Multisector recruitment firm - The Adecco Group has announced strongs results for the first quarter of 2008.

In the first three months of the year Adecco has seen an 8% increase in operating income.

The group has also seen its revenue grow by 1% to 5bn euros (£3.9bn).

Basic earnings per share (eps) also saw an increase of 8%.

Dieter Scheiff, chief executive, Adecco Group said: "Adecco started well into 2008. We continued to improve the operating margin by 30 bps (base points) to 4.1%. Gross margin expanded further, particularly in the professional staffing business and through good growth of our permanent placement business, while we carefully managed our costs. We continue to be well on track to reach over 5% EBITA (earnings before the deduction of interest, tax and amortization expenses) margin by 2009.
 
"For 2008 we expect modest revenue growth for the group. While growth rates in the European and the Japanese markets are decelerating, they are still on a solid path. Demand in the US remains weak, whereas the Emerging Markets continue to grow strongly."