International specialist staffing group Empresaria Group plc (LON:EMR) has reported record 2016 profits as net fee income grew for the fourteenth consecutive quarter.
The AIM-listed firm saw its adjusted pre-tax profit increase by 23% to £9.2mln in the year to December 31, up from £7.5mln in 2015, as net fee income rose by 20% to £59.0mln.
Its adjusted earnings per share rose by 14% to 11.3p, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of double digit growth.
Empresaria highlighted strong profit growth in its German business, as well as in the IT sector in Japan and Executive search in South East Asia.
The groupâs chief executive Joost Kreulen said: "Empresaria has delivered another year of record profit and strong growth in adjusted earnings per share, demonstrating the strength of our diversified business model.â
He added: âAlongside the solid performances across a number of countries, we are particularly pleased to have secured two significant international investments during the year; Rishworth Aviation and ConSol Partners.
âBoth brands operate in sectors with good long-term growth prospects and complement the Group's 'Invest & Develop' strategy. We look forward to the growth opportunities that these businesses have as part of the Group.â
Kreulen concluded: âWe continue to see exciting growth opportunities to develop our Group and deliver increased profits and we look to 2017 with confidence."
The group is to pay a final dividend of 1.15p, up 15% from the 1.0p paid a year earlier.
In afternoon trading, Empresaria shares were up 4.5%, or 6.5p at 149p.
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