Atkins keeps full-year outlook unchanged

Atkins is trading in line with management's expectations and the full-year outlook remains unchanged, the engineering company said on Wednesday.In its third-quarter trading update, the group said it expects the UK business to achieve an improved operating margin through the second half of the year on the back of healthy infrastructure markets.In North America, the second half is likely to reflect the flat market conditions while the Middle East has enjoyed a good pipeline of work across rail, infrastructure and property sectors.The Asia Pacific region has traded in line with guidance despite a slowdown in China.The oil and gas, nuclear and power businesses have continued to perform well through the second half but the group warned that it was monitoring the slump in prices.Atkins anticipates net funds of around £135m at 31 March 2015, reflecting the consideration for the acquisitions of Houston Offshore Engineering and Terramar, a 62-person consultancy in Norway, completed since the half year.