M&C Saatchi shares surge as profits leap 32%

LONDON - M&C Saatchi is looking to expand its global network after reporting a 32% rise in statutory pre-tax profits to £10.5m, sending its share price surging by 15%.

With trading for the first three months of 2009 in line with management expectations, the group said it was confident it was in "good shape".

David Kershaw, chief executive, said it was ready to invest more in its organic growth strategy of opening more international offices.

The company's share price surged 15% this morning to 40.4p, well above the .

Over the last year revenues climbed 19% to £104.4m. The UK, which was boosted by new wins including the Government-led anti-obesity campaign Change4Life and Hyundai, increased revenues from £52.8m to £60.3m.

In Europe revenues climbed 70% to £10.3m, but good results from its Paris and Berlin offices were marred by a "very difficult year" for its Madrid office.

M&C's 25% stake in its Spanish associate was written down by £2.4m.

The group said: "We remain committed to this market, but we have agreed not to extend our ownership beyond the current 25%. We may revisit this position in the future."

The US business, based in LA, had a "second difficult year" with revenues down slightly from £4.1m to £4m.

However, Asia and Australia increased revenues by 20% to £29.7m with an "excellent year" for the Australian office despite its loss of the global Tourism Australia account, which was picked up by DDB Worldwide.

M&C said clients were starting to put pressure on fees, but were more likely "to sacrifice longer term marketing investment projects and new product development work to reduce costs".

The group recently opened new offices in Switzerland and Brazil.

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