First Derivatives reports 13% rise in profits

First Derivatives, a financial software and consulting specialist firm based in Newry, has reported a 13 per cent rise in pretax…

First Derivatives, a financial software and consulting specialist firm based in Newry, has reported a 13 per cent rise in pretax profits to £5.4 million (€6.12 million) for the year to the end of February 2009.

The company said revenues rose 39 per cent to £17.5 million. Operating profit for the year rose 13 per cent to £5.9 million.

The company is proposing a full-year dividend of 9 pence.

Chief executive Brian Conlon said 2008/2009 marked a thirteenth year of continuous growth for the company, despite the turbulence of the market.

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He said the last 18 months had seen “unprecedented” upheaval in capital markets.

“We continue to work with a broad customer base and last year provided services to 48 different investment banks and hedge funds in London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Stockholm and Dublin."

He said the company continued to invest in research and development and had hired technology experts and experienced consultants over the last year.

Staff numbers at the firm more than doubled last year from 118 to 243.

First Derivatives provides specialist financial software and consultancy services to the financial services industry.

At 1.30pm shares in the company were up over 3 per cent at €3.05 giving the company a market capitalisation of €39.6 million.