Atos Origin reports slowdown in 2008 Q4 growth

Atos Origin has reported a strong rate of growth throughout 2008, with an overall rate of 5.6%, but with a slowdown by the fourth quarter.

Growth was running at 3.6% by the fourth quarter. This was compared with a 5.3% growth rate for the third quarter, and 6.8% for the first half of the year.

While some parts of the business continue to perform solidly, the company saw "cyclical activities" in consulting and systems integration, which witnessed a slowdown.

The slowdown in the company's systems integration business was mainly caused by a slowdown in the Netherlands. The company said, "The United Kingdom and Germany and Central Europe performed well, with 5% growth thanks to a good level of business made with clients such as Dresdner Bank, E-Plus, Highways Agency or the NHS."

The company will announce its 2008 results on 18 February, and its first quarter of 2009 revenue on 29 April.