Atkins (WS) PLC Announces Final Results

LONDON--(Marketwire - Jun 14, 2012) - (LSE: ATK) -- Results for the year ended 31 March 2012

"Good results, with a return to headcount growth in an economic environment that continues to be challenging."

Design and engineering consultancy group WS Atkins plc (Atkins) today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2012.

RESULTS SUMMARY

			Note		2012		2011		Increase / Decrease
Income statement
	Revenue		1		£1,711.1m		£1,564.3m		+9.4%
	Operating profit				£137.2m		£107.0m		+28.2%
	Underlying operating profit		2		£110.5m		£118.7m		-6.9%
	Operating margin				8.0%		6.8%		+1.2pp
	Underlying operating margin		2		6.5%		7.6%		-1.1pp
	Profit before taxation				£135.5m		£91.0m		+48.9%
	Underlying profit before tax		3		£101.6m		£102.7m		-1.1%
	Profit after taxation				£106.8m		£72.6m		+47.1%
	Diluted EPS				106.6p		72.7p		+46.6%
	Normalised diluted EPS		4		79.0p		75.0p		+5.3%
Dividend					30.5p		29.0p		+5.2%
People			5
	Staff numbers 31 March - continuing		6		17,420		16,978		+2.6%
	Average staff numbers				17,489		16,582		+5.5%
Cash
	Net funds				£122.6m		£123.3m		-0.5%
Work in Hand			7		60%		55%		5.0pp

HIGHLIGHTS

• Revenue up 9%, normalised EPS up 5%
  
  
• Diversification now delivering more than 50% of Group revenue from outside the UK
  
  
• North American consultancy business margin further improved to 6.6% (2011: 5.7%)
  
  
• Strengthened balance sheet, with net funds of £122.6m and a reduced pension deficit
  
  
• Improved work in hand of 60% (2011: 55%)
  
  
• Full year dividend increased by 5.2% to 30.5 pence
  
  
• Outlook for 2012/13 remains unchanged and in line with expectations.
  
  

"We have made good progress in the last twelve months despite the challenging economic environment. During the second half we continued to diversify the business, improved cash flow, reduced our pension liabilities and are returning to growth. We remain focused on driving operational excellence throughout the business to improve margins, optimise our portfolio and meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our strategy is clear and the Group is well positioned to deliver further growth in the year ahead."

Allan Cook CBE Chairman

Dr Uwe Krueger Chief executive officer

Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document.

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3370F_1-2012-6-13.pdf