Michael Page International plc, a U.K.-based professional staffing firm, reported second-quarter gross profit rose 1.6 percent to £138.0 million (US$215.5 million). However, the company reported its second-quarter North American gross profit fell 7 percent compared with the second quarter of last year.

“In North America, we were impacted by the difficulties in the financial services sector,” according to the company. “However, our newer offices in Houston and San Francisco performed well. We have strengthened the management team in the region and expect to benefit from this in the future.”

North America gross profit represents 4 percent of the firm’s total gross profit, or approximately £5.5 million (US$8.6 million).