Staffline Group plc announced financial position at the end of 2017 and confidence for the future enables the company to propose an increased final dividend of 15.7 pence compared to 15.3 pence a year ago, payable to shareholders on 3 July 2018, giving a full year dividend of 26.7 pence compared to 25.8 pence a year ago.

The company announced audited consolidated earnings results for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year, the company reported revenue of £957.8 million against £882.4 million a year ago. Operating profit was £26.9 million against £22.2 million a year ago. Profit for the period before taxation was £24.1 million against £18.9 million a year ago. Profit from continuing operations was £18.3 million or 71.1 pence per diluted share against £15.0 million or 58.8 pence per diluted share a year ago. Profit for the year was £18.3 million against £15.8 million a year ago. Net cash inflow from operating activities was £41.7 million against £42.9 million a year ago. Purchases of property, plant and equipment was £2.7 million against £3.6 million a year ago. Purchase of intangible assets – software was £1.1 million against £3.3 million a year ago. Net debt fell by £20.2 million, from £36.7 million at the end of December 2016 to £16.5 million at the end of December 2017. Underlying revenue was £957.8 million against £882.4 million a year ago. Underlying operating profit was £39.1 million against £40.0 million a year ago. Underlying profit for the year before taxation was £36.3 million against £36.7 million a year ago. Underlying profit from continuing operations was £29.0 million against £29.1 million a year ago. Underlying diluted earnings per was 112.6 pence against 114.0 pence a year ago.

The company expects group's 2018 profit to be slightly higher than in 2017.