Barrett Business Services, Inc. narrowed its full-year 2026 outlook, now expecting gross billings growth of 3% to 4% and a gross margin of 2.7% to 2.75%. The company also tightened its average worksite employee growth forecast to 2% to 3%, citing ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties. In the second quarter, gross billings rose 2.6% to $2.29 billion, while net income per diluted share fell to $0.52 from $0.70 a year earlier. Management highlighted a 17% year-over-year increase in new client acquisitions and noted that workers' compensation pricing momentum should make 2026 the low watermark for margins, with improvement expected in 2027.
Barrett Business Services IncNarrowed 2026 outlook and lower Q2 EPS indicate weaker profitability.
