ENERGY and natural-resource consultant RPS Group, which has a strong presence in Aberdeen, reported pre-tax profits of £27.5million yesterday for the first six months of 2009.
The performance was marginally ahead of the corresponding period last year but first-half revenue fell by 2% to £221.5million.
RPS, which advises on developments such as airport expansions and new nuclear installations, said it expected pricing pressure and delays on some of its projects until “economic prospects become clearer”.
Underlying profits at the firm’s energy division, including its Aberdeen operations, were flat at £12.4million.
Oxfordshire-based RPS said the pace of investment in new energy-related projects slowed progressively during the second quarter. It added: “This was apparently in response to continuing uncertainty in economic outlook and short-term energy demand as well as oil price volatility, and had a material impact on our trading.”