Hays plc, the world’s sixth-largest staffing firms, reported net fees, or gross profit, rose 8% in its fiscal second quarter ended Dec. 31. The UK-based firm cited strong growth in Germany, its largest market. Second-quarter gross profit rose 15% in Germany, where there were two additional trading days in the most-recent quarter, and 10% in its “rest of world” category.

On a “like-for-like” basis, gross profit rose 9%. The UK-based firm defines “like-for-like” as organic growth of continuing operations in constant currency.

Net fees (gross profit) by geography

Hays’ “rest of world” category posted a 10% increase in gross profit on a like-for-like basis. Gross profit in France, the company’s largest market in the rest of world category, rose 3% like for like. On the other hand, in its second-largest rest of world market, the US, gross profit rose 10% like for like. Canadian gross profit was up 28% like for like.

Both temp and perm businesses reported 9% growth like for like, representing 58% and 42% of net fees respectively.

Quote

“While activity levels at the start of the New Year will be an important driver of the group’s second-half performance, and we remain mindful of macroeconomic conditions, the outlook is good across most international markets,” Chief Executive Alistair Cox said.

Share price and market cap

Hays shares closed up 3.74% to £146.90; the company had a market cap of £2.06 billion, according to FT.com.