Hays PLC - London-based provider of recruitment and human resources services - Reports a multiplied pre-tax profit of £97.7 million for the six months to December 31 from £21.1m a year before. This is on net fees of £565.3 million, up 39% from £422.8 a year ago. Attributes these ‘record’ results to an ‘excellent’ performance across all regions and its actions to capitalise on ‘strong’ market conditions.

Declares an interim dividend of 0.95 pence per share, after not having paid one a year before. Expects to announce a ‘substantial’ special dividend for financial 2022 with its preliminary results.

Guides full-year operating profit to be between £210 million to £215 million, ahead of consensus market expectations.

Notes that its Finance Director Paul Venables decided to retire as a director of the company on September 30.

‘Conditions in all markets are strong, driven by high levels of business confidence, significant job churn and clear evidence of wage inflation. Against this positive backdrop, consultant productivity is at excellent levels, and having added roughly 1,100 consultants in the last six months, we expect to drive productivity further,’ Chief Executive Alistair Cox says.

Current stock price: 132.20 pence, down 6.9% on Thursday

12-month change: down 17%

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