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Hays PLC (GB:HAS)
LSE:HAS

Hays plc (HAS) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:HAS

Hays plc

(LSE:HAS)

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Neutral 46 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:46Neutral
Price Target:
53.00p
▼(-2.75% Downside)
The overall stock score for Hays plc is primarily impacted by weak financial performance and technical indicators. The company's negative revenue growth and profitability issues weigh heavily on the score. Technical analysis shows a bearish trend, further contributing to a lower score. Valuation concerns, highlighted by a negative P/E ratio, also negatively impact the score. While corporate events show management confidence, they do not significantly alter the overall assessment.
Positive Factors
Cash Flow Management
Hays plc's robust free cash flow growth of 18.91% indicates strong cash generation capabilities, which enhances financial stability and supports long-term operational needs.
Global Presence
Hays plc's vast network of offices worldwide strengthens its market position by accessing diverse talent pools, which is crucial for sustained growth in the recruitment industry.
Strategic Partnerships
By leveraging strategic partnerships, Hays plc can efficiently source candidates, improving service delivery and competitive advantage in the staffing sector.
Negative Factors
Revenue Decline
The decline in revenue reflects challenges in maintaining market share or client demand, which could impact long-term growth and profitability if not addressed.
Profitability Challenges
Hays plc's negative net profit margin indicates operational inefficiencies and challenges in cost management, which could hinder sustainable profitability.
Leverage Concerns
Moderate leverage, while manageable, suggests potential financial strain, limiting flexibility for strategic investments and growth initiatives.

Hays plc (HAS) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Hays plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHays plc (HAS) is a leading global recruitment company headquartered in the UK, specializing in the placement of candidates in permanent, temporary, and contract positions across various sectors. The company operates in multiple markets, including IT, engineering, finance, healthcare, and construction, providing tailored staffing solutions to clients and a wide range of job opportunities for professionals worldwide.
How the Company Makes MoneyHays generates revenue primarily through its recruitment services, which includes fees charged to clients for successfully placing candidates in open positions. The company earns money from both permanent and temporary staffing solutions, with permanent placements typically yielding higher fees. Additionally, Hays benefits from ongoing relationships with clients, allowing for repeat business and potential upselling of services such as talent acquisition consulting and workforce management solutions. The company also capitalizes on its extensive global network and expertise in various sectors to attract high-quality candidates and meet the demands of its clients effectively. Key partnerships with organizations in different industries bolster its reputation and expand its market reach, contributing significantly to its overall earnings.

Hays plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Hays plc faces challenges in revenue growth and profitability, with negative revenue growth and net profit margins. The balance sheet shows moderate leverage but highlights concerns about profitability with a negative return on equity. Cash flow performance is a positive aspect, with strong free cash flow growth and effective cash management.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Hays plc has experienced a decline in revenue over the past year, with a negative revenue growth rate of -2.50%. The company also shows a negative net profit margin of -0.12%, indicating a loss. However, the gross profit margin is slightly positive at 0.37%, suggesting some ability to cover direct costs. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are low at 0.24% and 1.18%, respectively, reflecting challenges in operational efficiency and profitability.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67 indicates moderate leverage, which is manageable but higher than previous years. The return on equity is negative at -1.67%, reflecting recent losses. However, the equity ratio is relatively stable, suggesting a reasonable proportion of equity financing. The balance sheet shows some stability but highlights concerns about profitability and leverage.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Hays plc has shown a positive free cash flow growth rate of 18.91%, indicating improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.10, suggesting that cash flow generation is not strongly aligned with net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 0.93, indicating effective cash management despite net losses. Overall, cash flow performance is a relative strength for the company.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.61B6.61B6.95B7.58B5.65B6.59B
Gross Profit943.10M24.70M292.60M426.80M292.30M421.40M
EBITDA63.90M78.20M87.10M218.90M116.70M232.90M
Net Income-7.80M-7.80M-4.90M138.30M61.50M154.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.77B1.77B1.78B1.90B1.87B2.08B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments168.50M168.50M121.80M145.60M410.60M296.20M
Total Debt312.20M312.20M244.30M199.80M201.10M185.10M
Total Liabilities1.30B1.30B1.22B1.23B1.00B1.28B
Stockholders Equity466.70M466.70M557.60M670.30M871.80M796.20M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow99.00M95.60M72.40M134.90M-13.70M146.80M
Operating Cash Flow106.00M102.60M95.80M164.00M5.10M171.20M
Investing Cash Flow-22.70M-22.70M-20.20M-30.10M-18.80M-24.40M
Financing Cash Flow-65.30M-65.30M-98.80M-280.70M-56.40M-269.40M

Hays plc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price54.50
Price Trends
50DMA
57.07
Negative
100DMA
58.28
Negative
200DMA
64.91
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.01
Negative
RSI
46.01
Neutral
STOCH
70.73
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:HAS, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 54.5 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 54.87, below the 50-day MA of 57.07, and below the 200-day MA of 64.91, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.01 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 46.01 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 70.73 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:HAS.

