Hays tops quarterly net fee forecasts on strong US, Asia growth

Hays: Hays is a global recruitment company that places candidates in temporary, contracting, and permanent roles across multiple markets. In the reported quarter, it outperformed analyst expectations because growth in the United States and Asia partly offset weaker permanent-placement activity in Northern Europe, while the company continued discussions to exit several regional businesses. Nithyashree R B: Nithyashree R B is a Reuters journalist based in Bengaluru who covers U.S. and U.K. companies and breaking business news. She reported the Hays quarterly update described in the news item. Sherry Jacob-Phillips: Sherry Jacob-Phillips is a Reuters desk editor on the Global News Desk, responsible for editing and fact-checking financial, economic, and market-related coverage. She edited the Reuters report on Hays. Sector_Trends: Temporary and contracting recruitment has held up better than permanent hiring, consistent with employers seeking more flexible staffing arrangements in uncertain labor markets. Recruitment_Market: Hays's results indicate that recruitment demand remains uneven, with stronger conditions in the United States and parts of Asia contrasting with continued weakness in Northern Europe. Business_Restructuring: Hays is pursuing a portfolio review that includes potential exits from several country operations, reflecting efforts to simplify its geographic footprint amid uneven trading conditions.