A strong international performance and the fruits of a cost-reduction plan lifted global loss adjuster Crawford & Company’s second-quarter profit to $US8.6 million ($11.18 million) – more than double the figure for the corresponding period last year.

International earnings for the June quarter were $US10.97 million ($14.27 million), up from $US1.16 million ($1.5 million).

Operating earnings were $US23.88 million ($31.07 million), compared with $US17.68 million ($22.99 million).

Revenue before reimbursements was down to $US282.3 million ($367.41 million) from $US304.4 million ($396.18 million).

CEO Harsha Agadi has hailed the results as strong in challenging market conditions, with revenue contracting due to continued, expected declines at legal administration services provider Garden City Group and foreign exchange headwinds.

“Looking at our second-quarter results in more detail, our international segment showed the most improved performance as we are nearly complete with the integration of the GAB Robins [loss adjuster] acquisition,” he said.

“The cost-reduction plan we initiated through last year has positioned Crawford to drive margin expansion and more predictable results, even in more difficult markets, like we experienced through the second quarter.”