Q3 Trading Update

Michael Page International PLC 05 October 2006 5 October 2006 2006 - Q3 TRADING UPDATE Michael Page International plc, the specialist recruitment consultancy, reports quarterly Group gross profit for the third quarter of £89.0m. This represents an increase of 28.7% over the £69.2m recorded in the third quarter of 2005. In the UK, third quarter gross profit was £40.9m, an increase of 21% over the £33.9m recorded in the third quarter of 2005. We continue to achieve good growth across all disciplines and UK regions. In Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), third quarter gross profit was £30.2m, an increase of 46% over the £20.6m recorded in the third quarter of 2005. During the third quarter we continued to progress our strategy of organic expansion, opening offices in Russia, United Arab Emirates and South Africa, all of which recorded their first gross profit. In October we will open an office in the Republic of Ireland. In Asia Pacific, third quarter gross profit was £12.1m, an increase of 10% over the £11.0m recorded in the third quarter of 2005. In Australia third quarter gross profit was relatively flat, as anticipated. The management and operational changes in the region are now complete and have been positively received, although they are unlikely to have any significant impact on the remainder of the year. In the Americas, third quarter gross profit was £5.9m, an increase of 60% over the £3.7m recorded in the third quarter of 2005. In North America we continued to add disciplines, launching our fourth - Engineering - during the third quarter. In Latin America we opened our fourth office in Campinas, Brazil. During the third quarter, the Group repurchased a further 6.1m shares at an average price of 326p, at a cost of £19.9m. In the year to date the Group has repurchased 17.45m shares at an average price of 340p, at a cost of £59.3m. The Group will announce its fourth quarter and full year trading update on 8th January 2007. Commenting on the third quarter trading, Steve Ingham, Chief Executive said: "During the third quarter, we have continued to deliver strong growth in gross profit and to make investments for the future. All the countries where we have commenced operations this year generated gross profits in the third quarter. Our trading performance in the third quarter demonstrates both the power of our business in our established markets and our ability to roll this out successfully and profitably into new geographies and disciplines." Enquiries: Michael Page International plc Steve Ingham Chief Executive 01932 264144 Stephen Puckett Finance Director 01932 264144 Financial Dynamics Richard Mountain/David Yates 020 7269 7121 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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