Robert Walters says it is well positioned to exploit opportunities through long-term investment and cost management and is committed to expand in markets which offer the best prospects for growth, its future investment plans may reflect this.

The group is scheduled to release its interim management statement for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 on Thursday. Growth in the recruitment sector saw a steady slide in 2011 as global economic uncertainty and austerity measures weighed on the confidence of clients to hire and candidates to move jobs.

The international recruitment consultancy is mindful of current difficult market conditions, weaker client and candidate confidence, the group's net fee income for the year ended 31 December 2011 rose 18 percent to £183.6 million from £155.4 million in 2010 and it expects a satisfactory outcome for 2011 as a whole.

The group is confident to meet the challenges ahead and well placed to deliver the strong performance, given the power of its global brand, the strength of its balance sheet and the depth and experience of its management team.

Below is a summary of sector comparisons in terms of price earnings, earnings per share, dividend per share, dividend yields, return on equity and price-to-book ratio. The table explains how the company is performing against its peers/competitors in the sector. The table below represents ten companies based on market capitalisation.

Robert Walters Earnings Performance
Robert Walters Sector Comparisons and Earnings Outlook

Brokers' Views:

- Seymour Pierce recommends 'Out Perform' rating on the stock with a target price of 320 pence per share
- Peel Hunt recommends 'Sell' rating
- Numis Securities assigns 'Buy' rating with a target price of 310 pence per share
- Credit Suisse assigns 'Out Perform' rating with a target price of 285 pence per share

Earnings Outlook:

- Seymour Pierce estimates the company to report revenues of £612.90 million and £619.00 million for the FY 2012 and FY 2013 respectively with pre-tax profits (pre-except) of £27.20 million and £27.70 million. Earnings per share are projected at 26.60 pence for FY 2012 and 27.20 pence for FY 2013.

- Peel Hunt projects the company to record revenues of £193.10 million for the FY 2012 and £218.50 million for the FY 2013 with pre-tax profits (pre-except) of £10.60 million and £14.80 million respectively. Profit per share is estimated at 9.20 pence and 12.80 pence for the same periods.

- Credit Suisse expects Robert Walters to earn revenues of £579 million for the FY 2012 and £613 million for the FY 2013 with pre-tax profits of £11 million and £17 million respectively. EPS is projected at 10.07 pence for FY 2012 and 16.30 pence for FY 2013.

FTSE