Adecco CEO Says Company Plans to Hold Onto Its Akkodis Business

Swiss staffing company Adecco Group AG says it wants to hold onto its technology consulting unit Akkodis, its biggest ever acquisition, even as it tries to reduce debt.

Chief Executive Officer Denis Machuel said Akkodis is “accretive to margins” and its “best days are ahead of us.”

He was speaking to Bloomberg News after the company reported disappointing third-quarter results. The stock fell 7.5%, hitting its lowest since 1996.

With the economic backdrop weakening and the company trying to cut debt, there is speculation about Adecco’s current level of dividend payments. The company declined to comment on shareholder ...