Robert Walters Regulatory News (RWA)

8 May 2008 09:30

Robert Walters PLC08 May 2008 8 MAY 2008 ROBERT WALTERS PLC ("Robert Walters" or "the Company") INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT Robert Walters plc is today publishing its Interim Management Statement for thefour month period from 1 January 2008 to 30 April 2008 and this statement isbeing read by Philip Aiken, Chairman, at the Company's Annual General Meeting,which commences at 9.30am today: "There has been little change to trading conditions since our last announcementat our annual results at the end of February 2008. Trading in the first 4 monthsof 2008 has been in line with expectations and the Group's international spreadof business has, as expected, enabled it to offset the adverse conditionsaffecting the UK, especially in the financial sector. We have also benefitedfrom higher overseas earnings due to the recent weakness of Sterling. We have experienced a shortage of candidates in the majority of our markets,whilst certain banking sector clients have demonstrated greater caution inhiring for permanent placements. Net fee income for the first four months of the year was 19% above that achievedin the same period in 2007 (12% on a constant currency basis). We are satisfied with the outcome for the first four months of the year, withthe Group benefitting from its diversified geographical nature and strongertrading conditions in Europe and Asia Pacific relative to the UK. Accordinglythe Board's expectations for the full year remain unchanged subject to nosignificant deterioration in current market conditions. During the period, the Company has purchased 4,150,000 shares at an averageprice of £1.64, totalling £6.8m." This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange