LONDON--(Marketwired - Jun 13, 2013) -

(LSE: ATK)


Results for the year ended 31 March 2013"Good results, despite challenges
in some markets."

Design and engineering consultancy group WS Atkins plc (Atkins) today
announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2013.

RESULTS SUMMARY

                                                             Increase /
                             Note     2013          2012     Decrease

Income statement

    Revenue                   1    GBP1,705.2m   GBP1,711.1m     -0.3%
    Operating profit                 GBP104.1m     GBP137.2m    -24.1%
    Underlying operating
     profit                   2      GBP109.8m     GBP110.5m     -0.6%

    Operating margin                      6.1%          8.0%    -1.9pp
    Underlying operating
     margin                   2           6.4%          6.5%    -0.1pp

    Profit before taxation           GBP103.3m     GBP135.5m    -23.8%
    Underlying profit
     before tax               3      GBP104.5m     GBP101.6m     +2.9%

    Profit after taxation             GBP88.4m     GBP106.8m    -17.2%
    Diluted EPS                          88.8p        106.6p    -16.7%
    Underlying diluted EPS    4          86.7p         79.0p     +9.7%
Dividend                                 32.0p         30.5p     +4.9%
People                        5
    Staff numbers 31 March              17,899        17,420     +2.7%
    Average staff numbers               17,648        17,489     +0.9%
Cash
    Operating cash flow               GBP82.9m      GBP68.6m    +20.8%
    Net funds                        GBP143.0m     GBP122.6m    +16.6%
Work in Hand                  6            55%           56%    -1.0pp

HIGHLIGHTS

* Underlying profit before tax up 2.9% to GBP104.5m, on flat revenue

* Underlying diluted EPS up 9.7%

* Strong UK performance, with revenue up 4.7% and operating profit
  up 9.7%

* Investment in growth continues, with Energy revenue up 18.3%

* North America and Middle East markets remain challenging

* Improved operating cash flow, with net funds of GBP143.0m (2012:
  GBP122.6m)

* Full year dividend increased by 4.9% to 32.0 pence (2012: 30.5p)

* Positive momentum continues into 2013/14, with outlook unchanged
  and in line with expectations."We have delivered another year of good
results and made notable
progress towards the implementation of our strategy over the past 12
months. We have continued to optimise our portfolio with the agreed
sale of our UK highways services business and sustained positive
momentum in our UK, Asia Pacific and Europe and Energy businesses. We
remain focused on driving operational excellence throughout the Group
to improve margins, optimise our portfolio and meet the evolving needs
of our clients. We are confident we will achieve further underlying
growth in the year ahead."


Allan Cook CBE                Prof Dr Uwe Krueger
Chairman                      Chief executive officer


Enquiries

Atkins

Uwe Krueger, Chief executive officer            +44 (0) 20 7121 2000
Heath Drewett, Group finance director           +44 (0) 20 7121 2000
Sara Lipscombe, Group communications director   +44 (0) 20 7121 2000
Kate Moy, Investor relations director           +44 (0) 20 7121 2000

Smithfield

Alex Simmons                                    +44 (0) 20 7360 4900


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 http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/9341G_1-2013-6-12.pdf 

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END