Ameriprise Financial Halves Stake in Hays PLC to 4.97%

Key Facts

1Ameriprise Financial disclosed reducing its stake in Hays PLC to 4.97% as of May 19.

2The previous stake held by Ameriprise Financial in Hays PLC was 9.95%.

In a move reflecting a reassessment of investment positions within the British professional services sector, Ameriprise Financial has announced a substantial reduction in its holding in Hays PLC. The firm disclosed cutting its stake to 4.97% effective May 19, down from a previous position of 9.95%. This divestment effectively halves the group's exposure to the global recruitment specialist, moving it below the significant 5% regulatory threshold.

This reduction comes as the UK recruitment sector faces structural headwinds, with peers such as PageGroup and Robert Walters reporting net fee declines of between 10% and 15% in recent updates due to a slowdown in permanent placements. Per market data, wage pressures and sluggish UK economic growth have weighed on recruitment margins, prompting institutional investors to take profits or de-risk their sector exposure amid a cooling labor market.

Investors are closely monitoring support levels for Hays PLC (0HF6.L) following the disclosure. Looking ahead, the market is focused on Governor Bailey’s speech on May 20, 2026, for clues on UK monetary policy and its impact on employment. Additionally, the upcoming UK Services PMI data on May 21, 2026, will serve as a critical catalyst for gauging demand trends in the professional staffing industry.