Shares in multidisciplinary consultant Atkins rose 27.5p, or 3%, to 865p last week, despite a subdued trading update.

The company was underwhelmed by the market in the second half of its financial year, describing trading in the period as "satisfactory".

However, it said that despite this, its results for the year to 31 March were expected to be at the upper end of City expectations.

Atkins warned that its rail business' full-year performance would be affected by "the ongoing recovery of the Metronet capital programme", referring to its London Underground consortium that is behind schedule on planned works.

However, Atkins said that its design and engineering business, as well as its management and project services division, had performed well. Wins in design and engineering included work for the Carbon Trust and the British Nuclear Group and its management consultancy division won a five-year contract with Government Communications Headquarters.

The rail business will be affected by the recovery of the Metronet programme

Atkins trading statement

Atkins also announced that it had just signed a three-year, 拢65m contract with Network Rail to undertake a resignalling and infrastructure upgrade in and around Basingstoke.

The work, which will take place in three phases, will include the design and installation of a signal control centre and 185 signals covering more than 60 miles of line.