LONDON (Alliance News) - SThree PLC on Monday reported a "strong" annual performance, with the company beating expectations.
SThree's revenue has climbed 13% year-on-year for the 12 months to November 30, 2018, to GBP1.26 billion, with pretax profit increasing 20% on the year to GBP53.4 million.
The recruiter is paying a 9.8 pence per share final dividend, taking the year's total to 14.5p. In its prior year, it paid out 14.0p per share to shareholders.
Gross profit within Contract recruitment rose 14% to GBP232.1 million, and Permanent gross profit climbed 6% to GBP89.0 million. SThree's group gross profit was up 12% to GBP321.1 million.
"The group continued to make good progress throughout 2018. This resulted in a strong financial performance which, demonstrating our resilience, was delivered despite the ongoing macro-economic and political uncertainties," said Chief Executive Gary Elden.
"Alongside the financial metrics, we delivered further structural and operational progress which will enable us to attain our vision of being the number one Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics recruiter in the best STEM markets. We are on track with the delivery of the five-year plan as set out at the November 2017 capital market day."
"Looking forward to the year ahead, our post-year end trading is in line with expectations and we remain well positioned to benefit from the growth opportunities in our chosen STEM markets," he continued.
The STEM market in which SThree operates, the company said, is continuing to be affected by an ongoing shortage of skilled workers, creating a supply and demand imbalance "which underpins the need for our services".
SThree shares were 4.0% higher early on Monday at 283.50p each.