Half-year Report - Part 3 of 3

RNS Number : 0774I
abrdn PLC
10 August 2021
 

abrdn plc

Half year results 2021       

Part 3 of 3

10 August 2021

 

5. Supplementary information

5.1  Key performance indicators

 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined as the measures by which the development, performance or position of the business can be measured effectively. The KPIs that we use may not be directly comparable with similarly named measures used by other companies.

5.2  Alternative performance measures

We assess our performance using a variety of measures that are not defined under IFRS and are therefore termed alternative performance measures (APMs). The APMs that we use may not be directly comparable with similarly named measures used by other companies. We have presented below reconciliations from these APMs to the most appropriate measure prepared in accordance with IFRS. All APMs should be read together with the IFRS condensed consolidated income statement, IFRS condensed consolidated statement of financial position and IFRS condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, which are presented in the Financial information section of this report. Ratios are presented in Section 5.4.

 

KPI

 

KPIs are defined as the measures by which the development, performance or position of the business can be measured effectively.

Definition

Purpose

Adjusted operating profit

KPI

 

 

 

Adjusted operating profit before tax is the Group's key APM. Adjusted operating profit includes the results of the Group three growth vectors: Investments, Adviser; and Personal along with the Corporate/Strategic segment.

It excludes the Group's adjusted net financing costs and investment return, the results from the Group's associates, joint ventures and discontinued operations.

Adjusted operating profit also excludes the impact of the following items:

· Restructuring costs and corporate transaction expenses. Restructuring includes the impact of major regulatory change.

· Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and through the purchase of customer contracts.

· Profit or loss arising on the disposal of a subsidiary, joint venture and associates accounted for using the equity method.

· Change in fair value of/dividends from significant listed investments.

· Fair value movements in contingent consideration in relation to continuing operations.

· Items which are one-off and, due to their size or nature, are not indicative of the
long-term operating performance of the Group.

Further details are included in Note 4.10 of the Financial information section.

Fee based revenue is a component of adjusted operating profit and includes revenue we generate from asset management charges (AMCs), platform charges and other transactional charges. Fee based revenue is shown net of fees, costs of sale, commissions and similar charges. Refer to Note 4.5 of the Financial information section.

Adjusted operating profit has replaced adjusted profit before tax as the Group's key APM. Adjusted operating profit reporting provides further analysis of the results reported under IFRS and the Directors believe it helps to give shareholders a fuller understanding of the performance of the business by identifying and analysing adjusting items.

Adjusted operating profit is consistent with the way that financial performance is measured by management and reported to the Board and executive leadership team.

Fee based revenue is shown net of commission, costs of sale and similar charges so as to show the net charges received on AUMA and provides the basis for reporting of the fee revenue yield financial ratio.

 

Adjusted profit before tax

 

 

 

In addition to the results included in adjusted operating profit above, adjusted profit before tax includes adjusted net financing costs and investment return. Adjusted profit before tax now excludes the share of profit from associates and joint ventures and 2020 comparatives have been restated on this basis.

Adjusted profit before tax is a key input to the adjusted earnings per share measure.

Adjusted capital generation

 

 

 KPI

 

 

Adjusted capital generation is part of the analysis of movements in CRDIV regulatory capital. Adjusted capital generation is calculated as adjusted profit after tax less returns relating to pension schemes in surplus, which do not benefit regulatory capital. It also includes dividends from associates, joint ventures and significant listed investments.

This measure aims to show how adjusted profit contributes to regulatory capital, and therefore provides insight into our ability to generate capital that is deployed to support value for shareholders.

 

Definition

Purpose

Cash and liquid resources

 

Cash and liquid resources are IFRS cash and cash equivalents (netted down for overdrafts), money market instruments and holdings in money market funds. It also includes surplus cash that has been invested in liquid assets such as high quality corporate bonds, gilts and pooled investment funds. Seed capital and co-investments are excluded.

The purpose of this measure is to demonstrate how much cash and invested assets we hold and can be readily accessed.

 

5.2.1 Adjusted operating profit and adjusted profit

Reconciliation of adjusted operating profit and adjusted profit to IFRS profit by component

The key components of adjusted operating profit are fee based revenue and adjusted operating expenses. These components provide a meaningful analysis of our adjusted results. The table below provides a reconciliation of movements between adjusted operating profit component measures and relevant IFRS terms. A reconciliation of Fee based revenue to the IFRS item Revenue from contracts with customers is provided in Note 4.5 of the Financial information section.

Adjusted profit term

Group adjusted profit

Presentation differences

Adjusting items

 Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

Associates and joint ventures

Group IFRS

IFRS term

H1 2021

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

 

Fee based revenue

 

 

KPI

755

179

147

3

-

1,084

Total income

Adjusted operating expenses

(595)

(179)

(164)

-

-

(938)

Total expenses

Adjusted operating profit

160

-

(17)

3

-

146

 

Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

3

-

-

(3)

-

-

N/A

N/A

-

-

-

-

(33)

(33)

Share of profit from associates and JVs

Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations

163

-

(17)

-

(33)

113

Profit before tax

Tax on adjusted profit

(13)

-

2

-

-

(11)

Total tax expense

Adjusted profit after tax from continuing operations

150

-

(15)

-

(33)

102

Profit for the period from continuing operations

Adjusted profit after tax from discontinued operations

-

-

-

-

-

Profit for the period from discontinued operations

Adjusted profit after tax

150

-

(15)

-

(33)

102

Profit for the period

 

Adjusted profit term

Group adjusted profit

Presentation differences

Adjusting items

 Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

Associates and joint ventures

Group IFRS

IFRS term

H1 2020

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

 

Fee based revenue

706

4

663

(13)

-

1,360

 Total income

Adjusted operating expenses

(601)

(4)

(1,259)

-

-

(1,864)

Total expenses

Adjusted operating profit

105

-

(596)

(13)

-

(504)

 

Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

(13)

-

-

13

-

-

N/A

N/A

-

-

-

-

6

6

Share of profit from associates and JVs1

Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations

92

-

(596)

-

6

(498)

Profit before tax

Tax on adjusted profit

(13)

-

7

-

-

(6)

Total tax expense

Adjusted profit after tax from continuing operations

79

-

(589)

-

6

(504)

Profit for the period from continuing operations

Adjusted profit after tax from discontinued operations

-

-

-

-

-

-

Profit for the period from discontinued operations

Adjusted profit after tax

79

-

(589)

-

6

(504)

Profit for the period

Includes £130m impairment of interests in associates and joint ventures.

