Huntsworth today reported a 0.9 percent dip in first-half revenues due to continued declines at its Grayling flagship, which accounts for 45 percent of group activity, and consumer-oriented Red (eight percent of business).

They posted fall-offs of 5.4 percent, and 3.9 percent, respectively.

Those declines were partially offset by a 7.7 percent advance by Citigate financial (13 percent) and a 3.3 percent rise at Huntsworth Health (33 percent).

COO Sally Withey noted the “early signs of recovery in the financial and specialist divisions.”

A rebounding financial sector “normally is the first to recover” from economic downturns, according to Withey.

Huntsworth is confident that its 2013 financial performance remains on track to meet management expectations.

The firm has reduced its past dependence on the U.K. and Continental Europe market, which once accounted for 60 percent of revenues, and stepped up investment in the faster growing U.S., Middle East and Asia-Pacific sector.

A revitalized Grayling, under the new leadership of Edelman alum Pete Pedersen, has revamped operations with an emphasis on Big Data analytics.

CEO Lord Chadlington also has high hopes for China with the completion of the October sale of a 19.8 percent stake to Blue Focus Communications Group, which is listed on the Shezhen Stock Market.

Huntsworth is working with the U.K. Trade and Investment unit of the British Embassy to develop business opportunities inside and outside of China.