26th Sep 2013 08:14
LONDON (Alliance News) - WS Atkins said Thursday that the group's overall performance during the year-to-date remains in line with expectations in its pre-close trading statement, prior to the release of its half-year results in November.
The engineering and design consultancy said that its outlook for the year remains the same and is in line with its view.
WS Atkins said that its financial position remains strong and that its increased focus on cash generation during the period has delivered well, especially in the Middle East. The firm said growth markets of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, have had a steady start to the year, although the region has been hit with project delays and restructuring which it expects will result in a greater weighting of profits to the second half in the current year.
The firm said that the UK has had a strong half and reinforced its commitment to growth across its highways, rail, water and environment, defence and aerospace and management consultancy businesses.
In its other localities, WS Atkins said that trading in Europe and Asia Pacific has been in line with expectations, noting that it will continue to explore potential opportunities in the South East Asia region. The company said that it is making good progress with the restructuring of its environment consultancy business in North America.
The firm says it has made progress on the transferral of its highway services business, with completion of the relocation to Skanska expected soon. The company notes that its underlying headcount has increased around 2% in the year to date.
WS Atkins is slated to report its half-year results for the six months to 30 September on 14 November.
Shares in WS Atkins were down 0.25% to 1,179.00 pence Thursday morning.
By Alice Attwood; [email protected]; @AliceAtAlliance
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