Bookings were boosted by a39 percent jump in outsourcing services. The situation by region was a mixed bag, with revenue inEurope rising 1.4 percent, led by Britain, while sales in NorthAmerica fell 6.9 percent. Market expectations were for total first-quarter sales of2.18 billion euros, according to several analysts. Outsourcing services rose 1.1 percent, while technologyservices gained 0.4 percent.

Revenue from the Sogetiprofessional services unit declined 0.7 percent. For the second half of the year, Capgemini sees a salesdecline ranging from 0.5 percent to 3.5 percent, Hermelin said. SALES ABOVE EXPECTATIONS First-quarter sales were 2.21 billion euros ($2.93 billion),a reported rise of 0.9 percent but a 0.3 percent drop on alike-for-like basis Consulting services sales fell 9.8 percent. Hermelin told shareholdersthe 2009 margin would narrow but "not collapse". Capgemini had earlier confirmed its guidance that first-halflike-for-like revenue would decline by around 2 percent, with anoperating margin remaining above 6.5 percent compared with 7.6percent in the same period of 2008. Britain's tax authorities for instance are Capgemini's top client, accounting for over 10 percent of its turnover. Capgemini had enough visibility on the third quarter to givea 2009 sales outlook but that it would be premature to commenton the operating margin for the year.

Capgemini also benefits from strong exposure tocrisis-resilient sectors such as the public sector andutilities, which represent nearly 40 percent of its sales, andfrom its growing use of offshore staff, chiefly in India. "Price conditions remain extremely difficult but ourbusiness opportunity pipeline is growing," he added. "Today the period of shock (among clients) stemming from thecrisis seems to be coming to an end, notably in North America.We are going from a halt in discretionary spending to anorganised search for savings opportunities," he said. In March, Accenture reported a 6 percent drop in sales forits second quarter ended Feb. 28 and lowered its full-yearprofit outlook, sending shockwaves throughout the sector.Anglo-Dutch computer services company Logica (LOG.L)(LOG.AS) on Thursday predicted its first-half revenue would easeand saw little change in the second half, reflecting a difficultmarket in consulting and professional services [nLU905154].Hermelin tied Capgemini's resilience to the global downturnto its 35 percent exposure to outsourcing, which is in demand ascorporations are seeking savings. "In the context of the macro backdrop this is a creditableperformance in relation to valuation," Deutsche Bank said in aresearch note.

You cancount on us to come out of this crisis as winners," ChiefExecutive Officer Paul Hermelin told the annual shareholdermeeting on Thursday. By 1137 GMT, Capgemini shares had gained 5.50 percent to28.59 euros, outperforming a 0.34 percent rise in Europeantechnology stocks .SX8P. The French company, which competes for IT budgets with U.S.giant Accenture (ACN.N) and France's Atos Origin (ATOS.PA),predicted that like-for-like sales would decline by around 2percent in 2009, after they eased 0.3 percent in the firstquarter, with consulting services taking the biggest hit "The group is mobilised and showing good resilience. No matter who you are rooting for this is going to be a heck of a game and a can't miss for any hockey fan and any non hockey fan for that matter. I'm sure after watching this game you might just become a hockey fan if you aren't one now. . * Q1 sales 2.21 bln euros, down 0.3 percent like-for-like France * Keeps H1 2009 goals for sales, operating margin * Eyes 2009 sales decline of around 2 percent * Shares rise over 5 percent (Adds CEO comments from AGM, Logica, updates shares)By Dominique VidalonPARIS, April 30 (Reuters) - Capgemini (CAPP.PA) has enoughvisibility to give a full-year sales outlook followingbetter-than-expected first quarter sales even amid the globaldownturn, Europe's largest computer consultancy said.