Hogg Robinson Group during the six months to September 30 processed 6 percent more transactions than in the year-earlier period

while client spending increased 4 percent. That points to a reduced average transaction price, resulting in part from growth in lower-priced U.K. domestic bookings, including a significant rise in rail bookings. The largest regional improvement was in North America, where both transactions and client spending jumped 13 percent. In Europe, overall transaction volume rose 2 percent and client spending increased 6 percent, though specific market performance was mixed, including improvement in the United Kingdom, Finland and Denmark, but weaker numbers for Germany and Sweden. In Asia, transactions increased 1 percent while client spending retreated 3 percent. In spite of overall increased client activity, a continuing shift to online booking slightly pushed down HRG's six-month revenue to £168.4 million (US$271.7 million) from £168.9 million (US$272.5 million). Underlying profit remained unchanged at £22.7 million (US$36.6 million).