Key points Q1 2017

  • Revenue down by 18% to EUR 196 million and gross profit down by 2% to EUR 47 million
  • EBIT down by 37% to EUR 5.7 million
  • Energy division renamed to Global Business

Brunel International (unaudited)

P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2017

Q1 2016

Change %

Revenue

196.4

238.4

-18%

Gross Profit

47.2

47.9

-1%

Gross margin

24.0%

20.1%

Operating costs

41.5

38.8

7%

EBIT

5.7

9.1

-37%

EBIT %

2.9%

3.8%

Average directs

8,984

9,771

-8%

Average indirects

1,460

1,503

-3%

Ratio direct / Indirect

6.2

6.5


a -19 % at constant currencies b 6 % at constant currencies

To reflect the diversification in our global infrastructure the division 'Energy' has been renamed 'Global Business'.

The revenue decline in Q1 in our divisions Global Business and The Netherlands was partly offset by growth in Germany. The gross margin improved due to a change in the mix, helped by additional working days in Europe. Operating costs increased due to further investments in our organisation in Europe, partly offset by savings in our Global Business.

In Q1, our Global Business division achieved a slightly lower than expected further decline in headcount. Revenue decreased by 18% compared to Q4 2016. The gross margin increased from 10.9% to 11.6%. Operating costs decreased by 7%.

Revenue in Europe continued to grow year on year, driven by strong performance in Germany.

The Netherlands faced a slow start of the year, in combination with the continued impact of the reduction in number of freelancers during 2016. Q1 2017 included two additional working days compared to Q1 2016. Revenue per working day decreased by 14%, and the gross margin adjusted for working days is 27.8%. A higher bench and higher illness caused the decrease in gross margin.

Germany continues to grow, helped by three additional working days in Q1. Revenue per working day increased by 8% and the gross margin adjusted for working days remained stable at 34.1%.
A lower bench offset more vacation and illness.

Outlook

Given the current market circumstances in Global Business, it remains difficult to provide an outlook for the rest of the year. Germany will continue to grow, while The Netherlands will return to growth in the second half of the year.

Brunel International NV published this content on 05 May 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 05 May 2017 05:59:10 UTC.

Original documenthttps://www.brunelinternational.net/en/press-releases-archive/2017/05/press-release-q1-2017-trading-update

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