Adecco SA / Adecco's revenue momentum is accelerating in most markets processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 

The Group is back to organic revenue growth in March

Q1 HIGHLIGHTS (Q1 2010 versus Q1 2009)


  * Revenues of EUR 4.0 billion, up 7% (-1% organically[1])
  * Gross margin of 18.0%, down 50 bps (-130 bps organically and adjusted[2])
  * SG&A declined by 7% (-11% organically and adjusted)
  * EBITA[3] of EUR 113 million, up 162% (+13% organically and adjusted)
  * EBITA margin at 2.8%, up 30 bps on an adjusted basis
  * DSO improved by 1 day to 54 days in Q1 2010



Key figures Q1 2010

+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+
|                                           |        |Reported|organic/adjusted|
|in EUR millions                            |reported|  growth|          growth|
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+
|Revenues                                   |   3,962|     +7%|             -1%|
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+
|Gross profit                               |     712|     +4%|             -8%|
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+
|EBITA                                      |     113|   +162%|            +13%|
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+
|Operating income                           |     100|   +234%|                |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+
|Net income attributable to Adecco          |      57|   +147%|                |
|shareholders                               |        |        |                |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+----------------+


Zurich, Switzerland, May 6, 2010: Adecco Group, the worldwide leader in Human
Resource services, today announced results for the first quarter of 2010.
Revenues were EUR 4.0 billion in Q1 2010, down 1% on an organic basis. The gross
margin was 18.0%, a decline of 50 bps and down 130 bps organically and adjusted.
Continued strict cost control resulted in an SG&A reduction of 11%, adjusted and
organically. The Q1 2010 EBITA margin was 2.8%, up 30 bps compared with the
adjusted Q1 2009 EBITA margin of 2.5%. DSO improved by 1 day to 54 days in the
first quarter of 2010.

Patrick De Maeseneire, Chief Executive Officer of the Adecco Group, said: "In
the first quarter of 2010, trading conditions improved significantly in most
markets and the revenue decline rate for the Group improved to -1% organically
from -18% in Q4 2009. We saw very good demand progression primarily in the
general staffing segment in our main markets France and North America, where
revenues returned to year-on-year growth in Q1 2010. Pricing remained
competitive, but we maintained our discipline and were able to achieve a gross
margin of 18.0%, also thanks to our increased exposure to professional staffing.
Costs were well controlled in Q1 2010, down 11% organically and adjusted. As a
result, we achieved an EBITA margin of 2.8%, up 30 bps compared to the adjusted
prior year. Looking into the second quarter, we continue to see good revenue
developments in the majority of our markets. We will continue our strong cost
control, which together with our disciplined pricing, position us very well to
take full advantage of the improving economic conditions."

Q1 2010 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Revenues
Group revenues in Q1 2010 were up 7% to EUR 4.0 billion compared to Q1 2009.
Organically, revenues declined by 1%. Permanent placement revenues amounted to
EUR 61 million in Q1 2010, an increase of 17% in constant currency (-5%
organically) and outplacement revenues totalled EUR 63 million, a decline of
26% in constant currency.

Gross Profit

The gross margin in Q1 2010 was 18.0%, a decline of 50 bps compared to the prior
year, and down 130 bps when adjusting Q1 2009 for the new French business tax
law, effective as of January 2010 and excluding acquisitions, which added 40 bps
to the Group's gross margin in Q1 2010. The temporary staffing business had a
negative impact of 70 bps on the gross margin in Q1 2010 and the outplacement
business negatively impacted the gross margin by 60 bps. The impact on gross
margin from the permanent placement business was neutral in Q1 2010.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
In Q1 2010, SG&A declined by 7% compared to Q1 2009. On an adjusted basis and
organically, SG&A was reduced by 11% compared to the prior year's period.
Integration costs amounted to EUR 5 million in Q1 2010. Corporate costs were
negatively impacted by EUR 6 million acquisition related expenses. Organically,
FTE employees were reduced by 15% (-4,800) compared to the first quarter of
2009, while the branch network was reduced by 13% (-790 branches). At the end of
Q1 2010, the Adecco Group operated a network of more than 5,500 offices and had
over 31,000 FTE employees (2,700 FTE employees added from MPS Group).

