Atkins gains on strong revenue growth

WS Atkins, the engineering and design consultancy, has seen half yearly profits before tax rise 11.3% compared to the same period of 2010.

Total revenues at the company, which was responsible for designing much of the London 2012 Olympic site, were £842.9m, 26.9% up on the prior year. That revenue yielded profits before tax of £46.4m. The operating margin dropped from 7.3% last year, to 6.1% in 2011.

Atkins has increased its interim dividend from 9.5p per share to 9.75p.

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Commenting on the results, Uwe Krueger, chief executive, said:

"The group has delivered solid half year results...with our diversified exposure to a range of end markets and geographies...our overall outlook for the year remains unchanged."

Shares in WS Atkins were up 2.59% in early trading although the firm has lost 20% in value since the beginning of 2011.

BS