Hays Share Discussion Threads

[essentialinvestor] 12/10/2023 23:15

Hi Dave, on FY pre tax, current consensus is around £153 Million.
I don't have an operating profit number. Thanks again.

[disc0dave46] 12/10/2023 18:57

....wouldn't be far offBloody phone

[disc0dave46] 12/10/2023 18:51

Just read again.They say FY24 has begun in line but then later in their outlook say:"As a reminder, given that Group net fees will decline year-on-year in H1 FY24, in part due to the FX and working day impacts noted above, we continue to expect conversion rate and operating profit will also decline, as we protect key strategic investments to benefit from future recovery and structural growth opportunities."The fx working day hit was stated as £7.5m off last years op profit of £197. So say £189m, but are further reductions also forecast as comment above?, so what was forecast at start of FY24 and what's forecast now?, it's unclear to me tbh. I'd say £180m?. would be be too far off but wtfdik.

[disc0dave46] 12/10/2023 18:42

No problem, sorry didn't have too much time to research further.What is the forecast op profit for HAS?. Seems like they've possibly clouded over announcing a pw unlike PAGE but don't know what their f/cast op profit was, just the comment that it will decline and no comment as to whether or not they will hit forecasts (again I've only quickly looked so apologies if I'm wrong and didn't see it).Sod's Law I meant to sell PAGE before yesterdays Q3 results as expected a profit warning but got distracted......then it fell.Conversely the other month I sold my JD shares before results as expected a profit warning but an in line......it shot up. DohDifficult markets at the moment!

[essentialinvestor] 12/10/2023 17:58

Thanks Dave, appreciate the view and reply.

[disc0dave46] 12/10/2023 17:51

Hi EILooks to be a similar story at PAGE (I hold). Main issue decline in permanent fee incomes. Noted HAS down 7% in Q1 but they are saying in line for the year - but there will continue to be a decline in op profit but they don't say how much (only read quickly so apologies if missed it). PAGE on the other hand in their recent Q3 update reduced this FY forecast op profit by 7.6% which virtually aligned with reduction in fee income, so would guess the same for HAS? (is their op profit this FY going to be circa £180m?). Both have increased earnings though for their respective next FY period (PAGE +11% to +16%, HAS +24%) so given different 12m FY periods it looks like things are expected to pick up in the next FY.

[essentialinvestor] 11/10/2023 22:08

Can they avoid an FY guidance cut tomorrow..?.

[lyceeuk] 24/8/2023 06:32

Final results div up 5% plus special

[prokartace] 12/7/2023 14:05

Hello me again. Traded in and out for 5% but no idea how the business is

[gswredland] 14/4/2023 15:58

Thanks Kalai

[kalai1] 14/4/2023 11:36

Hays plc issued a Q3 trading update for the 3 months January-March 2023 this morning. Total net fees were up 10% on the quarter with like-for-like fees up 5% to a new record. Headcount was down 2% in the quarter and up 4% YoY. Management expect overall headcount will be broadly flat in Q4 as the Group continues to focus on driving productivity. H2 FY23 operating profit is expected to be modestly higher than in H1, net cash was c.£80 million. Valuation looks decent with forward PE at a little under 14x mid-range for the Professional & Commercial Services market, PS ratio at 0.25x is top quartile. Share price lacks positive momentum and the macro outlook remains unfavourable in 2023. There appears to be no rush to buy just yet, particularly with the UK economy expected to slide into recession in 2023, but Hays is a solid recruiter worth monitoring for the longer run...

...from WealthOracle

[lyceeuk] 21/3/2023 07:07

Why is it that as the shares are getting cheaper by the day the share buyback buys less and less??

[deadly] 17/1/2023 10:32

Continuing good performance in the TU today.

[prokartace] 12/1/2023 16:09

Hi only trading after a quick 10% drop but feeling a bit like there is no help on this thread. No worries I will be gone shortly and leave you all? to your selves

[kalai1] 13/10/2022 10:49

hxxps://wealthoracle.co.uk/detailed-result-full/HAS/580

[kalai1] 13/10/2022 10:48

Hays Group issued its Q1 trading update this morning reporting growth in net fees of 19% with 3 of 4 regions posting double digit growth. Group consultant headcount was up 2% in the quarter and up 19% YoY. The balance sheet remains strong with net cash position of c.£185 million in line with expectations, driven by a solid cash performance and after c.£40 million in share buybacks in the quarter. The Board is committed to returning significant cash to shareholders who will vote on a proposed £121.2 million special dividend in November. Valuation is reasonable with forward PE ratio at 11.0x, PS ratio at 0.25x is even more attractive. Share price has been attempting to put in a floor since the summer, but still lacks positive momentum for now. The macro environment remains the main cloud for job creation and the recruiters generally. Other than that, HAS is a solid, reasonable investment. Dividend yield at 3.8% is decent although a little below its direct competitors. Certainly a share worth monitoring for now, but no particular rush to buy...

...from WealthOracle

hxxps://wealthoracle.co.uk/detailed-result-full/HAS/580

[hyden] 29/9/2022 08:22

Yes, according to my records.

[gswredland] 29/9/2022 07:36

Did it go ex dividend today please?

[essentialinvestor] 26/8/2022 12:12

Fwiw I completely disagree with the BOD decision to pay a special dividend.

Having gone cap in hand to shareholders in 2020,
the focus now needs to be building a strong balance sheet buffer in case of much
tougher conditions ahead. Any decision on paying a special could have waited to
see how 2023 looks to be developing.

[mirandaj] 25/8/2022 12:02

Job Curtis of City of London Investment Trust has been buying Hays (HAS):

Aug 23, 2022 Job Curtis, manager of the City of London Investment Trust, talks to interactive investor’s collectives editor Kyle Caldwell. The pair discuss how the trust’s heavy bias towards FTSE 100 stocks has paid off so far in 2022, and three recent new purchases, which were made to take advantage of volatility.

[longshanks] 25/8/2022 07:05

Very good. Solid cash generation with lots of money being returned to shareholders.

[gswredland] 25/8/2022 07:00

Results look good!