Robert Half International Bundle
Who Owns Robert Half Inc.?
Understanding Robert Half Inc.'s ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction. Founded in 1948, the company has evolved significantly, impacting its governance and market influence.
Robert Half Inc., a global leader in talent solutions, has a diverse ownership structure shaped by its history and public trading. Tracing its evolution reveals the interplay of founders, institutional investors, and individual shareholders.
The ownership of Robert Half Inc. is primarily distributed among its public shareholders, with institutional investors holding a significant portion. As of late 2024, major institutional holders include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock Inc., and State Street Corporation, collectively managing substantial blocks of shares. These institutions play a crucial role in the company's governance through their voting power and influence on strategic decisions. The company's journey from its founding in 1948 to its current status as a publicly traded entity has seen its ownership landscape transform, with early stakes from founders gradually becoming part of a broader public float. Analyzing the Robert Half International BCG Matrix can provide further insight into its market position and growth potential.
Who Founded Robert Half International?
Robert Half Inc., initially known as the Robert Half Personnel Agency, was founded in March 1948 by Robert Half and his wife, Maxine Half, in New York City. While specific details regarding the initial equity distribution are not publicly available, Robert Half's foundational vision was to innovate within the professional talent placement sector.
Robert Half and his wife established the company with a pioneering spirit. Their aim was to create specialized solutions for professional staffing needs.
A significant early development was the launch of Accountemps in 1973. This division focused on providing temporary accounting professionals, underscoring the company's move towards niche staffing.
In 1986, Max Messmer acquired the Robert Half business from the founder, Robert Half. This marked a pivotal moment in the company's ownership history.
The company transitioned to being publicly traded in 1987. This event fundamentally altered the initial ownership structure, opening it up to broader public investment.
The company was founded in 1948 by Robert Half and Maxine Half. Their initial venture laid the groundwork for what would become a major player in talent solutions.
The early vision focused on pioneering professional talent solutions. This strategic direction guided the company's growth and specialization in staffing.
The initial ownership of Robert Half Inc. was vested in its founders, Robert and Maxine Half. The company's trajectory saw significant shifts, notably the acquisition by Max Messmer in 1986 and its subsequent public offering in 1987. This public trading means that Robert Half International ownership is now distributed among its shareholders, making it a publicly traded entity. Understanding the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Robert Half International provides context for its ongoing ownership dynamics.
- Founded in March 1948 by Robert Half and Maxine Half.
- Initial operations began as Robert Half Personnel Agency in New York City.
- Accountemps, a specialized division for temporary accountants, was launched in 1973.
- Max Messmer acquired the business from Robert Half in 1986.
- The company became publicly traded in 1987.
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How Has Robert Half International’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
Robert Half International Inc. transitioned to public ownership in 1987, a pivotal moment that reshaped its shareholder landscape. Since then, its ownership has become largely concentrated among institutional investors, reflecting a broad base of professional asset management.
| Institutional Investor | Shares Held (as of March 31, 2025) | Percentage Ownership (as of March 31, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| BlackRock, Inc. | 15,984,596 | 15.65% |
| Vanguard Group Inc. | 10,863,749 | 10.63% |
| Mawer Investment Management Ltd. | 7,805,369 | 7.64% |
| State Street Corp. | 4.65% | |
| Boston Partners | 4.03% | |
| Morgan Stanley | ||
| Capital Research Global Investors | ||
| Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. | ||
| Alliancebernstein L.P. |
As of July 31, 2025, institutional investors collectively owned a significant 96.95% of Robert Half International's outstanding shares, amounting to 103.58 million shares valued at approximately $3.66 billion. The share price on that date was $36.91. The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates reached about $6.45 billion as of June 30, 2024. This substantial institutional ownership underscores that the company is primarily managed by professional investment entities rather than being controlled by individual founders or a small group of private shareholders. Understanding Robert Half International ownership is key for investors looking at Robert Half stock ownership trends.
