arrangement, if any, provided by the Company, except where the Committee or the Board expressly otherwise provides or authorizes in writing.

25.Effective Date

Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, the effectiveness of this Plan is subject to the approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation within twelve months of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, no Shares in excess of those Shares previously approved by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be issued or delivered under this Plan until such stockholder approval is obtained and, if such stockholder approval is not obtained within such twelve-month period of time, the maximum number of Shares issuable under Section 4(a) shall be reduced to that number of Shares previously approved by the stockholders of the Corporation for issuance under this Plan.

26.Tax Withholding

Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Plan herein to the contrary, the Company may deduct from a Participant’s Account balance as of an Exercise Date, before the exercise of the Participant’s Option is given effect on such date, the amount of any taxes which the Company reasonably determines it may be required to withhold with respect to such exercise. In such event, the maximum number of whole Shares subject to such Option (subject to the other limits set forth in this Plan) shall be purchased at the Option Price with the balance of the Participant’s Account (after reduction for the tax withholding amount).

Should the Company for any reason be unable, or elect not to, satisfy its tax withholding obligations in the manner described in the preceding paragraph with respect to a Participant’s exercise of an Option, or should the Company reasonably determine that it has a tax withholding obligation with respect to a disposition of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option prior to satisfaction of the holding period requirements of Section 423 of the Code, the Company shall have the right at its option to (i) require the Participant to pay or provide for payment of the amount of any taxes which the Company

reasonably determines that it is required to withhold with respect to such event or (ii) to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, deduct from any amount otherwise payable to or for the account of the Participant the amount of any taxes which the Company reasonably determines that it is required to withhold with respect to such event.

27.Notice of Sale

Any person who has acquired Shares under this Plan shall give prompt written notice to the Corporation of any sale or other transfer of the Shares if such sale or transfer occurs (i) within the two-year period after the Grant Date of the Offering Period with respect to which such Shares were acquired, or (ii) within the twelve-month period after the Exercise Date of the Offering Period with respect to which such Shares were acquired.

28.Arbitration

Any controversy arising out of or relating to this Plan, and/or the Subscription Agreement, their enforcement or interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of their provisions, or any other controversy arising out of or related to the Option, including, but not limited to, any state or federal statutory claims, shall be submitted to arbitration in Los Angeles County, California, before a sole arbitrator selected from Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc., Los Angeles County, California, or its successor (“JAMS”), or if JAMS is no longer able to supply the arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be selected from the American Arbitration Association. Any dispute shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1, et. seq. (the “FAA”), and the FAA shall preempt all state laws to the fullest extent not prohibited by law. References to Delaware law made herein shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights under the FAA, or any rights to have such dispute resolution provisions governed, interpreted and enforced under the FAA. In the event that any person refuses to submit to arbitration as required by this Section 28, any other person that would be a party to such arbitration may request a United States Federal District Court to compel arbitration in accordance with the FAA. All persons with an interest in such dispute consent to the jurisdiction of such court to enforce this Section 28 and to confirm and enforce the performance of any award of the arbitrator. The arbitration shall be administered and conducted by the arbitrator pursuant to the FAA, and to the extent not inconsistent with the FAA, with the rules and procedures of the selected arbitration service.

Final resolution of any dispute through arbitration may include any remedy or relief which the arbitrator deems just and equitable, including any and all remedies provided by applicable state or federal statutes. At the conclusion of the arbitration, the arbitrator shall issue a written decision that sets forth the essential findings and conclusions upon which the arbitrator’s award or decision is based. Any award or relief granted by the arbitrator hereunder shall be final and binding on the parties hereto and may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction. The parties acknowledge and agree that they are hereby waiving any rights to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the parties against the other in connection with any matter

whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with any of the matters referenced in the first sentence above. The parties agree that Corporation shall be responsible for payment of the forum costs of any arbitration hereunder, including the arbitrator’s fee. The parties further agree that in any proceeding with respect to such matters, each party shall bear its own attorney’s fees and costs (other than forum costs associated with the arbitration) incurred by it or him or her in connection with the resolution of the dispute.

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Document

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Gary D. Burnison, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Korn Ferry;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 11, 2026

By:	/s/ GARY D. BURNISON
Name:	Gary D. Burnison
Title:	Chief Executive Officer and President

Document

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Robert P. Rozek, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Korn Ferry;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 11, 2026

By:	/s/ ROBERT P. ROZEK
Name:	Robert P. Rozek
Title:	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Corporate Officer

Document

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certify that, to the best of their knowledge:

(a)the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2026 (the “Report”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b)information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: March 11, 2026

By:	/s/ GARY D. BURNISON
Name:	Gary D. Burnison
Title:	Chief Executive Officer and President
By:	/s/ ROBERT P. ROZEK
Name:	Robert P. Rozek
Title:	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Corporate Officer