This reconciliation includes a number of reconciling items which arise due to presentation differences between IFRS reporting requirements and the determination of fee based revenue and adjusted operating expenses. Fee based revenue and adjusted operating expenses exclude items which have an equal and opposite effect on IFRS income and IFRS expenses in the consolidated income statement. This particularly relates to income and expenses of unit linked funds, where investment returns are for the account of policyholders. Investment return from unit linked business in H1 2021 was £92m (H1 2020: (£88m)). Other presentation differences also include commission and other cost of sales expenses which are presented in expenses in the consolidated income statement but are netted against fee based revenue in the analysis of adjusted operating profit.

Reconciliation to previously disclosed information

H1 2020 as previously disclosed


Asset management associates and joint ventures

Insurance associates and joint ventures


H1 2020 on revised basis


£m

£m

£m

£m

 

Fee based revenue

706

-

-

706

Fee based revenue

Adjusted operating expenses

(601)

-

-

(601)

Adjusted operating expenses

Adjusted operating profit

105

-

-

105

Adjusted operating profit

Capital management

(13)

-

-

(13)

Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

Share of associates' and joint ventures' profit before tax

103

(22)

(81)

-

N/A

Adjusted profit before tax

195

(22)

(81)

92

Adjusted profit before tax

Tax on adjusted profit

(13)

-

-

(13)

Tax on adjusted profit

Share of associates' and joint ventures' tax expense

(19)

7

12

-

N/A

Adjusted profit after tax

163

(15)

(69)

79

Adjusted profit after tax

Adjusted for the following items





Adjusted for the following items

Restructuring and corporate transaction expenses

(147)

4

12

(131)

Restructuring and corporate transaction expenses

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and through the purchase of customer contracts

(1,175)

-

51

(1,124)

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and through the purchase of customer contracts

Profit on disposal of interests in subsidiaries

8

-

-

8

Profit on disposal of interests in subsidiaries

Profit on disposal of interests in associates

651

-

-

651

Profit on disposal of interests in associates

Impairment of associates and joint ventures

(130)

45

85

-

N/A

Change in fair value of significant listed investments

-

-

-

-

Change in fair value of significant listed investments

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes

124

-

(124)

-

N/A

N/A

-

-

-

-

Dividends from significant listed investments'

Other

(4)

-

4

-

Other

Total adjusting items

(673)

49

28

(596)

Adjusting items

N/A

-

30

106

136

Share of profit from associates and joint ventures

N/A

-

(45)

(85)

(130)

Impairment of associates and joint ventures

N/A

(673)

34

49

(590)

Total adjusting items including results of associates and joint ventures

Tax on adjusting items

7

-

-

7

Tax on adjusting items

Share of associates' and joint ventures' tax expense on adjusting items

(1)

(19)

20

-

N/A

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests (preference shares)

(5)

-

-

(5)

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests (preference shares)

Loss for the period attributable to equity shareholders of abrdn plc

(509)

-

-

(509)

Loss for the period attributable to equity shareholders of abrdn plc

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests





Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

Preference shares

5

-

-

5

Preference shares

Loss for the period

(504)

-

-

(504)

Loss for the period

 

FY 2020 as previously disclosed


Asset management associates and joint ventures

Insurance associates and joint ventures


FY 2020 on revised basis


£m

£m

£m

£m

 

Fee based revenue

1,425

-

-

1,425

Fee based revenue

Adjusted operating expenses

(1,206)

-

-

(1,206)

Adjusted operating expenses

Adjusted operating profit

219

-

-

219

Adjusted operating profit

Capital management

21

-

-

21

Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

Share of associates' and joint ventures' profit before tax

247

(44)

(203)

-

N/A

Adjusted profit before tax

487

(44)

(203)

240

Adjusted profit before tax

Tax on adjusted profit

(38)

-

-

(38)

Tax on adjusted profit

Share of associates' and joint ventures' tax expense

(38)

12

26

-

N/A

Adjusted profit after tax

411

(32)

(177)

202

Adjusted profit after tax

Adjusted for the following items





Adjusted for the following items

Restructuring and corporate transaction expenses

(355)

10

29

(316)

Restructuring and corporate transaction expenses

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and through the purchase of customer contracts

(1,287)

-

107

(1,180)

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and through the purchase of customer contracts

Profit on disposal of interests in subsidiaries

8

-

-

8

Profit on disposal of interests in subsidiaries

Profit on disposal of interests in associates

1,858

-

-

1,858

Profit on disposal of interests in associates

Impairment of associates and joint ventures

(45)

45

-

-

N/A

Change in fair value of significant listed investments

65

-

-

65

Change in fair value of significant listed investments

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes

46

-

(46)

-

N/A

N/A

-

-

-

-

Dividends from significant listed investments

Other

78

-

(64)

14

Other

Total adjusting items

368

55

26

449

Adjusting items

N/A

-

42

152

194

Share of profit from associates and joint ventures

N/A

-

(45)

-

(45)

Impairment of joint ventures

N/A

368

52

178

598

Total adjusting items including results of associates and joint ventures

Tax on adjusting items

53

-

-

53

Tax on adjusting items

Share of associates' and joint ventures' tax expense on adjusting items

21

(20)

(1)

-

N/A

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests (preference shares)

(5)

-

-

(5)

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests (preference shares)

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders of abrdn plc

848

-

-

848

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders of abrdn plc

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests





Profit attributable to non-controlling interests

Preference shares

5

-

-

5

Preference shares

Profit for the year

853

-

-

853

Profit for the year

 

5.2.2 Adjusted capital generation

The table below provides a reconciliation of movements between adjusted profit after tax and adjusted capital generation. A reconciliation of adjusted profit after tax to IFRS profit for the period is included earlier in this section.


