Hays boosted by its overseas performance

RECRUITMENT firm Hays has shaken off worries about the world economy to forecast better-than-expected profits for the year thanks to growth in overseas markets.

The company was the FTSE 250’s top riser yesterday, its shares trading 8.6pc higher at 207.6p on the back of strong fourth-quarter results. Its net fees rose 15pc year-on-year thanks to solid growth in international markets including Germany and Australia. Despite economic uncertainty still hanging over the UK, the region grew a modest 4pc on an underlying basis.