Second-quarter revenue n Calian Technologies Ltd.’s (TSX: CTY.TO) business and technology services segment fell 5.7 percent year over year to C$42.9 million (US$42.1 million) in the company’s fiscal second quarter ended March 31. The segment provides IT staffing and other services while Calian’s other division, systems engineering, includes nonstaffing operations and primarily serves the satellite communications sector.

Gross margin in the business and technology services segment fell to 15.1 percent from 16.0 percent in the company’s fiscal second quarter of the previous year. Calian stated that competitive pressure on margins when bidding for new work is expected to remain strong, and holding business and technology services margins at current levels for the balance of the year will be a challenge.

Total second-quarter revenue at the company fell 4.4 percent to C$58.9 million (US$57.9 million) from C$61.6 million in the same quarter last year. Gross margin narrowed to 18.5 percent from 18.7 percent in the year-ago quarter.