Adecco SA / Adecco delivers double-digit revenue growth in Q2 2010 processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 

Strong improvement in profitability while pricing is stabilising

Q2 HIGHLIGHTS (Q2 2010 versus Q2 2009)

  * Revenues of EUR 4.6 billion, up 29% (+13% organically[1])
  * Gross margin of 17.8%, equal to Q2 2009 (-110 bps organically and
    adjusted[2])
  * SG&A increased by 8% (flat organically and adjusted)
  * EBITA[3] of EUR 175 million before integration costs (+46% organically and
    adjusted)
  * EBITA margin at 3.8%, up 100 bps on an adjusted basis and excluding
    integration costs
  * DSO at 53 days in Q2 2010, equal to Q2 2009

Key figures Q2 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            reported   reported organic/adjusted
in EUR millions                                          growth           growth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                       4,646       +29%             +13%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                     825       +29%              +6%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITA before integration costs                   175      +453%             +46%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITA                                            168      +430%             +39%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income/(loss)                          154       n.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income/(loss) attributable to Adecco          97       n.m.
shareholders


Zurich, Switzerland, August 11, 2010: Adecco Group, the worldwide leader in
Human Resource services, today announced results for the second quarter of
2010. Revenues were EUR 4.6 billion in Q2 2010, an increase of 13% on an organic
basis. The gross margin was 17.8%, equal to the prior year's second quarter and
down 110 bps organically and adjusted. SG&A increased by 8% and remained flat
organically and adjusted. The Q2 2010 EBITA margin before integration costs was
3.8%, up 100 bps compared with the adjusted Q2 2009 EBITA margin of 2.8%. DSO
were at 53 days in the second quarter of 2010, equal to Q2 2009.

Patrick De Maeseneire, Chief Executive Officer of the Adecco Group, said:
"Business conditions in Q2 2010 improved considerably. We delivered strong
growth in our main markets France and North America. Also Germany, Italy,
Nordics and the Emerging Markets posted strong double-digit revenue growth.
Demand was particularly strong in the industrial segment, but also our
professional staffing business returned to growth in the second quarter. As
expected, pricing in the temporary staffing business is stabilising and we
achieved a gross margin of 17.8% in Q2 2010, thanks to continued strict price
discipline and our increased exposure to professional staffing. Costs were
tightly controlled in Q2 2010 and remained flat organically and adjusted. As a
result, we achieved an EBITA margin before integration costs of 3.8%, an
improvement of 100 bps compared to the adjusted prior year. To date, we see no
evidence of a slowdown in our business and demand is robust across most markets.
Revenue growth in June was approximately 16%, organically and adjusted for
trading days. While keeping a tight grip on costs and pricing, we are very well
positioned to take advantage of the current growth opportunities."

Q2 2010 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Revenues
Group revenues in Q2 2010 were up 29% to EUR 4.6 billion compared to Q2 2009.
Organically, revenues increased by 13%. Permanent placement revenues amounted to
EUR 77 million in Q2 2010, an increase of 70% in constant currency (+27%
organically) and outplacement revenues totalled EUR 60 million, a decline of
30% in constant currency.

Gross Profit
The gross margin in Q2 2010 was 17.8%, equal to the prior year's second quarter,
and down 110 bps when adjusting Q2 2009 for the new French business tax law,
effective as of January 2010 and excluding acquisitions, which added 70 bps to
the Group's gross margin in Q2 2010. The temporary staffing business had a
negative impact of 60 bps on the gross margin in Q2 2010 and the outplacement
business negatively impacted the gross margin by 70 bps. The permanent placement
business positively impacted the gross margin by 20 bps in Q2 2010.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
In Q2 2010, SG&A increased by 8% compared to Q2 2009. Adjusted and organically
SG&A remained flat compared to the prior year's period and increased
sequentially by 3% on an organic basis. Integration costs amounted to EUR 7
million in Q2 2010. Organically, FTE employees decreased by 7% (-2,100) compared
to the second quarter of 2009. Sequentially and on an organic basis FTE
employees increased by 1%, mainly due to hirings in the Emerging Markets. The
branch network was reduced by 11% (-640 branches). At the end of Q2 2010, the
Adecco Group operated a network of more than 5,500 branches and had over 31,000
FTE employees.

EBITA
In the period under review, EBITA was EUR 168 million compared with EUR 32
million reported in Q2 2009. The second quarter 2010 EBITA margin was 3.6%,
compared to 0.9% in the prior year. EBITA before integration costs was EUR 175
million. On an adjusted basis and organically, EBITA excluding integration costs
increased by 46% in the quarter under review, and the EBITA margin was 3.8% up
100 bps in Q2 2010 when compared to the adjusted Q2 2009 EBITA margin of 2.8%.