EBITA
In the period under review, EBITA increased by 162% to EUR 113 million,
resulting in an EBITA margin of 2.8%, compared to 1.2% in the prior year. On an
adjusted basis and organically, EBITA increased by 13% in the quarter under
review. The EBITA margin was up 30 bps in Q1 2010 when compared to the adjusted
Q1 2009 EBITA margin of 2.5%.

Amortisation of Intangible Assets
Amortisation of intangible assets amounted to EUR 13 million in the first
quarter of 2010, unchanged compared to Q1 2009.

Operating Income
In Q1 2010, the Adecco Group reported operating income of EUR 100 million.
Operating income was EUR 30 million in Q1 2009.

Interest Expense and Other Income / (Expenses), net
The interest expense in the period under review amounted to EUR 15 million, EUR
6 million higher than in Q1 2009. Other income / (expenses), net was an expense
of EUR 1 million in Q1 2010 compared to income of EUR 3 million in the first
quarter of 2009. Interest expense is expected to be around EUR 65 million for
the full year 2010.

Provision for Income Taxes
The effective tax rate in Q1 2010 was 32% compared to 3% in Q1 2009. In Q1
2009, the effective tax rate was positively impacted by the successful
resolution of prior year audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations.
The Q1 2010 effective tax rate includes the negative impact from the change in
the business tax law in France. The new French business tax law, effective as of
January 2010, is expected to have a 10% negative impact on the effective tax
rate in 2010.

Net Income attributable to Adecco shareholders and EPS
Net income attributable to Adecco shareholders in Q1 2010 was up 147% to EUR 57
million compared to EUR 23 million in Q1 2009. Basic EPS was EUR 0.30 (EUR 0.13
for Q1 2009).

Cash flow, Net Debt[4] and DSO
The operating cash flow generated in the first quarter of 2010 amounted to EUR
66 million compared to EUR 205 million in the same period last year. The Company
invested EUR 18 million in capital expenditure. Net debt at the end of March
2010 was EUR 898 million compared to EUR 110 million at year end 2009. DSO
improved by 1 day to 54 days in the first quarter of 2010, mainly driven by
France and Italy.

Currency Impact
In Q1 2010, currency fluctuations had only a minor impact on revenues.


GEOGRAPHICAL PERFORMANCE

(The pie charts are visible in the PDF version of the report)

In France, revenues increased by 6% to EUR 1.2 billion in Q1 2010. This compares
to a revenue decline rate of 13% in Q4 2009. EBITA amounted to EUR 32 million in
the quarter under review, an increase of 43% on an adjusted and organic basis.
The EBITA margin was 2.7% in Q1 2010, up 70 bps compared to the adjusted prior
year's first quarter. The impact on Q1 2010 EBITA due to the new business tax in
France, amounted to EUR 15 million in Q1 2010.

Revenues in North America increased by 24% in constant currency to EUR 737
million and were up 2% organically in Q1 2010. Business in general staffing
accelerated significantly, while professional staffing, excluding the
counter-cyclical Human Capital Solutions business, returned to growth. In Q1
2010, the Human Capital Solutions business (outplacement) weakened considerably
compared to the prior year. Excluding the outplacement business, revenues in
North America were up 7% organically. EBITA was flat in constant currency and
down 23% organically. Integration costs related to MPS amounted to EUR 3 million
in Q1 2010. The EBITA margin in Q1 2010 was 4.3%, down 120 bps compared to Q1
2009. Acquisitions added 20 bps to the EBITA margin in Q1 2010.

In the UK & Ireland, revenues in Q1 2010 increased by 55% in constant currency
compared to Q1 2009, but declined by 9% organically. At the EBITA level, the
region posted a profit of EUR 2 million. Integration costs related to MPS and
Spring amounted to EUR 2 million in the quarter under review.