H1 2021

H1 2020

 

£m

£m

Adjusted profit after tax1

150

79

Less net interest credit relating to the staff pension schemes

(9)

(10)

Add dividends received from associates, joint ventures and significant listed investments

35

34

Adjusted capital generation

176

103

1  H1 2020 restated to exclude the share of associates and joint ventures adjusted profit after tax.

Net interest credit relating to the staff pension schemes

The net interest credit relating to the staff pension schemes are the contribution to adjusted profit before tax from defined benefit pension schemes which are in surplus and reconciled below:


H1 2021

H1 2020

 

£m

£m

Total income recognised in the consolidated income statement

9

10

Net interest credit relating to the staff pension schemes

9

10

Dividends received from associates, joint ventures and significant listed investments

An analysis is provided below:


H1 2021

H1 2020

 

£m

£m

Phoenix

35

34

Dividends received from associates, joint ventures and significant listed investments

35

34

 

5.2.3 Cash and liquid resources

The table below provides a reconciliation between IFRS cash and cash equivalents and cash and liquid resources. Seed capital and
co-investments are excluded.


H1 2021

FY 2020

 

£bn

£bn

Cash and cash equivalents per the IFRS condensed consolidated statement of financial position

1.3

1.5

Bank overdrafts

(0.2)

(0.2)

Debt securities excluding third party interests1

0.9

1.0

Corporate funds held in absolute return funds

0.2

0.2

Cash and liquid resources

2.2

2.5

Excludes £59m (FY 2020: £54m) relating to seeding.

5.3  Surplus regulatory capital

The £2.8bn indicative capital surplus below includes a deduction to allow for the interim dividend which will be paid in September 2021.

At 30 June 2021 the indicative regulatory capital position was as follows:


H1 2021

FY 2020

CRD IV Group regulatory capital position

£bn

£bn

Common Equity Tier 1 capital resources

3.4

2.9

Tier 2 capital resources

0.5

0.5

Total regulatory capital resources

3.9

3.4

Total regulatory capital requirements

(1.1)

(1.1)

Surplus regulatory capital

2.8

2.3

The Group's capital resources include c£0.8bn (FY 2020: c£0.8bn) from holdings in insurance entities that it is expected will no longer be eligible following the implementation of the Investment Firm Prudential Regime (IFPR) from 1 January 2022. The IFPR is also expected to introduce constraints on the proportion of the minimum capital requirement that can be met by each tier of capital. As a result, it is estimated that c£0.3bn of existing Tier 2 capital, whilst continuing to be reported within the Group's capital resources, would not be available to meet the current minimum capital requirement from 1 January 2022.

5.4  Financial ratios

We also use a number of financial ratios to help assess our performance and these are also not defined under IFRS. Details of our main financial ratios and how they are calculated are presented below:

Definition

Purpose and changes

 

Cost/income ratio

KPI

 

 

This is an efficiency measure that is calculated as adjusted operating expenses divided by fee based revenue in the period.

This ratio is used by management to assess efficiency and reported to the Board and executive leadership team.

This ratio is also a measure used to assess performance for remuneration purposes.

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

 

KPI

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated on adjusted profit after tax. The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted during the period to assume the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, such as share options granted to employees.

Details on the calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share are set out in Note 4.9 of the Financial information section.

Earnings per share is a commonly used financial metric which can be used to measure the profitability and capital efficiency of a company over time. We also calculate adjusted diluted earnings per share to illustrate the impact of adjusting items on the metric.

This ratio is used by management to assess performance and reported to the Board and executive leadership team.

 

Adjusted diluted capital generation per share

 

 


Adjusted diluted capital generation per share is calculated as adjusted capital generation divided by the weighted average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding.

This ratio is a measure used to assess performance for remuneration purposes.

 

Fee revenue yield (bps)



 

The fee revenue yield is calculated as annualised fee based revenue (excluding performance fees, SL Asia, Focus and Threesixty) divided by monthly average fee based assets.

The average revenue yield on fee based business is a measure that illustrates the average margin being earned on the assets that we manage, administer or advise our clients on.

Fee revenue yield is now presented on a vector basis reflecting changes in our strategy. This includes changes in the allocation of fee based revenue, a reconciliation is provided in Section 5.4.4.

 

Investment performance

 

KPI


 

Investment performance has been aggregated using a money weighted average of our assets under management which are outperforming their respective benchmark. Calculations for investment performance are made gross of fees with the exception of those for which the stated comparator is net of fees. The investment performance calculation covers all funds that aim to outperform a benchmark, with certain assets excluded where this measure of performance is not appropriate or expected, such as private equity, execution only mandates and Aberdeen Standard Capital, as well as replication tracker funds which aim to perform in line with a given index.

As an asset managing business this measure demonstrates our ability to generate investment returns for our clients.

 

 

 

5.4.1 Cost/income ratio

 

H1 2021

H1 2020

Adjusted operating expenses (£m)

(595)

(601)

Fee based revenue (£m)

755

706

Cost/income ratio (%)

79

85

 

5.4.2 Adjusted diluted capital generation per share

A reconciliation of adjusted capital generation to adjusted profit after tax is included in 5.2.2 above.


