25th Feb 2015 08:11
LONDON (Alliance News) - Recruitment company Hays PLC on Wednesday reported a rise in pretax profit in the first half of its financial year on the back of a rise in net fee income.
The FTSE 250-listed company said its pretax profit for the six months to the end of December was GBP77.3 million, up from GBP62.5 million a year earlier.
Net fee income in the half was up to GBP383.9 million from GBP363.4 million last year, as fee income increased across its UK and Ireland, Asia Pacific and Europe and Rest of the World divisions.
The company also proposed a 5% rise in its interim dividend, up to 0.87 pence per share from 0.83 pence per share last year.
"This is an excellent first half performance, driven by an acceleration in the permanent recruitment market, as candidate confidence continued to improve in many countries," said Hays Chief Executive Alistair Cox.
"Looking ahead we exit the first half in a position of strength and we are confident in our outlook. We have the scale, diversity, people and technology to capture the many long-term opportunities available to us, as well as driving our profits along the way," Cox added.
Still, shares in Hays were down 4% at the open on Wednesday to 153.6 pence, one of the worst performers in the FTSE 250.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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