Trading Statement
SThree plc
06 December 2006
Trading Update
SThree, one of the UK's leading specialist staffing businesses, is today issuing
an update on trading for the year ended 30 November 2006.
The Group's performance in the year has been strong, against a background of
continuing positive trading conditions in the specialist staffing markets, and
the Board is pleased with the Group's overall performance in the period.
SThree made 7,685 permanent placements during the year, an increase of 27.6%
(2005: 6,023). Average fees from permanent recruitment also increased strongly,
as the Group continued to benefit from both underlying wage inflation and an
increase in the proportion of higher salaried candidates within the sales mix.
At 30 November 2006, SThree had 4,719 active contractors, representing an
increase of 8.1% over the prior year (2005: 4,365). Contractor gross profit per
day rates also showed a further healthy increase as the Group placed a greater
percentage of higher skilled contractors able to command superior rates,
consistent with its strategy of moving up the candidate value chain.
Russell Clements, Chief Executive, commented: 'Our performance in the second
half has continued the strong year on year growth trend we reported at the
interim stage. Our well-established strategy of focusing on quality and margin
over high volume/low value placements has delivered a pleasing further
improvement in fee growth in both our permanent and contract businesses. Our
success in investing to develop new revenue streams both in new sectors and new
geographies is reflected in visible progress across the board, with all aspects
of the business contributing to the growth momentum. Overall, we are pleased
with the performance for the year and believe we remain well positioned to make
further progress in the year ahead.'
SThree will be announcing its preliminary results for the year ended 30 November
2006 on 7 February 2007.
- Ends -
Enquiries:
SThree plc 020 7292 3838
Russell Clements, Chief Executive Officer
Michael Nelson, Chief Financial Officer
Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571
Kevin Smith / Nicola Smith
Notes to editors
SThree, founded in 1986, is one of the leading specialist staffing businesses in
the UK. The Group provides both permanent and contract specialist staffing
services in the UK and Europe, primarily in the information and communications
technology ('ICT') sector and, to an increasing extent, the banking and finance,
accountancy, human resources and engineering sectors. Following the
establishment of its first business, Computer Futures, in 1986, the Group
adopted a multi-brand strategy, establishing new operations to address growth
opportunities. SThree currently operates 12 brands, the 3 largest being Computer
Futures, Progressive and Huxley Associates, and has 30 offices in the UK and 9
offices in mainland Europe, in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Germany and
Ireland.
SThree has a selective approach to clients and focuses on high margin
opportunities, predominantly within the small to medium-sized enterprises
('SME') market, which SThree defines as including autonomous divisions of large
corporates. The Group does not pursue a high volume/low margin model. SThree has
a diverse, international client list of over 4,000 clients.
SThree plc is quoted on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority under the
ticker symbol STHR.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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