H1 2021

H1 2020

Adjusted capital generation (£m)

176

103

Weighted average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding (millions) - Note 4.9

2,156

2,244

Adjusted diluted capital generation per share (pence)

8.2

4.6

In accordance with IAS 33, no share options and awards were treated as dilutive for the six months ended 30 June 2020 due to the loss attributable to equity holders of the Company from continuing operations in that period. See Note 4.9.

5.4.3 Fee revenue yield (bps)1

 

Average AUMA (£bn)


Fee based revenue (£m)


Fee revenue yield (bps)


H1 2021

H1 2020


H1 2021

H1 2020


H1 2021

H1 2020

Investments

 

 


 

 


 

 

Institutional and Wholesale2

249.4

230.1


490

454


39.4

39.3

Insurance

202.0

210.7


101

115


10.1

11.0

Adviser

69.0

60.0


87

69


25.3

23.1

Personal2

13.7

12.3


41

38


55.9

56.1

Parmenion3

7.2

7.0


14

11


38.1

33.4

Eliminations

(10.9)

(9.9)


N/A

N/A


N/A

N/A

Fee revenue yield2

530.4

510.2


733

687


27.6

26.8

SL Asia

 

 


-

7


 

 

Performance fees

 

 


22

12


 

 

Fee based revenue

 

 


755

706


 

 

 

Analysis of Institutional and Wholesale by asset class4,5

 

 

Average AUM (£bn)


Fee based revenue (£m)


Fee revenue yield (bps)


H1 2021

H1 2020


H1 2021

H1 2020


H1 2021

H1 2020

Equities

69.7

61.2


225

198


64.8

65.1

Fixed income

47.4

47.0


67

68


28.7

29.5

Multi-asset

34.4

32.4


58

64


34.1

39.8

Private equity

11.0

12.3


31

27


56.1

43.6

Real assets

34.2

31.6


82

75


48.5

47.6

Alternatives6

20.0

18.5


12

9


12.6

9.5

Quantitative

6.0

6.8


2

2


6.5

4.8

Liquidity

26.7

20.3


10

7


7.8

7.0

Institutional and Wholesale

249.4

230.1

 

487

450


39.4

39.3

Fee revenue yield is now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 has been restated on this basis. See Section 5.4.4 for more information.

Institutional and Wholesale fee revenue yield excludes revenue of £3m (H1 2020: £4m) and Personal fee revenue yield excludes revenue of £3m (H1 2020: £3m), for which there are no attributable assets.

Parmenion is included in the Corporate/strategic vector.

Excludes revenue of £3m (H1 2020: £4m), for which there are no attributable assets.

Analysis by asset class has been revised following a strategic review of our private markets capabilities. The changes reflect the creation of a real assets franchise, which brings together our real estate and infrastructure businesses, and consolidation of our private credit capabilities within fixed income. Comparatives have been restated on this basis.

Alternatives average AUM includes c£12bn (H1 2020: c£12bn) of lower margin advisory mandates.

Analysis of Adviser revenue yield

Fee based revenue (gross basis) includes revenue passed to the product provider as shown below in other cost of sales. The cost of sales are netted against fee based revenue as presented in 5.4.3 above. The fee revenue yield presented on a gross basis in the table below represents the average bps charge payable by clients.

 

Average AUMA (£bn)


Fee based revenue (£m)


Fee revenue yield (bps)


H1 2021

H1 2020


H1 2021

H1 2020


H1 2021

H1 2020

Fee based revenue (net of cost of sales)

69.0

60.0


87

69


25.3

23.1

Add: Other cost of sales - Note 4.5

N/A

N/A


1

13


N/A

N/A

Fee based revenue (gross of cost of sales)

69.0

60.0


88

82


25.6

27.4

 

5.4.4 Fee based revenue - reconciliation to previously disclosed information


Fee based revenue

Methodology change

Reallocation of technology business and Virgin Money revenue

Parmenion

reallocation

Fee based revenue


H1 2020 as previously disclosed

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

H1 2020 on revised basis

 


 

 

 

 

Investments

Institutional and Wholesale

445

4

5

-

454

Institutional and Wholesale

Strategic insurance partners

115

-

-

-

115

Insurance

Platforms and Wealth

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrap and Elevate

69

-

-

-

69

Adviser

Wealth

58

(4)

(5)

(11)

38

Personal

 

-

-

-

11

11

Parmenion

Eliminations

N/A

-

-

-

N/A

Eliminations

 

687

-

-

-

687

 

SL Asia

7

-

-

-

7

SL Asia

Performance fees

12

-

-

-

12

Performance fees

Fee based revenue

706

-

-

-

706

Fee based revenue

 

5.4.5 Investment performance

 

1 year


3 years


5 years

% of AUM ahead of benchmark1

H1 2021

FY 2020


H1 2021

FY 2020


H1 2021

FY 2020

Equities

55

73


65

74


45

62

Fixed income

75

78


85

81


93

85

Multi-asset

47

61


31

33


43

36

Real assets

63

41


56

37


52

44

Alternatives

26

95


98

95


98

93

Quantitative

88

32


16

17


39

24

Liquidity

88

94


87

89


87

87

Total

65

71


66

66


65

68

The investment performance calculation covers all funds (including Insurance) that aim to outperform a benchmark, with certain assets excluded where this measure of performance is not appropriate or expected. Calculations for investment performance are made gross of fees except where the stated comparator is net of fees. Further details about the calculation of investment performance are included in the Glossary.

5.5  Assets under management and administration and flows

Definition

Purpose and changes

AUMA

 

 

AUMA is a measure of the total assets we manage, administer or advise on behalf of our clients. It includes assets under management (AUM), assets under administration (AUA) and assets under advice (AUAdv).

AUM is a measure of the total assets that we manage on behalf of individual and institutional clients. AUM also includes captive assets managed on behalf of the Group including assets managed for corporate purposes.

