International recruiter the Kelly Group has encountered the ‘toughest’ trading of the year so far, according to its third quarter results.

Revenues were down 7.5%, while earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the quarter were down 56%.

Placements for the quarter fell 40.3%, compared to the same period last year.

Outsource revenue fared better than the perm segment with only a 12.5% fall in the outsource headcount, causing a 9.4% decline in outsource revenue compared to the same quarter last year.

In a statement, Kelly adds that it expects trading conditions to remain tough for the foreseeable future.