In Japan, Q1 2010 revenues declined by 24% in constant currency to EUR 307
million, mainly due to the large exposure to the late cyclical office segment.
EBITA declined by 38% in constant currency and the EBITA margin was 5.7%, down
130 bps compared to Q1 2009. The revenue decline rate improved slightly
throughout the quarter, while management continued to keep costs and pricing
under tight control.

In Germany & Austria, Q1 2010 revenues decreased by 4% to EUR 263 million. EBITA
in Germany & Austria increased by 269% and the Q1 2010 EBITA margin improved
significantly to 5.1% compared to 1.3% in Q1 2009. In March, the industrial
staffing business grew double-digit.

In Benelux revenues declined by 2% (-6% organically), while in Italy revenues
increased by 1% in the first quarter of 2010. In Q1 2010, revenues in the
Nordics declined by 6% in constant currency, while in Iberia revenues returned
to year-on-year growth of 4%.

Emerging Markets posted strong growth in Q1 2010 with revenues up 19% in
constant currency, driven by Eastern Europe and India. EBITA was up 52% in
constant currency, while the EBITA margin increased by 60 bps to 2.7%.


BUSINESS LINE PERFORMANCE

(The pie charts are visible in the PDF version of the report)

In Q1 2010, Adecco's revenues in the Office & Industrial businesses were EUR
2.7 billion, flat in constant currency and down 1% on an organic basis. In the
Industrial business, revenues were up 5% in constant currency, following a 19%
decline in constant currency in Q4 2009. The improvements of the growth rates
were most pronounced in North America, where the year-on-year revenue trend
improved from -14% in Q4 2009 to +13% in Q1 2010 in constant currency, in France
from -14% to +9%, in Germany & Austria from -34% to -1% and in Italy from -31%
to +1%. In the Office business, revenues declined by 11% in constant currency
(-12% organically), a further improvement compared to the fourth quarter of
2009, where revenues declined by 22% in constant currency. Revenues in Japan
decreased by 24% in constant currency in Q1 2010, following a decline of 28% in
Q4 2009. North America returned back to growth of 10% (+7% organically) in Q1
2010 compared to -11% in Q4 2009 and in the UK & Ireland the revenue decline
rate improved from -16% (-18% organically) in Q4 2009 to -9% (-14% organically)
in Q1 2010, all in constant currency.

The Professional Business[5] revenues in Q1 2010 increased by 29% in constant
currency (-7% organically). The gross margin declined by 480 bps to 25.3%,
mainly driven by the slowing outplacement business.

In Information Technology (IT), Adecco's revenues increased 51% in constant
currency (-7% organically). In North America, revenues in Q1 2010 were up 55%
(-7% organically) and in the UK & Ireland revenues were up 160% (+1%
organically), all in constant currency.

Adecco's Engineering & Technical (E&T) business was up 20% in constant currency
(-1% organically).  Revenues in North America increased by 54% in constant
currency (+19% organically), while revenues in Germany declined by 8% in the
first quarter of 2010.

In Finance & Legal (F&L), revenues increased by 58% in constant currency (-10%
organically). Revenues in North America increased by 52% in constant currency
but declined by 9% organically.

In Q1 2010, revenues in Medical & Science (M&S) increased by 27% (-4%
organically), whereas in Sales, Marketing & Events (SM&E) revenues declined by
5% (-8% organically), both in constant currency. In the quarter under review,
revenues in Human Capital Solutions (HCS) declined by 19%, in constant currency.


MANAGEMENT OUTLOOK

The revenue momentum steadily improved throughout the first quarter of 2010 and
this positive trend continued into April. Revenues in March for the Group
increased approximately 3%, organically and adjusted for business days.

Current developments in the industry clearly point to further revenue
acceleration and management is confident of continued improvements in demand
near term. At the same time, strict pricing and cost control remains at the
forefront of management's priorities, while selective investments in high-growth
segments or markets are carefully evaluated. The integration of Spring and MPS
is well on track and management is confident to achieve the targeted synergies.

