Shares digital

Hays (HAS) 107.8p

The UK’s largest recruiter posts a 22% increase in first-half pre-tax profit. (Read the full story: www.sharesmagazine.com/node/3413)

Shares says: Sentiment towards the recruitment sector is in the doldrums amid economic outlook worries, and that is holding share prices back. HOLD

The Times says: Management will have to get a grip on its slowing British business, 60% of its revenue, or it may find Manpower looming with an opportunistic bid.

Telegraph says: Hays remains a good long-term proposition – the shares are cheap, trading on 9.2 times full-year 2008 earnings in June – but it’s too soon to start buying again in earnest.

The City says: Even if the UK shows no better growth than in the first half, the group looks set to comfortably match full-year forecasts with something to spare.