Hirequest Inc (HQI)

NewEdge Wealth LLC recently invested $1.17 million in HireQuest, Inc. (NASDAQ:HQI), acquiring 93,036 shares, which represents a 0.67% stake in the company. Institutional investors now collectively own 12% of HireQuest, which has received a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating from analysts with an average price target of $19.00. The company reported strong Q2 earnings, beating EPS and revenue estimates, and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share.

HireQuest, Inc. (HQI) is outperforming its Business Services peers this year, with a 59.1% year-to-date return compared to the sector's average of -9%. The company holds a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), supported by a 40.4% increase in its full-year earnings consensus estimate over the past quarter. Investors interested in Business Services stocks should monitor HQI and Ingram Micro (INGM), another strong performer in the sector.

New data from HireQuest, Inc. reveals that demand for U.S. manufacturing workers is three times higher than pre-pandemic levels, despite mixed national employment reports. This indicates a fundamental shift in hiring practices, with manufacturers increasingly using temporary and temp-to-perm staffing models to maintain flexibility and expand production. HireQuest reports strong demand across various manufacturing roles, including skilled technicians and engineers, suggesting that AI and automation are increasing, not replacing, the need for skilled workers.

HireQuest, Inc. (HQI) is outperforming its Business Services peers and the broader market this year, returning 59.1% compared to the sector's average of -9%. The company, which holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has seen a 40.4% increase in its full-year earnings consensus estimate over the past quarter. Ingram Micro (INGM) is another Business Services stock showing strong performance, with a 30.1% year-to-date return.

HireQuest (HQI) reported its Q2 2026 earnings, showing significant revenue growth for the first time since Q3 2024, driven by improved demand for temporary staffing services. President and CEO Richard F. Hermanns highlighted the benefits of immigration policies, growth in manufacturing labor, and successful national accounts programs. CFO C. David Hartley detailed a 6% increase in total revenue year-over-year, with pro forma revenue up 16.6% after divesting MRI Network assets, alongside strong GAAP profitability and increased adjusted net income and EBITDA.