Computacenter enjoys a solid 2017

Computacenter investors have got used to the phrase "above expectations" with the channel player consistently performing well in 2017.

With the full results expected in early March the firm has issued a pre-close trading statement for fiscal 2017 and indicated that the pre-tax numbers are looking decent.

"The adjusted pre-tax results for the year are anticipated to be ahead of the Board's expectations," the firm stated.

Group revenue for the year increased by 12% by £408m. Services turnover increased by 7%, supply chain was up by 14%.

In the UK revenue climbed by 9% with services up by 6% and supply chain climbed by 10%.

"The fourth quarter was particularly strong with Services revenue up 9%, Supply Chain up 18% with an overall revenue growth of 16%, the best fourth quarter growth we have seen in the UK for a number of years," the firm disclosed in the trading statement.

Germany was up by 15% and France also came in with double digit growth of 13%.

It was a busy second half of the year at Computacenter with the firm not only indicating to investors that the results were running ahead of expectations but also the appointment of Neil Hall as UK managing director and the decision to set up a base in Dublin to serve the Irish market.

The drivers for the firm's growth, which had plenty to do with customers looking for help with digital transformation strategies, show no sign of disappearing in 2018.

"While it is still very early in 2018, the Board expect the year to be one of stable profitability," the firm stated.

There is the prospect of some charges and investments to the business coming in next year but the firm stated that they would not have an impact on profitability.