28th Jun 2006 07:00
28 June 2006 HAYS PLC TRADING UPDATE Hays plc, the Specialist Recruitment Company, will announce its preliminaryresults for the year ending 30 June on 5 September 2006 and today issues thefollowing trading update.Since the announcement of the interim results in February, the business hascontinued to generate good growth, with net fees in the second half of thefinancial year expected to be approximately 14% ahead of the same period lastyear. Both temporary and permanent placement fees are ahead of the same periodlast year.In the United Kingdom & Ireland, the business is expected to grow net fees atapproximately 7% for the second half of the financial year, with growth acrosseach of the major disciplines.In Australia & New Zealand, second half net fees are expected to beapproximately 33% ahead of the same period last year, with double-digit growthachieved across all specialisms in the region.In Continental Europe & Canada, second half net fees are expected to beapproximately 39% ahead of the same period last year. Our German business, thelargest in the region continued to grow strongly.The Group's performance for the year to 30 June 2006 continues to be in linewith the Board's expectations.The Company has continued with its share buy-back programme. Since the start ofthe programme in November 2004, the Company has acquired 263.2 million sharesrepresenting 15% of the share capital and has returned ‚£336.8 million toshareholders.Hays plc intends to enter into an irrevocable non-discretionary arrangement toenable the repurchase of its own shares during its close period. Any sharepurchases will be effected within certain pre-set parameters and in accordancewith both the Company's general authority to repurchase shares and the ListingRules. - Ends - Enquiries:Paul Venables Finance Director,Hays plc + 44 (0) 20 7628 9999Richard Jackson Investor Relations,Hays plc + 44 (0) 20 7628 9999Mike Smith Brunswick + 44 (0) 20 7404 5959Paul Venables and Richard Jackson of Hays plc will conduct a conference callfor investors and analysts at 9.00am United Kingdom time on Wednesday 28 June2006. The dial-in details are as follows:Dial-in number: + 44 (0) 1452 561 263The call will be recorded and available for playback for 7 days as follows:Replay dial-in number: + 44 (0) 1452 550 000Access code: 1988465#ENDHAYS PLCRelated Shares:
Hays