ManpowerGroup stock falls after revenue miss, downbeat profit outlook

Shares of ManpowerGroup shed 2.1% in premarket trading Friday, after the provider of workforce services reported third-quarter revenue that missed expectations, and provided a fourth-quarter profit outlook that was below forecasts. Net income fell to $146.1 million, or $2.42 a share, from $158.0 million, or $2.43 a share, in the same period a year ago. The results included an accounting gain related to the July 10 initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of a joint venture in China. The FactSet consensus for net earnings per share was $1.94. Revenue fell 3.1% to $5.25 billion, below the FactSet consensus of $5.33 billion, as Americas revenue rose 2.0%, Southern Europe revenue fell 5.4% and Northern Europe revenue dropped 10.1%. The company expects fourth-quarter EPS of $2.00 to $2.08, below the FactSet consensus for net EPS of $2.17. "The global economic environment continues to be uncertain, leading to uneven market conditions as economic growth slows but labor markets remain tight and skills shortages high," said Chief Executive Jonas Prising. The stock has lost 4.8% over the past three months through Thursday, while the S&P 500 has edged up 0.1%.

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