International recruiter SThree has recorded a “consistent” performance across its international operations, according to a trading update for the financial year ended 28 November 2010.

The update reveals:

• Group gross profit of around £167m, down 2% year-on-year (2009: £171.1m)

• Permanent gross profit up 15% year-on-year for the full year and up 53% year-on-year in Q4

• Contract gross profit down 12% year-on-year for the full year, but up 4% year-on-year in Q4

• Greater geographical diversification, with non-UK share of gross profit now at 60% (2009: 55%) and six new overseas offices opened during the year

• Year end net cash of around £53m (2009: £48.5m)

Russell Clements, chief executive, says: “Our performance remains consistent with improving markets across all of the geographies in which we operate. By the final quarter of the year, all of our markets were showing both year-on-year and sequential growth.

“During the year we grew our sales headcount substantially and opened six new international offices. We also made further progress in terms of sector diversification. Taken as a whole I am very satisfied with our performance in 2010. We are now a more international and diverse business than at any time in our history, well positioned to achieve our global growth plans.”