Hays plc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
£233.51M8.4312.99%6.45%-13.93%-48.74%
71
Outperform
£52.78M13.8744.68%1.44%
71
Outperform
£30.26M13.466.45%3.26%2.40%1101.69%
64
Neutral
£739.03M61.744.81%7.39%-12.54%-76.55%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
53
Neutral
£88.47M-5.78-11.22%12.88%-14.31%-361.93%
46
Neutral
£875.53M-111.22-1.52%2.28%-4.92%-58.06%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:HAS
Hays plc
54.50
-20.27
-27.11%
GB:GATC
Gattaca
92.00
9.83
11.96%
GB:PAGE
PageGroup
231.60
-83.32
-26.46%
GB:RWA
Robert Walters
130.00
-163.43
-55.70%
GB:STAF
Staffline
45.90
23.40
104.00%
GB:STEM
SThree plc
183.40
-64.55
-26.03%

Hays plc Corporate Events

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Hays plc Updates on Share Capital and Voting Rights
Neutral
Dec 1, 2025

Hays plc announced that as of November 30, 2025, its issued share capital consisted of 1,600,433,092 Ordinary shares, with 1,297,441 shares held in treasury, resulting in 1,599,135,651 total voting rights. This figure is crucial for shareholders to determine notification requirements under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, impacting how stakeholders manage their interests in the company’s share capital.

Executive/Board Changes
Hays plc Executive Share Transaction Announcement
Neutral
Nov 21, 2025

Hays plc announced a transaction involving Matthew Dickason, CEO of APAC, who acquired and subsequently sold 214,264 ordinary shares of the company. This transaction, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflects the vesting of an award under the Performance Share Plan, highlighting the company’s ongoing executive compensation strategies.

Shareholder Meetings
Hays plc 2025 AGM Resolutions Passed with Shareholder Engagement to Follow
Neutral
Nov 19, 2025

Hays plc announced that all resolutions were passed at its 2025 Annual General Meeting, with both ordinary and special resolutions receiving the requisite majority votes. Notably, resolutions 16 and 18 received less than 80% approval, prompting the Board to engage with shareholders to address their concerns. This engagement will be reported in the company’s 2026 Annual Report, reflecting Hays’ commitment to shareholder communication and governance.

Business Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Director Acquires Shares, Signaling Confidence
Positive
Nov 11, 2025

Hays plc announced a transaction involving Anthony Kirby, a Non-Executive Director, who purchased 10,000 ordinary shares of the company at a price of £0.58279113 per share on the London Stock Exchange. This transaction reflects a strategic move by a key stakeholder, potentially indicating confidence in the company’s future performance and market position.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays CEO Takes Medical Leave; Leadership Transition in Place
Neutral
Nov 10, 2025

Hays plc announced that its CEO, Dirk Hahn, is on medical leave following surgery, with a positive recovery expected to see him return early next year. During his absence, Group Chair Michael Findlay will assume the role of Executive Chair, working with the management team to maintain the company’s strategic and commercial objectives, ensuring continuity in leadership and operations.

Stock Buyback
Hays plc Completes Treasury Share Purchase Programme
Positive
Nov 6, 2025

Hays plc has completed its treasury share purchase programme, acquiring 200,000 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its initiative announced in October 2025. This transaction is expected to enhance shareholder value by holding the purchased shares in treasury, impacting the company’s share capital structure and potentially influencing its market positioning.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executes Share Buyback to Enhance Capital Management
Positive
Nov 5, 2025

Hays plc has repurchased 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its ongoing treasury share purchase program. This transaction, executed through UBS AG, reflects the company’s strategy to manage its capital structure effectively, potentially enhancing shareholder value by holding these shares in treasury.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executes Share Buyback as Part of Treasury Programme
Neutral
Nov 4, 2025

Hays plc has repurchased 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its treasury share purchase programme. This move is part of their strategy to manage their capital structure, holding these shares in treasury, which impacts their total shares in issue and potentially influences shareholder value.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Hays plc Announces Updated Share Capital and Voting Rights
Neutral
Nov 3, 2025

Hays plc announced that as of October 31, 2025, its issued share capital consisted of 1,600,433,092 ordinary shares, with 3,679,397 held in treasury, resulting in 1,596,753,695 total voting rights. This figure is crucial for shareholders to determine their notification obligations under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, impacting how they manage their interests in the company’s share capital.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Expands Treasury Share Holdings with Recent Purchase
Positive
Nov 3, 2025

