TNS see profits jump 34%

London-based market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres has reported full-year profits up 34% to £65.3m (€97.7m) in 2003.

Turnover, excluding the recent acquisition of US-based NFO WorldGroup, was up 3.9% to £642.9m (€962.3m).

NFO's contribution to revenue from July added £162.3m (€242.9m) and TNS said that the integration was currently progressing ahead of plan.

The company was upbeat about the market outlook for 2004, led by growth in the US and Asia-Pacific and said that their order book was currently ahead of the same period last year.