Amortisation and Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Amortisation of intangible assets amounted to EUR 14 million in the second
quarter of 2010, compared to EUR 13 million in Q2 2009. In addition, in Q2 2009
the Adecco Group impaired EUR 192 million on goodwill and intangible assets.

Operating Income/(Loss)
In Q2 2010, the Adecco Group reported operating income of EUR 154 million. In Q2
2009, the Adecco Group reported an operating loss of EUR 173 million, impacted
by impairment charges on goodwill and intangible assets of EUR 192 million.

Interest Expense and Other Income / (Expenses), net
The interest expense in the period under review amounted to EUR 16 million, EUR
1 million higher than in Q2 2009. Other income / (expenses), net was income of
EUR 2 million in Q2 2010 compared to income of EUR 1 million in the second
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 Q2 2010 was 30% compared to 21% in Q2 2009. The Q2
2010 effective tax rate includes the impact from the change in the French
business tax law, which led to an increase of the effective tax rate by 10
percentage points. This was partly offset by the positive impact from the
successful resolution of prior years' audits and the expiration of statutes of
limitations. The effective tax rate in Q2 2009 was positively impacted by the
change in the mix of earnings and the successful resolution of prior years'
audits substantially offset by the negative impact of the goodwill impairment
charge which was not tax deductible.

Net Income/(Loss) attributable to Adecco shareholders and EPS
Net income attributable to Adecco shareholders in Q2 2010 was EUR 97 million
compared to a net loss of EUR 147 million in the second quarter of 2009. Basic
EPS was EUR 0.51 (a loss of EUR 0.85 for Q2 2009).

Cash flow, Net Debt[4] and DSO
The operating cash flow generated in the first half of 2010 amounted to EUR 30
million compared to EUR 282 million in the same period last year. The Group paid
dividends of EUR 91 million and invested EUR 45 million in capital expenditure.
Net debt at the end of June 2010 was EUR 1,069 million compared to EUR 110
million at year end 2009. The increase in net debt is mainly a consequence of
the purchase price consideration for MPS Group. DSO were 53 days in the second
quarter of 2010, equal to Q2 2009.

Currency Impact
In Q2 2010, currency fluctuations had a positive impact on revenues of
approximately 4%.

GEOGRAPHICAL PERFORMANCE


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

In Q2 2010, revenues in France increased by 20% to EUR 1.4 billion. EBITA was
EUR 53 million in the quarter under review, which compares to a loss of EUR 10
million in Q2 2009. On an adjusted and organic basis EBITA increased by 52%. The
EBITA margin was 3.8% in Q2 2010, up 80 bps compared to the adjusted prior
year's second quarter. The impact on Q2 2010 EBITA due to the new business tax
law in France was EUR 18 million.


North America recorded a 51% constant currency revenue increase in Q2 2010 to
EUR 925 million. Organically, revenues were up 15%. General staffing generated
25% organic revenue growth, while professional staffing, excluding the
counter-cyclical outplacement business, also returned to solid double-digit
revenue growth on an organic basis. In Q2 2010, the outplacement business
weakened considerably compared to the prior year, but profitability held up very
well. Excluding the outplacement business, revenues in North America were up
21% organically. EBITA was up 44% in constant currency and down 4% organically.
Integration costs related to MPS amounted to EUR 3 million in Q2 2010. The EBITA
margin in Q2 2010 was 4.9%, down 30 bps compared to Q2 2009. Acquisitions added
50 bps to the EBITA margin in Q2 2010.

In the UK & Ireland, revenues in Q2 2010 increased by 84% in constant currency
to EUR 411 million, but declined by 3% organically. EBITA was EUR 5 million in
the quarter under review. Integration costs related to MPS and Spring amounted
to EUR 4 million in Q2 2010.

In Japan, Q2 2010 revenues declined by 14% in constant currency to EUR 314
million. EBITA declined by 45% in constant currency and the EBITA margin was
5.2% compared to 8.2% in Q2 2009. Demand remained subdued also impacted by
Adecco's large exposure to the late cyclical office segment, but costs remained
well controlled.

In Germany & Austria, Q2 2010 revenues were up 21% (+20% organically)
year-on-year to EUR 290 million, which compares to a revenue decline rate of 4%
in Q1 2010.  Germany & Austria generated EBITA of EUR 14 million in Q2 2010, a
significant improvement from the EUR 4 million loss posted in the prior year's
second quarter. In Q2 2010 the EBITA margin was 4.6%. The positive development
was driven by strong double-digit revenue growth in the industrial staffing
business.

In Q2 2010 revenues in Benelux increased by 12% (+8% organically), and in Italy
revenues were up 25%. Revenues in the Nordics increased by 14% in constant
currency, while in Iberia revenues increased by 11%.

