Q4 Trading Update

Michael Page International PLC
08 January 2007





8 January 2007



                        2006 FOURTH QUARTER TRADING AND

                         FULL YEAR GROSS PROFIT UPDATE



Michael Page International plc, the specialist recruitment consultancy, reports
fourth quarter gross profit of £93.0m, an increase of 32.4% over the £70.2m
recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005.  Full year gross profit is estimated at
£348.7m, an increase of 30.3% over the £267.6m reported in 2005.



We have made significant progress throughout 2006 producing record gross profits
and earnings. In line with our strategy of organic growth, we have also made
substantial investments for the longer term prospects of the Group. While
continuing to launch and expand new and existing offices and disciplines in our
established markets, we opened offices in five new countries. With numerous
opportunities for future growth we increased our rate of investment and spend in
the fourth quarter. This investment is reflected in the Group's year end
headcount of 3,758, which is 28% higher than at the end of 2005.



Regional Summary

UK fourth quarter gross profits were £38.9m, an increase of 18.8% over the
£32.7m recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005. Full year gross profit is
estimated at £155.7m (2005: £129.5m), an increase of 20.2%. Strong growth has
been achieved throughout 2006 with good levels of activity continuing across all
disciplines and all regions of the UK.



In Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), fourth quarter gross profits were
£37.0m, an increase of 49.2% over the £24.8m recorded in the fourth quarter of
2005. Full year gross profit is estimated at £126.5m (2005: £86.1m), an increase
of 46.9%. In France, the region's largest business representing 38% of EMEA, the
annual growth rate was 22%. The rest of EMEA grew at 68% with most countries,
including Germany, Holland and Spain, growing in excess of 60%. In the fourth
quarter, we continued our organic expansion opening an office in Dublin,
Republic of Ireland.



Asia Pacific fourth quarter gross profits were £11.3m, an increase of 22.4% over
the £9.2m recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005. Full year gross profit is
estimated at £45.0m (2005: £39.0m), an increase of 15.2%. In Australia, the
positive impact of the management and structural changes are becoming evident
with fourth quarter gross profit of £6.5m, a year on year increase of 16.8%,
albeit against a weak comparative. For the full year, gross profit is estimated
at £26.0m, an increase of 5.2%.



The Americas fourth quarter gross profits were £5.9m, an increase of 66.7% over
the £3.5m recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005.  Full year gross profit is
estimated at £21.4m (2005: £12.9m), an increase of 66.5%. We made considerable
investment in the region during 2006 opening new offices and expanding our range
of disciplines.



Share buy backs

During the fourth quarter, the Group repurchased a further 5.82m shares at an
average price of 403.9p. During the year, the Group repurchased a total of 23.3m
shares at an average price of 355.8p.



Michael Page International plc will release its preliminary results for the year
ended 31st December 2006 on 28th February 2007.



Commenting on the fourth quarter performance, Chief Executive Steve Ingham said:



"2006 has been a very successful year for the Group with all regions
contributing to our record results and a particularly strong performance from
Europe. I am pleased with the successful acceleration of our investment spend in
2006 in order to capture a number of growth opportunities, all the time
following the proven Michael Page model of expanding organically with
experienced senior managers. With this investment, we expect to continue to
deliver good growth in 2007 and beyond."



Enquiries:


Michael Page International plc
Steve Ingham                     Chief Executive                   01932 264144
Stephen Puckett                  Group Finance Director            01932 264144

Financial Dynamics
David Yates/Susanne Walker                                         020 7269 7121




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange