Recruiter PageGroup PLC (LON:PAGE) said it expects 2019 profit to meet forecasts after delivering growth across all its regions in the first quarter.
Gross profit, a key performance measure for recruitment firms, rose to £208.8mln in the first quarter from £187.8mln a year ago, up 11.2% on a reported basis or 11.7% at constant currency.
READ: PageGroup CEO to take leave of absence after suffering severe back injury in skiing accident
PageGroup achieved a 1.7% increase in UK gross profit to £34.4mln despite Brexit uncertainty hurting business confid7ence. The UK region accounts for 17% of total gross profit.
The Europe, Middle East and Africa region – the group’s biggest market – delivered a 9.9% increase in gross profit to £104.1mln, accounting for 50% of the total.
Germany delivered a record quarter with growth of 24% but France eased to an 8% rise from a 10% increase in the fourth quarter due to the impact of protests and political uncertainty.
Gross profit in the Asia Pacific jumped 16% to £38.2mln, representing 18% of the total, led by growth in Japan, Australia and India.
Mainland China slowed to growth of 9% from 12% in the fourth quarter due to concerns about a trade dispute between the nation and the US.
The Americas, which makes up 15% of total gross profit, gained 21.9% to £32.1mln.
"We will continue to focus on driving profitable growth while continuing our strategic investments towards our Vision of 10,000 headcount, £1bn of gross profit and £200m - £250m of operating profit,” said chief financial officer Kelvin Stagg.
“We are pleased with the group's performance in Q1 and, at this early stage in the year, expect 2019 operating profit to be in line with consensus.”
The company compiled consensus forecast for 2019 operating profit is £160.4mln, compared to £142.5mln last year.
Stagg has been leading the company while chief executive, Steve Ingham, takes time off to recover from a severe back injury after a skiing accident.