Hays Plc’s shares fell to their lowest levels in almost 17 years after the British company reported weak activity in the fourth quarter, citing “broad-based weakness” in permanent recruitment markets globally caused by macroeconomic uncertainty.
The stock dropped as much as 20% in London, the sharpest intraday decline since June 2016 and touching the lowest since October 2008. The weakness rubbed off on peers, with Pagegroup Plc tumbling as much as 8.7% and Randstad NV and Adecco Group AG also sliding.
Governments and companies worldwide are struggling to assess the impact US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs will have ...
