Adecco: Speculation mounts over SThree deal

Fri, 20 Mar 2009

Rumours have escalated over international recruiter Adecco’s targeting of multi-sector staffing firm SThree, following an article published in Recruiter, 18 March.

The Times reports that Kean Marden, analyst at Singer and Recruiter City columnist, believes that due to a weakened sterling and with the euro likely to fall soon, now could be an opportune time for Adecco to bid.

The speculation follows Recruiter editor DeeDee Doke’s interview with Adecco chief executive Dieter Scheiff (pictured) in the last edition of Recruiter.

Marden adds that Adecco could pay between 250p and 300p per share – up to £400m – and meet its internal targets for growing value.

Within the first hour of trading this morning, SThree’s share price was up 8.5p to 190p on the previous day’s trading.

Recruiter contacted Adecco and SThree but both parties declined to comment on the rumours.