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Last checked at 
11 Jan 2016 07:00
11 January 2016
ROBERT WALTERS PLC
(the 'Company' or the 'Group')
Trading update for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2015
Financial and operational highlights
Gross profit (Net fee income) | Q4 2015
| Q4 2014
| % change | % change (constant currency*) |
Group | £59.1m | £56.2m | 5% | 10% |
Asia Pacific | £24.3m | £23.2m | 5% | 11% |
UK | £19.9m | £19.0m | 5% | 5% |
Europe | £12.4m | £11.5m | 8% | 17% |
Other International | £2.5m | £2.5m | (1%) | (1%) |
* Constant currency is calculated by applying prior period average exchange rates to local currency results for the current and prior years.
§ Group net fee income increased by 10% year-on-year in constant currency.
§ Asia Pacific net fee income up 11% in constant currency.
o Our emerging markets in Asia continued to perform strongly with Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam all producing excellent growth.
o Our larger and well-established businesses in the Asia region also produced solid results with Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China delivering the strongest rates of net fee income growth.
o Another quarter of net fee income growth in constant currency in Australia with Sydney performing particularly well.
§ UK net fee income up 5% year-on-year.
o Permanent recruitment activity across the UK was noticeably slower in the fourth quarter, with financial services particularly subdued.
o Resource Solutions won two major deals during the period.
§ Net fee income in Europe up 17% in constant currency.
o The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain again produced excellent results whilst Switzerland also grew strongly albeit from a low base.
o Building on the strong growth in Spain, we have opened a new office in Barcelona.
o Improvement in permanent hiring activity in France.
§ Other International (US, Middle East, South Africa and Brazil) net fee income was broadly flat year-on-year.
§ Group headcount of 2,916 (30 Sep 2015: 2,820).
§ Strong balance sheet with net cash of £17.7m as at 31 December 2015 (30 Sep 2015: £14.0m).
Robert Walters, Chief Executive, commented:
"The Group produced a positive performance; delivering another quarter of double-digit net fee income growth in constant currency. Net fee income for the full year is up 12% in constant currency, with profit before taxation remaining in line with current market expectations.
"Looking ahead, notwithstanding ongoing global market uncertainty, our strong blend of income streams, our truly global footprint, our powerful brand and experienced senior management team ensures the Group is well positioned for the future."
The Group will publish its final results for the year ended 31 December 2015 on 10 March 2016.
- Ends -
Further information
Robert Walters plc Robert Walters, Chief Executive Officer Alan Bannatyne, Chief Financial Officer
| +44 20 7379 3333 |
Newgate Communications Steffan Williams Madeleine Palmstierna | +44 20 7680 6550 |
About Robert Walters
Robert Walters is a market-leading international specialist recruitment consultancy with over 2,900 staff spanning 24 countries. We specialise in the placement of the highest calibre professionals across the disciplines of accountancy and finance, banking, engineering, HR, IT, legal, sales & marketing and supply chain and procurement. Our client base ranges from the world's leading blue-chip corporates and financial services organisations through to SMEs and start-ups.
Businesses worldwide rely on us to find the very best specialist professionals to drive their business forward and those same professionals trust us to manage their long-term careers.
www.robertwalters.com
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