DHI Group shares surge 18.06% premarket after raising full-year profitability guidance, launching a $5M buyback, and highlighting AI-driven defense hiring growth.

DHI Group Inc. surged 18.06% in premarket trading following the release of its third-quarter financial results, which included a raised full-year Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance to 27% and the launch of a new $5 million stock buyback program. Despite a 9% revenue decline and a $9.6 million intangible asset impairment, the company highlighted 19% Adjusted EBITDA growth, $3.2 million in free cash flow, and improved Dice segment margins. Management cited AI-driven demand in tech hiring and a $1.1 trillion U.S. defense budget as tailwinds, with CEO Art Zeile emphasizing ClearanceJobs’ resilience and Dice’s operational efficiency. The stock’s sharp rise aligned with the firm’s reaffirmed revenue guidance ($126–$128 million) and confidence in long-term growth amid secular trends in defense and AI.