AUA is a measure of the total assets we administer for clients through platform products such as ISAs and SIPPs.

AUAdv is a measure of the total assets we advise our clients on, for which there is an ongoing charge.

The amount of funds that we manage, administer or advise directly impacts the level of fee based revenue that we receive.

AUMA is now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 comparatives have been restated on this basis.

See Section 5.9 for a reconciliation to previously disclosed information.

Net flows

 

 

Net flows represent gross flows less redemptions. Gross flows are new funds from clients. Redemptions is the money withdrawn by clients during the period.

The level of net flows that we generate directly impacts the level of fee based revenue that we receive.

Net flows are now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 comparatives have been restated on this basis.

 

5.5.1 Analysis of AUMA1

 

Opening AUMA at
1 Jan 2021

Gross flows

Redemptions

Net flows

Market
and other movements

Corporate
actions
3

Closing AUMA at
30 Jun 2021

6 months ended 30 June 2021

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Institutional

171.7

9.1

(12. 5 )

(3.4)

0.8

2.5

171.6

Wholesale

80.0

12.9

( 14.0 )

(1.1)

1.6

-

80.5

Insurance

205.2

9.1

(12.9)

(3.8)

3.1

-

204.5

Adviser

67.0

4.6

(2.6)

2.0

3.3

-

72.3

Personal2

13.3

1.0

(0.5)

0.5

0.6

-

14.4

Parmenion

8.1

0.7

(0.4)

0.3

0.3

(8.7)

-

Eliminations2

(10.7)

(1.4)

1.3

(0.1)

(0.7)

-

(11.5)

Total AUMA

534.6

36.0

(41.6)

(5.6)

9.0

(6.2)

531.8

 

 

Opening AUMA at
1 Jan 2020

Gross flows

Redemptions

Net flows

Market
and other movements

Corporate
actions

Closing AUMA at
30 Jun 2020

6 months ended 30 June 2020

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Institutional

160.6

14.0

(12.6)

1.4

0.5

-

162.5

Wholesale

76.1

11.5

(13.5)

(2.0)

0.2

-

74.3

Insurance

235.8

9.2

(35.4)

(26.2)

(5.5)

-

204.1

Adviser

62.6

3.2

(2.1)

1.1

(2.5)

-

61.2

Personal2

12.8

0.6

(0.5)

0.1

(0.2)

-

12.7

Parmenion

6.9

0.8

(0.2)

0.6

(0.2)

-

7.3

Eliminations2

(10.2)

(1.1)

1.3

0.2

(0.3)

-

(10.3)

Total AUMA

544.6

38.2

(63.0)

(24.8)

(8.0)

-

511.8

AUMA is now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 has been restated on this basis. See Section 5.9 for more information.

Eliminations remove the double count reflected in Investments, Adviser and Personal. The Personal vector includes assets that are reflected in both Aberdeen Standard Capital and Advice businesses. This double count is also removed within Eliminations.

Corporate actions relate to the acquisition of a majority interest in Tritax on 1 April 2021 supplementing Institutional AUM by c£6bn at the acquisition date. This is partially offset by the disposal of our domestic real estate business in the Nordics region on 31 May 2021 which reduced AUM by c£3bn. The sale of Parmenion completed on 30 June 2021.

5.5.2 Quarterly net flows1

 

3 months to
30 Jun 21

3 months to
31 March 21

3 months to
31 Dec 20

3 months to
30 Sep 20

3 months to
30 Jun 20

15 months ended 30 June 2021

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Institutional

(0.7)

(2.7)

1.4

0.4

2.4

Wholesale

(0.5)

(0.6)

(0.4)

(0.5)

(0.2)

Insurance

(1.5)

(2.3)

(2.6)

(4.0)

0.3

Adviser

0.9

1.1

0.5

0.3

0.4

Personal

0.3

0.2

(0.1)

-

0.2

Parmenion

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.3

Eliminations

-

(0.1)

0.2

0.2

-

Total net flows

(1.3)

(4.3)

(0.8)

(3.4)

3.4

 

5.6  Institutional and Wholesale AUM2

Detailed asset class split

 

Opening AUM at
1 Jan 2021

Gross flows

Redemptions

Net flows

Market
and other movements

Corporate actions

Closing
AUM at
30 Jun 2021

6 months ended 30 June 2021

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Developed markets equities

14.7

1.7

(2.0)

(0.3)

1.5

-

15.9

Emerging markets equities

19.0

1.1

(2.0)

(0.9)

1.0

-

19.1

Asia Pacific equities

26.6

2.7

(3.0)

(0.3)

0.2

-

26.5

Global equities

8.9

0.8

(0.8)

-

0.6

-

9.5

Total equities

69.2

6.3

(7.8)

(1.5)

3.3

-

71.0

Developed markets credit

32.2

2.9

(4.4)

(1.5)

(1.5)

-

29.2

Developed markets rates

2.8

0.3

(0.2)

0.1

(1.8)

-

1.1

Emerging markets fixed income

12.2

2.3

(2.2)

0.1

1.3

-

13.6

Private credit

1.0

0.7

-

0.7

0.6

-

2.3

Total fixed income

48.2

6.2

(6.8)

(0.6)

(1.4)

-

46.2

Absolute return

11.5

0.4

(1.1)

(0.7)

(0.6)

-

10.2

Diversified growth/income

0.6

-

(0.1)

(0.1)

-

-

0.5

MyFolio

15.6

1.1

(1.4)

(0.3)

2.0

-

17.3

Other multi-asset

10.0

0.6

(0.7)

(0.1)

(3.0)

-

6.9

Total multi-asset

37.7

2.1

(3.3)

(1.2)

(1.6)

-

34.9

Total private equity

10.9

1.3

(0.5)

0.8

0.3

-

12.0

UK real estate

9.2

0.7

(0.5)

0.2

3.2

5.8

18.4

European real estate

12.1

0.6

(0.2)

0.4

0.7

(3.3)

9.9

Global real estate

1.8

0.2

(0.2)

-

-

-

1.8

Real estate multi-manager

1.6

0.1

(0.1)

-

(0.6)

-

1.0

Infrastructure equity

5.3

0.6

(0.3)

0.3

-


5.6

Total real assets

30.0

2.2

(1.3)

0.9

3.3

2.5

36.7

Total alternatives

19.5

1.4

(0.6)

0.8

-

-

20.3

Total quantitative

6.4

0.5

(0.5)

-

(0.4)

-

6.0

Total liquidity

29.8

2.0

(5.7)

(3.7)

(1.1)

-

25.0

Total

251.7

22.0

(26.5)

(4.5)

2.4

2.5

252.1

AUMA is now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 has been restated on this basis. See Section 5.9 for more information.

