Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI)
NASDAQIndustrialsStaffing & Employment ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
$33.91+0.24%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQIndustrialsStaffing & Employment ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · BBSI
What must go right, what could break, what the price assumes, and what evidence comes next.
The current health of the standing investment case.
Recent financial performance sits below its industry cohort — worth keeping an eye on, though it has not freshly broken.
One-year growth currently built into the price, compared with our model's estimate.
| Measure | Marker shape | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Growth built into the price | circle | 14.0% |
| Our one-year growth estimate | diamond | 7.7% |
Growth built into the price is above our model estimate.
The price assumes 6.3 percentage points more one-year growth.
The one-year revenue growth assumption on Valuation.
For each item: what to watch, what would become a concern, and what would make it less concerning.
A reporting-risk estimate, not a forecast of the stock-price response.
Model as of 2026-09-04 · Compared with 11 industry peers · Company calendar date is not available
BBSI — earnings miss
Dated 2026-08-05
Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On August 5, 2026, Barrett Business Services, Inc. (the “Company”), issued a news release announcing its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026. The release also provides management’s expectations for certain key performance metrics for 2026. A copy of the news release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated by reference.
Why it matters: Keeping gross margin guidance shows the company can control costs. This is important for making money.
Supportive ifManagement says gross margin guidance will not change during the next earnings call.
Worry ifManagement lowers gross margin guidance in the next earnings call.
Why it matters: Maintaining gross margin is key for BBSI's financial health. A decline could signal deeper issues.
Worry ifGross margin remains between 2.70% and 2.85% for the full year 2026.
Less concerning ifGross margin is below 2.70%. This shows possible problems with operations.
Why it matters: Positive net income shows good financial health. Negative net income may mean bigger problems.
Supportive ifNet income reported as positive for Q3.
Worry ifNet income reported as negative for Q3.
Why it matters: Changes in tax rate guidance can impact net income. This is important for overall financial health.
Watch forManagement will share a steady annual tax rate in the next earnings call.
Also watch forManagement raises effective annual tax rate guidance in the next earnings call.
Why it matters: Earnings results will show if BBSI can maintain growth and manage costs effectively.
Watch forEarnings report shows revenue growth above 5% and reduced net loss.
Also watch forEarnings report shows revenue growth below 3% and increased net loss.
Why it matters: WSE growth is crucial for revenue. Falling below 2% would indicate challenges in attracting new clients.
Worry ifAverage WSEs growth reported below 2%.
Less concerning ifAverage WSEs growth reported at 2% or higher.
Why it matters: The FOMC's interest rate decision can affect business costs and client hiring.
Watch forFOMC raises interest rates. This makes borrowing more expensive for clients.
Also watch forFOMC keeps rates the same. This shows that the economy is stable.
Why it matters: Improving WSE growth is key to meeting management's target for 2026. It shows client hiring is recovering.
Supportive ifAverage WSE growth reaches 2% or higher in the next quarter.
Worry ifAverage WSE growth remains below 2% for the next quarter.
Why it matters: Maintaining this growth range is crucial for BBSI's financial health and aligns with management's guidance.
Supportive ifGross billings growth stays between 3% and 4% in the next quarter.
Worry ifGross billings growth falls below 3% in the next quarter.
Why it matters: The dividend shows BBSI's promise to give money back to shareholders. This can help build trust with investors.
Supportive ifThe dividend is paid on September 4, 2026, as scheduled.
Worry ifThe dividend payment is delayed or canceled.
Why it matters: Gross margin shows how well BBSI makes money. It also shows how well the company runs.
Watch forGross margin as a percent of gross billings exceeds 2.75% in Q3.
Also watch forGross margin as a percent of gross billings falls below 2.70% in Q3.
We watch for confirming and disproving signals on each item. Resolutions are found automatically where possible and checked by hand for unclear cases. Last 90 days shown.
Historical relationships that met the evidence threshold. They do not prove cause or forecast a move.
Usually moved in the same direction.
Price observations: 365 days
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Based on historical daily prices through 2026-09-04.
Past price behavior in dollars on a $10,000 position. This does not measure permanent business risk.
How much price usually moves either way.
A larger daily loss that occurred about once in every 20 trading days.
Deepest peak-to-trough drop in the last year.
| Measure | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Typical day | ±$130 on $10,000 · ±1.3% | How much price usually moves either way. |
| Bad day | $277 loss on $10,000 · 2.8% | A larger daily loss that occurred about once in every 20 trading days. |
| Largest peak-to-trough drop in the past year | $4,414 loss on $10,000 · 44.1% | Deepest peak-to-trough drop in the last year. |
Past year. 1.00 means similar movement; 1.20 means about 20% more.
Past year. 1.00 means similar movement to the sector. This is secondary context.
Latest 30 trading days, shown as an annual percentage.
Latest 252 trading days, shown as an annual percentage.
20-trading-day average in US dollars.
Trading days used by the source risk snapshot.
Past results, not a forecast. Not investment advice.
Use the underlying financial and sector pages to investigate the cause.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.