Rail specialist Jarvis has said it is optimistic about results for the year ended 31 March 2009 despite the impact of the credit crunch.

It said fuel costs and the economic downturn had hit its plant and freight divisions. The consensus forecast is pre-tax profit of £11m on turnover of £305m. In May, the company announced a return to the black after making a loss of £21.7m in 2006.