Analysis by asset class has been revised following a strategic review of our private markets capabilities. The changes reflect the creation of a real assets franchise, which brings together our real estate and infrastructure businesses, and consolidation of our private credit capabilities within fixed income. Comparatives have been restated on this basis.

 

Opening AUM at
1 Jan 2020

Gross flows

Redemptions

Net flows

Market
and other movements

Corporate actions

Closing
AUM at
30 Jun 20

6 months ended 30 June 20201

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Developed markets equities

14.7

2.0

(2.0)

-

(1.6)

-

13.1

Emerging markets equities

21.6

0.9

(4.0)

(3.1)

(1.9)

-

16.6

Asia Pacific equities

23.3

1.9

(2.5)

(0.6)

(0.2)

-

22.5

Global equities

9.4

0.6

(1.9)

(1.3)

-

-

8.1

Total equities

69.0

5.4

(10.4)

(5.0)

(3.7)

-

60.3

Developed markets credit

32.2

3.7

(4.3)

(0.6)

1.6

-

33.2

Developed markets rates

3.3

0.3

(0.6)

(0.3)

0.2

-

3.2

Emerging markets fixed income

10.9

2.1

(1.7)

0.4

(0.1)

-

11.2

Private credit

-

0.3

-

0.3

0.5

-

0.8

Total fixed income

46.4

6.4

(6.6)

(0.2)

2.2

-

48.4

Absolute return

12.7

0.3

(1.5)

(1.2)

0.6

-

12.1

Diversified growth/income

1.9

0.1

(0.3)

(0.2)

-

-

1.7

MyFolio

15.7

1.3

(1.1)

0.2

(1.0)

-

14.9

Other multi-asset

4.2

-

(0.5)

(0.5)

0.4

-

4.1

Total multi-asset

34.5

1.7

(3.4)

(1.7)

-

-

32.8

Total private equity

11.8

0.4

(0.7)

(0.3)

0.9

-

12.4

UK real estate

13.4

0.3

(0.9)

(0.6)

-

-

12.8

European real estate

12.1

0.6

(0.3)

0.3

0.7

-

13.1

Global real estate

1.0

0.1

(0.1)

-

0.6

-

1.6

Real estate multi-manager

1.4

-

(0.1)

(0.1)

-

-

1.3

Infrastructure equity

4.2

-

-

-

0.1

-

4.3

Total real assets

32.1

1.0

(1.4)

(0.4)

1.4

-

33.1

Total alternatives

17.7

1.2

(0.5)

0.7

1.3

-

19.7

Total quantitative

7.8

0.4

(1.0)

(0.6)

(0.3)

-

6.9

Total liquidity

17.4

9.0

(2.1)

6.9

(1.1)

-

23.2

Total

236.7

25.5

(26.1)

(0.6)

0.7

-

236.8

 

5.7  Analysis of Insurance

 

Opening AUM at
1 Jan 2021

Gross flows

Redemptions

Net
 flows

Market
and other movements

Corporate
actions

Closing
AUM at
30 Jun 2021

6 months ended 30 June 2021

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Phoenix

171.5

6.0

(9.9)

(3.9)

1.1

-

168.7

Lloyds

31.8

3.1

(2.9)

0.2

2.2

-

34.2

Other

1.9

-

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

-

1.6

Total

205.2

9.1

(12.9)

(3.8)

3.1

-

204.5

 

 

Opening AUMA at
1 Jan 2020

Gross flows

Redemptions

Net flows

Market
and other movements

Corporate
 actions

Closing AUMA at
30 Jun 2020

6 months ended 30 June 2020

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Phoenix2

169.7

6.7

(7.8)

(1.1)

1.9

-

170.5

Lloyds

64.5

2.2

(27.5)

(25.3)

(7.3)

-

31.9

Other2

1.6

0.3

(0.1)

0.2

(0.1)

-

1.7

Total

235.8

9.2

(35.4)

(26.2)

(5.5)

-

204.1

AUMA is now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 has been restated on this basis. See Section 5.9 for more information.

Following the acquisition of ReAssure by the Phoenix Group in 2020, ReAssure is now included within Phoenix for the analysis of Insurance AUM. H1 2020 has been restated on the same basis.

