Robert Walters has posted a 24% fall in fourth-quarter profits.

The recruitment firm revealed a fall in profits from £94.2m last year to £71.4m. Profits at the firm have fallen the past two consecutive quarters, where profits were down 34% and 30% respectively.

Robert Walters operates in over 30 countries and said the current climate was challenging, however, was optimistic about the improving conditions in the Asia Pacific.

Full-year profits are expected to come in at the upper end of the forecast, despite the drop in profits over the past year.

Chief executive Robert Walters said: “Once again I would like to begin by thanking all of our people across the globe, whose wellbeing remains our number one priority, for the incredible durability and commitment they have shown during this most unprecedented and difficult of years.

“It’s their drive, passion for the business and singular focus on helping our clients and candidates that has enabled the Group to deliver such a resilient performance.“I am however pleased to say that the better than expected performance in the fourth quarter, coupled with the sensible and targeted short-term cost reduction and control measures that were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, means that profit for the full year is likely to be ahead of current market expectations,” he added.

Robert Walters shares (LON: RWA) are trading +4.82% at 484,25 (0931GMT).

The Hut Group saw Q4 sales come in ahead of expectations, thanks to a 3.5m boost in new customers.

Revenues in the three months to December 31 were up by 51% year-on-year, this was more than the expected 40-45% increase.

Group revenue for the fourth quarter was £558.7m, up from last year’s £370.0m. Revenue was boosted by the firm’s acquisition of Dermstore.com and growth in demand for beauty products, which soared by 66%.

Over the fourth quarter, the group added 3.5m new customers. Over the whole year, The Hut Group saw an increase of 10.7m.

Matthew Moulding, Executive Chairman and CEO commented: “I am pleased to report another strong performance through Q4 2020, during what has been a transformational year for THG. Due to the focus and dedication of our rapidly growing global workforce we have delivered some significant milestones in 2020.

“Following our successful listing on the London Stock Exchange in September 2020, we have accelerated our sales growth across all areas of the Group, underpinned by record new customer numbers. We have also started reinvesting capital raised at IPO, including over £360m in M&A, principally within the US beauty sector.

“Furthermore, we have also invested significantly in our people, creating 3,000 new jobs during 2020, largely within the U.K, but also across our international operations. During 2020, we have made significant progress in commercialising our Ingenuity Platform, fast becoming a major global player in taking brands direct to consumers.

“Each of these milestones further underpin THG’s strategic growth pillars outlined at IPO, giving management significant confidence when looking ahead to 2021 and beyond, and driving the increase in our guidance for the year ahead,” he added.

The Hut Group shares (LON: THG) are trading 2.66% higher at 811,00 (0849GMT).

Passenger numbers at Heathrow airport have plunged 75% in 2020, down to 22.1m.

The number of people passing through the airport last year was 85m fewer than in 2019.

In October, Heathrow was no longer deemed Europe’s largest airport and the drop in passengers led to Charles de Gaulle in Paris taking the title.

The pandemic has led to a sharp drop in passengers in 2020 and despite fewer restrictions in December, the number of people travelling through the airport was still down 83% to 1.1m.

Recent rules introduces means that passengers arriving in the UK are having to provide a negative Coronavirus test. Heathrow’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye commented: “While we support tightening border controls temporarily by introducing pre-departure testing for international arrivals, as well as quarantine, this is not sustainable.”

“The aviation industry is the cornerstone of the UK economy but is fighting for survival. We need a road map out of this lockdown, and a full waiver of business rates.

“This is an opportunity for the government to show leadership in creating a Common International Standard for pre-departure testing that will allow travel and trade to restart safely so that we can start to deliver the Prime Minister’s vision of a Global Britain,” he added.

The airport has introduced rapid Covid tests. Tests available at the airport will cost £80 and results will be made available within the hour and will be offered by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Cathay Pacific.

“Many other countries are already using testing to keep their borders safe while restarting trade and travel,” said Holland-Kaye. “These facilities will make it easier for passengers going to those countries to get a test and have the potential to provide a service for arriving passengers,” he added.

Dr Martens is planning its float on the London Stock Exchange, in what would be one of the first big public offerings of 2021.

The iconic footwear retailer, which sells shoes in 60 countries across the world, is owned by Permira.

In the year ending Mach 2020, the group saw revenues of £672m. In the six months ending 30 September 2020, the group had revenues of £318.2m, which is an 18% year-on-year growth.

Chairman Paul Mason said: “We have made significant investment in the business over the last few years to strengthen the team, our operations and position ourselves for the next exciting stage of development, as a publicly listed company. We’re also committed to strong corporate governance and making sure we always do things the right way.”

Dr Martens is working with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley ahead of the flotation.

Chief executive Kenny Wilson said: “Our iconic brand appeals to a diverse range of consumers around the world who wear our footwear to express their individual style. We have invested massively to ensure that we deliver the best digital and store experiences to connect with our wearers, and through this we are driving our long term, sustainable growth.”

Due to strong trading last year, the retailer returned money from the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme. Dr Martens said in a statement: “Given the resilience in trading and financial strength of the business, the board took the decision to return the taxpayer funds utilised from the UK Government furlough scheme, and these funds have now been repaid.”

JD Sports shares were up over 4% this morning after the group said that its profits will be ahead of market expectations.

The retailer released a trading update for the Christmas period, where it said it expects pre-tax profits to come in at around £400m – this is much higher than the average forecasts of £295m.

Total revenues for the 22-week period to 2 January 2021 were more than 5% ahead of the prior year as consumers “readily switched between physical and digital channels.”

Looking ahead, JD Sports has said that the effects of the pandemic are continuing to present challenges.

“Whilst we are confident that we have the proposition to continue to attract consumers throughout this period, the process to scale down activity in stores and scale up the digital channels, often at extremely short notice, presents significant challenges. We are indebted to all of our colleagues in our different territories who have had to adopt new ways of working,” said the retailer in a statement.

JD Sports said that because of the ongoing uncertain outlook and UK stores likely to be closed until at least Easter, its current best estimate is for 5%-10% growth in headline pre-tax profit.

Last month, shares in the retailer surged as it bought sportswear brand Shoe Palace in a deal worth $325m (£243.7m).

The deal means that JD Sports is extending presence in California and other US states including Texas, Florida and Nevada. The deal was all in cash and the owner of the retailer, Genesis, will then have 100% of both Shoe Palace shares.

JD sports shares are trading 4.68% higher at 890,60 (0850GMT).