LONDON (Alliance News) - Recruiter SThree PLC on Friday reported a "strong" third-quarter performance, with the recruitment firm positive in its outlook for the last quarter of its financial year.
For the quarter ended August 31, the third quarter of its financial year which ends November 30, gross profit increased 13% year-on-year.
Gross profit in the Contract segment was up 14% for the quarter, with Permanent increasing the figure by 8% year-on-year.
Looking at different industries, SThree's ICT gross profit rose 14%, Engineering by 15%, Life Sciences by 13%, and Global Energy by 32%.
Chief Executive Gary Elden said: "We are pleased to have delivered another strong quarter, continuing the momentum of the second quarter, which was also up 13%. The group is benefiting both from the broad geographic reach of its operations, with 84% of gross profit now generated in international markets, and from its focus on the best STEM markets.
"Continental Europe, our largest region, continued to grow strongly, with both Germany, Austria, & Switzerland and Benelux delivering record performances, and the US posted a solid result against strong prior year comparatives."
Elden continued: "Looking ahead, trading conditions in the majority of our markets are encouraging and we enter the fourth quarter, our most significant trading quarter, with confidence in our full year prospects."
Shares were 3.8% higher early Friday 358.00 pence apiece.