5.8  Analysis of total AUM (excluding Parmenion)1

5.8.1 AUM by geography

 

30 Jun 2021

31 Dec 2020

 

Institutional and Wholesale

Insurance

Personal2

Total

Institutional and Wholesale

Insurance

Personal2

Total

 

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

UK

115.5

204.5

8.7

328.7

116.5

205.2

7.8

329.5

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

65.0

-

-

65.0

65.9

-

-

65.9

Asia Pacific (APAC)

18.0

-

-

18.0

16.8

-

-

16.8

Americas

53.6

-

-

53.6

52.5

-

-

52.5

Total AUM

252.1

204.5

8.7

465.3

251.7

205.2

7.8

464.7

 

5.8.2 AUM by asset class3


30 Jun 2021

31 Dec 2020

 

Institutional and Wholesale

Insurance

Personal2

Total

Institutional and Wholesale

Insurance

Personal2

Total

 

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

Equities

71.0

53.2

-

124.2

69.2

48.8

-

118.0

Fixed income

46.2

64.1

-

110.3

48.2

69.0

-

117.2

Multi-asset

34.9

7.2

8.7

50.8

37.7

7.0

7.8

52.5

Private equity

12.0

1.8

-

13.8

10.9

1.8

-

12.7

Real assets

36.7

8.2

-

44.9

30.0

8.3

-

38.3

Alternatives

20.3

-

-

20.3

19.5

-

-

19.5

Quantitative

6.0

47.6

-

53.6

6.4

45.0

-

51.4

Liquidity

25.0

22.4

-

47.4

29.8

25.3

-

55.1

Total AUM

252.1

204.5

8.7

465.3

251.7

205.2

7.8

464.7

AUMA is now presented on a vector basis and H1 2020 has been restated on this basis. See Section 5.9 for more information.

Excludes assets under advice of £5.7bn at 30 June 2021 (FY 2020: £5.5bn).

Analysis by asset class has been revised following a strategic review of our private markets capabilities. The changes reflect the creation of a real assets franchise, which brings together our real estate and infrastructure businesses, and consolidation of our private credit capabilities within fixed income. Comparatives have been restated on this basis.

5.9  AUMA - Reconciliation to previously disclosed information


Closing AUMA

Parmenion
reallocation

Virgin Money
reallocation

Closing AUMA


H1 2020 as previously disclosed

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

H1 2020 on revised basis

 


 

 

 

Investments

Institutional

162.5

-

-

162.5

Institutional

Wholesale

71.1

-

3.2

74.3

Wholesale

Strategic insurance partners

204.1

-

-

204.1

Insurance

Platforms and Wealth

 

 

 

 

 

Wrap and Elevate

61.2

-

-

61.2

Adviser

Wealth

23.2

(7.3)

(3.2)

12.7

Personal

 

 

7.3

-

7.3

Parmenion

Eliminations

(10.3)

-

-

(10.3)

Eliminations

Total AUMA

511.8

-

-

511.8

Total AUMA

 

6. Glossary

Adjusted net financing costs and investment return

Adjusted net financing costs and investment return (previously named Capital management) is a component of adjusted profit and relates to the return from the net assets of the shareholder business, net of costs of financing. This includes the net assets in defined benefit staff pension plans and net assets relating to the financing of subordinated liabilities.

Adjusted operating expenses

Adjusted operating expenses is a component of adjusted operating profit and relates to the day-to-day expenses of managing our business.

Adjusted operating profit

Adjusted operating profit is the Group's key alternative performance measure. Adjusted operating profit includes the results of the Group three growth vectors: Investments, Adviser; and Personal along with the Corporate/Strategic segment.

It excludes the Group's adjusted net financing costs and investment return, the results from the Group's associates, joint ventures and discontinued operations.

Adjusted operating profit also excludes the impact of the following items:

· Restructuring costs and corporate transaction expenses. Restructuring includes the impact of major regulatory change.

· Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets acquired in business combinations and through the purchase of customer contracts.

· Profit or loss arising on the disposal of a subsidiary, joint venture and associates accounted for using the equity method.

· Change in fair value in/dividends from significant listed investments.

· Fair value movements in contingent consideration in relation to continuing operations.

· Items which are one-off and, due to their size or nature, are not indicative of the long-term operating performance of the Group.

Adjusted profit before tax

In addition to the results included in adjusted operating profit above, adjusted profit before tax includes adjusted net financing costs and investment return.

Assets under management and administration (AUMA)

AUMA is a measure of the total assets we manage, administer or advise on behalf of our clients. It includes assets under management (AUM), assets under administration (AUA) and assets under advice (AUAdv). AUMA does not include assets for associates and joint ventures.

AUM is a measure of the total assets that we manage on behalf of individual and institutional clients. AUM also includes assets managed for corporate purposes.

AUA is a measure of the total assets we administer for clients through our Platforms. AUAdv is a measure of the total assets we advise our clients on, for which there is an ongoing charge.

Board

The Board of Directors of the Company.

Chief Operating Decision Maker

The Executive leadership team.

Company

abrdn plc.

Cost/income ratio

This is an efficiency measure that is calculated as adjusted operating expenses divided by fee based revenue.

CRD IV

CRD IV is the European regulatory capital regime (comprising the Capital Requirements Directive and Capital Requirements Regulation) that applies to investment firms.

Director

A director of the Company.

Earnings per share (EPS)

EPS is a commonly used financial metric which can be used to measure the profitability and strength of a company over time. EPS is calculated by dividing profit by the number of ordinary shares. Basic EPS uses the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS adjusts the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, such as share options awarded to employees.

Effective tax rate

Tax expense/(credit) attributable to equity holders' profit divided by profit before tax attributable to equity holders' profits expressed as a percentage.

Executive leadership team

Our Executive leadership team (ELT) leads the business across our regions and functions and is responsible for executing and monitoring progress on the delivery of our business plans. The ELT also ensures we meet our obligations to our clients, people, shareholders, regulators and partners.

Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

FVTPL is an IFRS measurement basis permitted for assets and liabilities which meet certain criteria. Gains or losses on assets or liabilities measured at FVTPL are recognised directly in the income statement.

FCA

Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom.

Fee based revenue

Fee based revenue is a component of adjusted operating profit and includes revenue we generate from asset management charges (AMCs), platform charges and other transactional charges. AMCs are earned on products such as mutual funds, and are calculated as a percentage fee based on the assets held. Investment risk on these products rests principally with the client, with our major indirect exposure to rising or falling markets coming from higher or lower AMCs. Fee based revenue is shown net of fees, costs of sale, commissions and similar charges. Costs of sale include revenue from fund platforms which is passed to the product provider.

