Hays Share Discussion Threads

[wad collector] 11/4/2013 19:58

Seems a surprisingly strong share price response considering the net fees were down 3% in a company that last yr paid the lowest dividend that it has delivered in 15 yrs!
Tempted to sell the othe half of my holding.

[deadly] 11/4/2013 09:16

Looking good:

"We expect full year operating profit to be at the top of the current range of market estimates(2),based on an encouraging start to the second half in key Temp markets and our continued focus on cost control around the Group, as well as beneficial movements in key exchange rates"

[salpara111] 06/2/2013 16:13

I have held these for quite some time and have only recently got back into the blue.
I am happy to see it rise but must admit that I am a little confused as to why it has done so.
I have set a sell order at 94.5 to expire on friday so if it gets there I am out.

[monkeymagic3] 06/2/2013 10:26

Well I called that wrong!

[666james] 06/2/2013 09:20

wots up with this then ?? Steaming above 90p.

[monkeymagic3] 22/1/2013 20:36

£600k sell this afternoon?

[monkeymagic3] 22/1/2013 20:17

Not sure what holders see in this share (and sector) to be positive about.

[wad collector] 10/1/2013 19:41

Half of mine went for 91p today. May be out too early , but these have become a bit volatile , wouldn't be surprised to buy them back next week for 85p. Who knows?

[paleje] 10/1/2013 16:02

Agreed there deadly, it looks as if Germany's strength has propped them up, if that is tested this year things could change, I'm surprised to see the rise and a current year prospective PE of nearly 18.

[deadly] 10/1/2013 13:34

Surprisingly strong response to the trading statement which looked only moderately positive to me.

[major clanger] 07/1/2013 17:15

Well 'wad' interestingly enough I see Canaccord have upgraded to buy today and significantly increased their target, well by 12pc, to 101p (from 90p)!

Some standard analyst comments in this article I found today (courtesy of Broker Forecasts).

Doesn't say too much but they obviously see value going into 2013:

[wad collector] 04/1/2013 09:38

Currently heading towards 90p - I think I will unload another aliquot if it passes ; been a good run recently.

[miata] 09/10/2012 10:36

IMS='Stable'.

Which is at least a little better than expectations.

Investec:
This [update] contrasts well with Michael Page's result yesterday.
Whilst we view Hays as less geared into a recovery, it is also less geared in a downturn and this isn't fully reflected in the current valuation, with the discount to peers looking too wide to us. We remain buyers, with our 90p target price unchanged.

[wad collector] 10/9/2012 15:47

Sold out a lump at 80p , seems like an irrational meandering share price and I am happy to make 10% in a fortnight.

[wad collector] 06/9/2012 12:59

Bought a bit early , but this now looks like a share price recovery, the rise is sharp and reasonable volume.

[wad collector] 30/8/2012 10:03

PRELIMINARY RESULTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2012

30 August 2012



GOOD FEE AND PROFIT PERFORMANCE DUE TO STRONG COST CONTROL AND SELECTIVE
INVESTMENT FOR GROWTH

Year ended 30 June Actual LFL(1)
(In GBP's million) 2012 2011 growth growth

Net fees 734.0 672.1 9% 8%
Operating profit (before exceptional items)(2) 128.1 114.1 12% 9%
Cash generated by operations(3) 162.2 97.3 67%
Profit before tax (before exceptional items)(2) 122.4 106.6 15%
Profit before tax 122.4 110.7 11%
Basic earnings per share (before exceptional item)(2) 5.47p 5.19p 5%
Basic earnings per share 5.47p 5.69p (4)%
Dividend per share 2.50p 5.80p (57)%

All numbers are from continuing operations only.

Highlights

· Strong International net fee growth of 16%(1) driving Group net fee growth of 8%(1)

· Good operating profit growth of 9%(1) due to our selective investment approach and
focussed cost control

· Record performance in Continental Europe & Rest of World, delivering 23%(1) net
fee growth

- Broad-based growth, with Germany up 30%(1), Brazil up 30%(1), Canada up 25%(1)
and France up 17%(1)

· Good performance in Asia Pacific, delivering 10%(1) net fee growth with markets
increasingly multi-speed

- Australia & New Zealand net fees up 10%(1), Asia net fees up 11%(1) with
Japan up 16%(1)

· The UK market became increasingly challenging as the year progressed, with net fees
down 7%

- Private sector net fees down 6%. Public sector down 8% but sequentially stable
over the year

- Cost reductions delivered in the second half to protect the financial performance
of the business

· Consultant headcount up 1% year-on-year, but down 4% in the second half, reflecting our
strategy to capitalise on growth markets whilst maximising Group profit

· Excellent cash performance, with 127% conversion of operating profit into operating cash
flow(3)

· 5% growth in basic earnings per share(2) to 5.47p; full year dividend down 57% to 2.50p,
in line with the rebased level announced at the Interim results



Sp down preumably on reduced dividend.no mention of pension fund.
I suspect an overreaction - added at 71.5p.

[wad collector] 16/8/2012 08:15

For more recent investors , here is a story.....


Glad I am recent.

[wad collector] 15/6/2012 12:24

I didn't catch bottom though ; starting to recover again now.I suspect the Euro uncertainty is going to keep this suppressed for a while.

[wad collector] 08/5/2012 15:31

...but I am a good guesser - touched 80p this morning.Bought back in , this share being valued at 10% less than last week seems complete nonsense to me ; happy to trade on it.

[wad collector] 18/4/2012 10:54

80p is a guess.
Fraid I am not a chartist.Nor a Crystal Ball gazer.Nor flying saucers...

[matt123d] 18/4/2012 10:05

80p seems a crystal ball prediction to me.

5dma and bottom of the trend channel at 89p first, until that fails then lower targets can't be contemplated when the stock is in an uptrend. If it was trending lower then a lower target would be feasible.

92.5p and 93.7p are current resistance and the key to higher prices.