Emerging Markets delivered continued strong growth in Q2 2010 with revenues up
27% in constant currency, driven by South America, Eastern Europe and India.
EBITA was up 12% in constant currency, while the EBITA margin was 2.6%.

BUSINESS LINE PERFORMANCE


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

In Q2 2010, Adecco's revenues in the Office & Industrial businesses were EUR
3.1 billion, up 16% in constant currency (+15% organically). In the Industrial
business, revenues were up 24% in constant currency, following a 5% increase in
constant currency in Q1 2010. Growth was most significant in North America,
where the year-on-year revenue trend improved from +13% in Q1 2010 to +37% in Q2
2010 in constant currency, in Germany & Austria from -1% to +33%, in Italy from
+1% to +29% and in France from +9% to +24%. In the Office business, revenues
were flat in constant currency (-2% organically), a further improvement compared
to Q1 2010, where revenues declined by 11% in constant currency (-12%
organically). Revenues in Japan decreased by 13% in constant currency in Q2
2010, following a decline of 24% in Q1 2010. North America increased by 17%
(+11% organically) in Q2 2010 compared to +10% (+7% organically) in Q1 2010 and
in the UK & Ireland the revenue decline rate improved from -9% (-14%
organically) in Q1 2010 to -4% (-11% organically) in Q2 2010, all in constant
currency.

The Professional Business[5] revenues in Q2 2010 increased 57% in constant
currency (+2% organically). The gross margin declined by 420 bps to 25.1%,
mainly driven by the slowing outplacement business.


In Information Technology (IT), Adecco's revenues increased 85% in constant
currency (flat organically). In North America, revenues in Q2 2010 were up 103%
(-7% organically) and in the UK & Ireland revenues were up 217% (+14%
organically), all in constant currency.

Adecco's Engineering & Technical (E&T) business was up 54% in constant currency
(+20% organically).  Revenues in North America increased by 101% in constant
currency (+43% organically), and revenues in Germany & Austria increased by 9%
in the second quarter of 2010.

In Finance & Legal (F&L), revenues increased by 122% in constant currency (+5%
organically). Revenues in North America increased by 110% in constant currency
and were up 2% organically.

In Q2 2010, revenues in Medical & Science (M&S) increased by 52% (+8%
organically), whereas in Sales, Marketing & Events (SM&E) revenues were up 7%
(+3% organically), both in constant currency. In the quarter under review,
revenues in Human Capital Solutions (HCS) declined by 28%, in constant currency.

MANAGEMENT OUTLOOK

Throughout the second quarter of 2010, the revenue trend improved strongly for
the Adecco Group. To date there is no evidence of a slowdown of business in the
third quarter of 2010. Despite current concerns about the sustainability of the
economic recovery, developments in the staffing industry continue to signal
healthy demand and management is confident of strong revenue development near
term. Revenue growth in June was approximately 16%, organically and adjusted for
business days and July showed a similar growth pattern.

The acquired businesses, Spring and MPS, are delivering results exceeding
expectations and the integration and achievement of targeted synergies are well
on track. The increased exposure to the higher margin professional staffing
business coupled with a leaner branch network and optimised delivery channels
position Adecco very well to benefit from the much improved business conditions.
Price discipline and cost control remain priorities within the company, while
selective investments in high-growth segments or markets are screened very
carefully.

The good results attained in the second quarter of this year show that the
Adecco Group is delivering on its strategy and is making sound progress to
achieve its mid-term EBITA margin target of above 5.5%.

Adecco intends to delist from NYSE Euronext in Paris
Adecco S.A. plans to request the delisting of its shares from NYSE Euronext in
Paris and expects that its listing will be terminated in the second half of
2010. The rationale for delisting is primarily based on low average daily
trading volumes and Adecco's continued focus on cost optimisation. Adecco S.A.'s
shares will continue to trade on SIX Swiss Exchange.

Financial Agenda 2010/2011



   * 2010 Half Year Report Publication   August 12, 2010

   * Adecco Investor Days 2010           September 23-24, 2010

   * Q3 2010 results                     November 9, 2010

   * Q4/FY 2010 results                  March 3, 2011



Q2 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 athttp://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 branches, in
over 60 countries and territories around the world, Adecco Group offers a wide
variety of services, connecting more than 700,000 associates 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 NYSE Euronext in Paris (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 Q2 2009 the negative impact
on SG&A of EUR 54 million related to restructuring costs and, for better
comparison, excluding in Q2 2009 the French business tax of EUR 15 million in
costs 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/(loss) before
amortisation and impairment of goodwill and 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#1437005]



 --- 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/1437005/381896.pdf




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