Institutional investors are the dominant owners of Robert Half International. These entities manage large portfolios and are significant players in the stock market.
- BlackRock, Inc. is a leading institutional holder.
- Vanguard Group Inc. also maintains a substantial stake.
- Mawer Investment Management Ltd. is another major shareholder.
- The majority of shares are held by professional investment firms.
- This indicates a broad distribution of ownership among managed funds.
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Who Sits on Robert Half International’s Board?
As of April 11, 2025, Robert Half Inc. has a Board of Directors consisting of nine members, with a significant majority, 78%, identified as independent. The board includes key leadership roles such as Harold M. Messmer, Jr., the Executive Chairman, and M. Keith Waddell, who holds the positions of Vice Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.
| Director Name | Role | Independence Status |
|---|---|---|
| Harold M. Messmer, Jr. | Executive Chairman | Not Independent |
| M. Keith Waddell | Vice Chairman, President, and CEO | Not Independent |
| Jana L. Barsten | Director | Independent |
| Julia L. Coronado | Director | Independent |
| Dirk A. Kempthorne | Director | Independent |
| Marc H. Morial | Director | Independent |
Robert Half operates under a straightforward 'one-share-one-vote' system, ensuring that each share of common stock carries equal voting rights. The company does not employ dual-class stock structures or supermajority voting requirements, which facilitates a more direct shareholder influence on governance matters. Directors are elected annually through a majority vote, reinforcing their accountability to the Robert Half International shareholders. The company's proxy access provisions are aligned with standard market practices, and there have been no recent public reports indicating significant proxy contests or activist campaigns that have altered the company's fundamental decision-making processes.
Understanding who owns Robert Half International is crucial for investors and stakeholders. The company's governance structure emphasizes shareholder rights through its voting power distribution.
- Robert Half International operates with a 'one-share-one-vote' policy.
- A majority of the Board of Directors are independent members.
- Directors are elected annually, ensuring accountability to Robert Half International shareholders.
- The company has a transparent governance structure without dual-class stock.
- Information on Robert Half stock ownership can be found through investor relations.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped Robert Half International’s Ownership Landscape?
Recent trends in Robert Half International ownership show a continued dominance by institutional investors, holding a significant 96.95% of outstanding shares as of July 31, 2025. This high level of institutional backing underscores the company's established presence in the public market and the confidence major financial entities place in its operations.
| Institutional Investor | Ownership Percentage (as of Q1 2025) | Change in Holdings (Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| BlackRock, Inc. | 14.20% | +5.37% |
| Vanguard Group Inc. | 10.62% | -12.59% |
| Jefferies Financial Group Inc. | N/A | +119.4% |
| Northern Trust Corp. | N/A | +18.9% (Q4 2024) |
Institutional investors continue to be the primary holders of Robert Half International stock, with BlackRock, Inc. emerging as the largest shareholder after increasing its stake by 5.37% to 14,528,725 shares as of March 31, 2025. While Vanguard Group Inc. reduced its holdings by 12.59%, other institutions like Jefferies Financial Group Inc. and Northern Trust Corp. have shown increased interest through significant stake acquisitions in late 2024 and early 2025, reflecting dynamic shifts within the company's shareholder base.
BlackRock, Inc. now holds the largest stake at 14.20%, while Vanguard Group Inc.'s position has decreased. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. saw a substantial 119.4% increase in its holdings.
In Q2 2025, the company repurchased approximately 450,000 shares for $20 million. A total of 6.2 million shares remain available under the current repurchase plan.
Robert Half reported global enterprise revenues of $1.37 billion in the second quarter of 2025, a 7% decrease year-over-year. Diluted net income per share for 2024 was $2.44, down 37% from the previous year.
M. Keith Waddell continues to serve as President and CEO. Analysts project earnings per share to reach $2.48 for the current year, indicating a slight recovery from the previous year's performance.
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