Randstad shares track best day in over two decades after Q3 beat

By Reuters News07:54 (UTC), 21 October 2026 Updated

** Randstad shares leap 16%, topping pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX, after the recruitment firm beat the market view on both sales and profit

** Its Q3 organic revenue rises 3.9%, ahead of the 2.9% consensus forecast, while underlying EBITA at €211 million ($237 million), beats the €200 million market view

** KBC Securities says a gross margin in line with expectations, at 17.8%, means the stronger revenue growth flows carries through to the rest of the income statement

** KBC adds the results should make up for share weakness following disappointing results at peer Manpower MAN.N last week; between Oct. 15 and Tuesday's close, Randstad shares lost about 4.4%

** Jefferies says revenue momentum should continue to exceed expectations in Q4, although a softer gross margin could limit further upside

** Shares are on track for their best day in 24 years

** Peer Adecco ADEN.S rises 7.6%

($1 = 0.8913 euros)