Recruiter Robert Walters returns to net fee growth on UK strength

Oct 14 (Reuters) — British recruitment firm Robert Walters returned to net fee growth in the third quarter on Wednesday, after more than three years of decline, as cost cuts and stronger UK performance offset weakness in some European markets. Net fees rose 1% at constant currency in the quarter ended September, following 13 consecutive quarters of decline Net fees rose rose 10% in the UK, on continued strength in permanent hiring. While net fees in Asia Pacific region, its largest market, was flat in the quarter Northern Europe remained challenging, with net fees in France down 8% and the Netherlands down 9% The company said it expects full year results to be at least in line with market expectations Rival, Michael Page also returned to profit growth after four years of declines on strong hiring across US construction and Asian markets on Tuesday (Reporting by Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru; Editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar) ((NithyashreeRB@thomsonreuters.com)