Swiss staffing group Adecco told CNBC Wednesday it was starting to see continued employment growth around the world as it reported net profits short of expectations.
"We have delivered a strong operating performance in 2015, the 5.2 percent. We also maintained our leading profitability… as a result the board of directors will propose to the general assembly for 2015 a strong dividend of 2.4 Swiss francs ($2.41) which is an increase of 14 percent," said CEO Alain Dehaze, to CNBC by phone from Zurich.
Net profit for the world's largest staffing group was 184 million euros ($201.94 million) in the fourth quarter, in line with the year-ago period but slightly below a 194 million forecast in a Reuters poll.
As for employment trends in 2016, Dehaze said growth in its leading market, France, continued to improve in January and February, helping it post results broadly in line with expectations in the fourth quarter.
Dehaze also said the staffing group sees strong growth in Asia, with Japan accelerating to 4 percent, and modest but continued growth in North America.
In the U.S. market "we see very good growth in financial services, and in the health care system," for 2016, Dehaze told CNBC.
The company also said it had reached an agreement to make a recommended cash offer for UK recruitment firm Penna Consulting PLC of 365 pence per share, taking the total consideration to approximately 105 million pounds ($148.90 million), in line with its strategy to do bolt-on buys, reported Reuters.
"One of our six key strategic priorities was the reinforcement of all professional staffing and solutions business," Dehaze told CNBC.
"Penna is a very strong actor in the UK market regarding the human capital solutions, especially career placement, career development and the recruitment so this potential acquisition will broaden our service offer in the UK and we are glad that the board of Penna, as well as 62 percent of the shareholders, are recommending this offer," he added.