CPL reports a near 30% rise in revenue

CPL Resources — the Irish recruitment specialist — has reported a strong set of first-half figures, including a near 30% rise in revenue, but has warned that trading conditions remain “very challenging”.

The Dublin-headquartered company — which also has a presence in central and eastern Europe — said that pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of December, amounted to €4.53 million; a 17% increase on the same period in its previous financial year.

Operating profits grew by 27%, year-on-year, to just under €4.24m; while revenue growth amounted to 28%, to €142.7m. Both earnings per share and the interim dividend to shareholders were up by 20%, on a year-on-year basis, to 10.9 cent and 3c, respectively.

CPL chairman, John Hennessy was cautious; saying that challenging conditions are evident in all markets.

“Notwithstanding the group’s strong performance in the six months, very significant uncertainties remain in our principal markets,” he said.

The company has operations in Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

CPL’s share price was unchanged at €2.60, in Dublin trading yesterday.