The structural cost reductions in the recent downturn, resulted in a leaner
branch network and optimized delivery channels. With the recent acquisitions,
the higher margin professional staffing exposure increased from 21% to 26% of
revenues compared to the prior year, whereas MPS was only consolidated for two
months in Q1 2010. Consequently, Adecco is very well positioned for attractive
operating leverage in the quarters to come, and management is fully committed to
its mid-term EBITA margin target of over 5.5%.



Financial Agenda 2010



  * Annual General Meeting              May 11, 2010
  * Q2 2010 results                          August 11, 2010
  * Adecco Investor Days 2010         September 23-24, 2010
  * Q3 2010 results                          November 9, 2010



Q1 2010 Results Conference Calls

There will be a media conference call at 9 am CET as well as an analyst
conference call at 11 am CET, details of which can be found on our website in
the Investor Relations section at http://webcast.adecco.com



 UK / Global     + 44 (0)207 107 06 11

 United States   + 1 866 291 41 66

 Cont. Europe    + 41 (0)91 610 56 00






Adecco Corporate Investor Relations
Investor.relations@adecco.com  or +41 (0)
44 878 89 89

Adecco Corporate Press Office
Press.office@adecco.com  or +41 (0) 44 878 87 87


Forward-looking statements
Information in this release may involve guidance, expectations, beliefs, plans,
intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this
release are based on information available to Adecco S.A. as of the date of this
release, and we assume no duty to update any such forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this release are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results could differ materially from our current
expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences.
Factors that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include,
among other things: global GDP trends and the demand for temporary work; changes
in regulation of temporary work; intense competition in the markets in which the
Company operates; integration of acquired companies; changes in the Company's
ability to attract and retain qualified internal and external personnel or
clients; the potential impact of disruptions related to IT; any adverse
developments in existing commercial relationships, disputes or legal and tax
proceedings.

About the Adecco Group
The Adecco Group, based in Zurich, Switzerland, is the world's leading provider
of HR solutions. With over 31,000 FTE employees and more than 5,500 offices, in
over 60 countries and territories around the world, Adecco Group offers a wide
variety of services, connecting more than 600,000 colleagues with over 100,000
clients every day. The services offered fall into the broad categories of
temporary staffing, permanent placement, outsourcing, consulting and
outplacement. The Adecco Group is a Fortune Global 500 company.

Adecco S.A. is registered in Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) with listings on
the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN) and on Euronext in France (ADE).


[1] Organic growth is a non US GAAP measure and excludes the impact of currency,
acquisitions and divestitures.
[2] Adjusted is a non US GAAP measure excluding in Q1 2009 the negative impact
on SG&A of EUR 36 million related to restructuring costs and, for better
comparison, excluding in Q1 2009 the French business tax of EUR 14 million in
cost of services and EUR 1 million in SG&A as those business tax components are
shown as income tax as of 2010. Based on the new French business tax law, which
is effective since January 1, 2010, a part of the business tax is computed based
on added value and therefore under US GAAP classified as income tax. For further
details please refer to page 13.
[3] EBITA is a non US GAAP measure and refers to operating income before
amortization of intangible assets.
[4] Net debt is a non US GAAP measure and comprises short-term and long-term
debt less cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
[5] Professional Business refers to Adecco's Information Technology, Engineering
& Technical, Finance & Legal, Medical & Science, Sales, Marketing & Events and
Human Capital Solutions business.





The full report (in English) including tables can be downloaded from the
following link:



[HUG#1412410]



 --- End of Message --- 

Adecco SA
Sagereistrasse 10 Glattbrugg Switzerland

WKN: 922031;ISIN: CH0012138605;
Listed: Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart,
Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin,
Open Market (Freiverkehr) in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse,
Freiverkehr in Bayerische Börse München;


    Press release (English) PDF : http://hugin.info/100102/R/1412410/364659.pdf