WS Atkins trading well despite rail contracts delay

ENGINEERING consultancy WS Atkins reports that it is trading well and expects to report results for the year ended March 31 in line with market expectations.

The firm, which has operations based in Birmingham, Telford and Tamworth, 
has provided an update on trading for the year in advance of its preliminary results announcement on June 14.
 
It says that the UK region has ended the year well and, as anticipated, saw modest growth in underlying headcount in the second half of the year.

“Despite the previously announced delay in contract awards in the UK rail signalling business, the second half operating margin for the UK segment is expected to show progress on that reported in the first six months of the year,” it said.
 
“While the North American consultancy business has seen its previously reported slow start to the second half continue in the fourth quarter, a year on year margin improvement is still anticipated for this business.”
 
The firm says its operations in the Middle East and the energy sector have continued to enjoy strong market conditions and have ended the year trading in line with expectations.
 
Atkins says its financial position remains strong with net funds of around £120m as at March 31.