The UK and Belgium proved to be bright spots for international recruiter Hudson Global in the second quarter of 2014, with “particularly strong growth” seen in permanent recruitment in those markets.

The second quarter results, revealed today, showed the company suffering a net loss of $4.4m (£2.6m), compared with a net loss of $5.8m at the same time last year. 

However, a statement about the results said that year-on-year gross margin in the company’s core business lines and geographies was widespread, including 4% in Asia Pacific, 9% in Europe and 50% in the company’s recruitment process outsourcing operations in the Americas.

The company’s gross margin increased by 3.8% to $62.8m from the second quarter of 2013.

Growth in the UK permanent market amounted to 18% and in Belgium, 27% in constant currency. Talent management in continental Europe also grew in the quarter, driven by Belgium and France, the statement said.