Hays plc has repurchased 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its ongoing treasury share purchase program. This move is intended to manage the company’s capital structure and potentially enhance shareholder value, reflecting a strategic approach to its financial management.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Enhances Capital Strategy with Share Repurchase
Neutral
Oct 31, 2025

Hays plc has repurchased 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its treasury share purchase programme. This move is part of the company’s strategy to manage its capital structure and potentially enhance shareholder value by holding these shares in treasury, which may impact the company’s market positioning and stakeholder interests.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executes Share Buyback to Enhance Capital Management
Neutral
Oct 30, 2025

Hays plc has repurchased 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its treasury share purchase program. The shares will be held in treasury, bringing the total number of treasury shares to 3,279,397, with 1,597,153,695 shares remaining in issue. This move is part of the company’s strategy to manage its capital structure and potentially enhance shareholder value.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executes Share Buyback to Strengthen Capital Structure
Positive
Oct 28, 2025

Hays plc has repurchased 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange as part of its treasury share purchase programme. This move is part of a strategic effort to manage its capital structure, potentially enhancing shareholder value and signaling confidence in the company’s financial health.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executes Share Buyback Programme
Positive
Oct 24, 2025

Hays plc has executed a share buyback program, purchasing 200,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 60.5377 pence per share. This move is part of its treasury share purchase programme, indicating a strategic effort to manage its capital structure and potentially enhance shareholder value.

Shareholder MeetingsStock Buyback
Hays plc Initiates £2 Million Share Buyback Programme
Neutral
Oct 22, 2025

Hays plc has announced a share buyback programme to purchase up to 2,000,000 ordinary shares, with a total consideration of £2 million. This initiative aims to ensure sufficient treasury shares for employee share plans and will be conducted by UBS AG London Branch. The programme is set to begin on 23 October 2025 and conclude by 31 December 2025, pending shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Hays plc Releases First Quarter Trading Statement for 2025
Neutral
Oct 10, 2025

Hays plc has released its First Quarter Trading Statement for the period ending 30 September 2025, which is now available for public access. This update is crucial for stakeholders as it provides insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic positioning in the recruitment industry, potentially impacting investor decisions and market perception.

Shareholder MeetingsFinancial Disclosures
Hays plc Releases 2025 Annual Report and AGM Notice
Neutral
Oct 6, 2025

Hays plc has announced the publication of its Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending June 30, 2025, along with the Notice of its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). These documents have been distributed to shareholders and are available for inspection online. The AGM is scheduled for November 19, 2025, at a new venue in London. This announcement ensures transparency and keeps stakeholders informed about the company’s financial performance and upcoming governance events.

Business Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executive Invests in Company Shares
Positive
Oct 3, 2025

Hays plc announced that Mark Dearnley, the Chief Digital and Technology Officer, has made an on-market purchase of 170,000 ordinary shares at £0.565800 each on the London Stock Exchange. This transaction reflects a significant investment by a key executive, potentially indicating confidence in the company’s future performance and strategic direction.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Hays plc Updates Share Capital and Voting Rights
Neutral
Oct 1, 2025

Hays plc announced that as of September 30, 2025, its issued share capital consisted of 1,600,433,092 ordinary shares, with 2,279,397 held in treasury, resulting in 1,598,153,695 total voting rights. This figure is crucial for shareholders to determine their notification requirements under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, impacting how they manage their interests in the company’s share capital.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Awards Shares to Executives Under Performance Plan
Positive
Sep 25, 2025

Hays plc announced the granting of awards over ordinary shares to key executives under the company’s Performance Share Plan. This move involves the allocation of shares to CEO Dirk Hahn, CFO James Hilton, and several members of the Executive Leadership Team, reflecting the company’s strategy to incentivize and retain top management. The awards, which are part of a structured plan, aim to align the interests of the executives with the company’s long-term performance goals, potentially impacting the company’s operational focus and stakeholder confidence.

Other
Hays plc Executives Sell Shares Following Performance Awards
Neutral
Sep 18, 2025

Hays plc has announced the sale of ordinary shares by several members of its executive leadership team, including CEO Dirk Hahn, following the release of awards granted under the Performance Share Plan. These transactions, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, involve the sale of a total of 151,020 shares at a price of £0.575138 each. This move may reflect personal financial decisions by the executives and could have implications for the company’s stock market perception and stakeholder confidence.

Business Operations and Strategy
Hays plc Executives Acquire Shares Following Performance Plan Vesting
Neutral
Sep 15, 2025

Hays plc announced the acquisition of ordinary shares by its CEO and several Executive Leadership Team members following the vesting of awards under the Performance Share Plan. These transactions, conducted on the London Stock Exchange, reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to aligning management interests with shareholder value, potentially impacting its market positioning and stakeholder relations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025