Recruitment shares fared better than they have in months, with a majority increasing in value or remaining static. As Recruiter went to press, Spring Group shares had risen 4% or 2p, to reach a value of 51.5p, after it announced a 23% growth in net fee income to £56.1m for the year ended 31 December 2007, compared to £45.8m in 2006. Its pre-tax profit rose 31% to £7.1m in 2007, compared to £5.4m in 2006.

Imprint's share price rose 3.5p to reach 113p after Premier Group said that it has submitted a possible all cash offer proposal for the company. Meanwhile, OPD Group's share price fell 10.5p to reach 179.5p; however, Hydrogen's share price remained at 214p following the announcement.

Hays' share price fell 5.5p to 109.5p on the day it revealed a 23% growth in net fee income to £374.8m and its pre-tax profit was £122.7m for the six months ended 31 December 2007.

Technology and telecoms recruiter Networkers International shares rose 1.5p to 27.5p as it reported an increase in gross margins and strong cash flow over the past six months of the year.

Pinnacle Staffing's shares remained unchanged as it informed shareholders that it has selected Nasstar to provide cloud computing — the system enables Pinnacle's staff to access their computer and software applications over the internet. Technology recruiter Matchtech's shares also remained unchanged at 309.5p after it reported slight changes in its financial results for the year ended 31 July, following changed accounting procedures from UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (UK GAAP) to International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).