Adds CEO quotes, buyback plan Feb 14 (Reuters) - Recruitment firm Randstad's RAND.AS fourth-quarter core profit beat market expectations on Tuesday even as companies cut back hiring to combat the high inflation. The performance of staffing companies like Randstad and Adecco ADEN.S are seen as a bellwether for broader economic activity, as companies' appetite for hiring indicates confidence in the economy. Randstad said it planned to return additional capital to its shareholders by buying back around 400 million euros ($429.36 million) worth of ordinary shares starting at the end of April.