UK shipbroking giant Clarksons has announced a slightly weaker profit after a challenging start to 2018.

Net earnings were £32.7m ($42.48m), from £34.4m the year before, with revenue growing to £337.6m against £324m.

Administrative expenses were up at £282m versus £269m in 2017.

The company said the "robust performance" was in line with expectations, despite the challenging beginning.