Hays Stock Surges as Royal Bank Of Canada Lifts Price Target
Hays PLC's stock price rose on August 24, 2026, following an upgrade from Royal Bank Of Canada, which lifted its price target to 85 pence and maintained an outperform rating.
The bank cited growing confidence in Hays' Momentum strategy, which focuses on sharpening discipline around costs, improving productivity across the consultant base, and selectively leaning into higher-margin niches within professional recruitment.
Royal Bank Of Canada's note also highlighted three valuation scenarios for Hays: a central case projecting steady progress under the Momentum strategy, an upside scenario anticipating stronger execution and end-market conditions, and a downside scenario predicting weakening earnings.
The bank made minor adjustments to its underlying earnings forecasts, trimming adjusted earnings per share estimates by 3% for 2027 and 2% for 2028.