<p style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Recruitment firm Hays was the name in the takeover frame, and not for the first time. It has for years been considered a prime bid target and as its shares rose 4.2p to 117.6p on above average turnover, dealers heard whispers yet again that its days of independence could be numbered. Ubiquitous Swiss human resources group Adecco is rumoured to be lining up a £2.1bn or 150p a share cash bid for the company but cash-rich private equity players are also said to be sniffing around.</p>