Computacenter issues profit warning

IT services firm Computacenter says it has experienced a "difficult first quarter" in its UK and French markets, and has issued a profits warning.

UK sales in the quarter, including acquisitions, were up 1.1% to £346.6m, but on a like-for-like basis actually fell by 1.5%, said the firm.

Group sales were up 1.8% to £598.4m, helped by the strength of the euro against sterling. The market in Germany performed well, said Computacenter.

"However, it is likely that the pre-tax profit will be more skewed towards the second half [the second quarter] which may result in the first half [of the year] being slightly below the first half of last year," said the firm.

"This is due to not achieving our revenue growth objectives to date, despite increased investments," it said.