Fee revenue yield (bps)

The average revenue yield on fee based business is a measure that illustrates the average margin being earned on the assets under management, administration or advice. It is calculated as annualised fee based revenue (excluding performance fees, SL Asia, Focus and Threesixty) divided by monthly average fee based assets.

Group or abrdn

Relates to the Company and its subsidiaries.

Growth vectors

We provide services across three growth vectors:

· Investments: Asset management investment solutions for institutional, wholesale and insurance clients.

· Adviser: Our Wrap and Elevate adviser platforms.

· Personal: Comprises our 1825 financial planning and advice business and our Aberdeen Standard Capital discretionary investment management business.

ICAAP

Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process. The ICAAP is the means by which the Group assesses the level of capital that adequately supports all of the relevant current and future risks in its business.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

International Financial Reporting Standards are accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Investment performance

Investment performance has been aggregated using a money weighted average of our assets under management which are outperforming their respective benchmark. Calculations for investment performance are made gross of fees with the exception of those for which the stated comparator is net of fees. Benchmarks differ by fund and are defined in each fund's Investment Management Agreement (for example, the benchmark for our GARS unit trust fund is six-month GBP LIBOR). The investment performance calculation covers all funds that aim to outperform a benchmark, with certain assets excluded where this measure of performance is not appropriate or expected, such as private equity, execution only mandates and Aberdeen Standard Capital, as well as replication tracker funds which aim to perform in line with a given index. Investment performance is calculated as if Standard Life Group and Aberdeen had always been merged.

LBG tranche withdrawals

On 24 July 2019, the Group announced that it had agreed a final settlement in relation to the arbitration proceedings between the parties concerning LBG's attempt to terminate investment management arrangements under which assets were managed by members of the Group for LBG entities. In its decision of March 2019, the arbitral tribunal found that LBG was not entitled to terminate these investment management contracts. The Group had continued to manage approximately £104bn (as at 30 June 2019) of assets under management (AUM) for LBG entities during the period of the dispute. Approximately two thirds of the total AUM (the transferring AUM) will be transferred to third party managers appointed by LBG through a series of planned tranches from 24 July 2019. During this period, the Group will continue to be remunerated for its services in relation to the transferring AUM.

Net flows

Net flows represent gross inflows less gross outflows or redemptions. Gross inflows are new funds from clients. Gross outflows or redemptions is the money withdrawn by clients during the period.

Phoenix or Phoenix Group

Phoenix Group Holdings plc or Phoenix Group Holdings plc and its subsidiaries.

Pillar 1

Under CRD IV, Pillar 1 focuses on fixed overhead requirements and the Group's exposure to credit and market risks in respect of risk-weighted assets, and sets a minimum requirement for capital based on these measures.

Pillar 2

The requirement for companies to assess the level of additional capital held against risks not covered in Pillar 1.

Pillar 3

This complements Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 with the aim of improving market discipline by requiring companies to publish certain details of their risks, capital and risk management. The latest available Group's Pillar 3 disclosures are published at www.abrdn.com/annualreport

Platform

An investment platform (e.g. Wrap or Elevate) which is essentially a trading platform enabling investment funds, pensions, direct equity holdings and some life assurance contracts to be held in the same administrative account rather than as separate holdings.

Subordinated liabilities

Subordinated liabilities are debts of a company which, in the event of liquidation, rank below its other debts but above share capital.

 

 

7. Shareholder information

Registered office

1 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2LL

Scotland

Company registration number: SC286832

For shareholder services call:

0371 384 2464*

*Calls are monitored/recorded to meet regulatory obligations and for training and quality purposes. Call charges will vary.

Secretary

Kenneth A Gilmour

Registrar

Equiniti

Note - Equiniti is the registrar for shareholder data. Our employee share plan data is administered by Link Market Services.

Auditors

KPMG LLP

Solicitors

Slaughter and May

Brokers

JP Morgan Cazenove

Goldman Sachs

Shareholder services

We offer a wide range of shareholder services. For more information, please:

· Contact our registrar, Equiniti, who manage this service for us. Their details can be found on the back cover.

· Visit our share portal at www.abrdnshares.com

Sign up for Ecommunications

Signing up means:

· You'll receive an email when documents like the Annual report and accounts, Half year results and AGM guide are available on our website.

· Voting instructions for the Annual General Meeting will be sent to you electronically.

Set up a share portal account

Having a share portal account means you can:

· Manage your account at a time that suits you.

· Download your documents when you need them.

To find out how to sign up, visit www.abrdnshares.com

 

Preventing unsolicited mail

By law, the Company has to make certain details from its share register publicly available. As a result it is possible that some registered shareholders could receive unsolicited mail, emails or phone calls. You could also be targeted by fraudulent 'investment specialists', clone firms or scammers posing as government bodies e.g. HMRC, FCA. Frauds are becoming much more sophisticated and may use real company branding, the names of real employees or email addresses that appear to come from the company. If you get a social or email message and you're unsure if it is from us, you can send it to emailscams@abrdn.com and we'll let you know.

 

You can also check the FCA warning list and warning from overseas regulators, however, please note that this is not an exhaustive list and do not assume that a firm is legitimate just because it does not appear on the list as fraudsters frequently change their name and it may not have been reported yet.

www.fca.org.uk/consumers/unauthorised-firms-individuals

www.iosco.org/investor_protection/?subsection=investor_alerts_portal

 

You can find more information about share scams at the Financial Conduct Authority website www.fca.org.uk/consumers/scams

If you are a certificated shareholder, your name and address may appear on a public register. Using a nominee company to hold your shares can help protect your privacy. You can transfer your shares into the Company-sponsored nominee - the abrdn Share Account - by contacting Equiniti, or you could get in touch with your broker to find out about their nominee services.

If you want to limit the amount of unsolicited mail you receive generally, please visit www.mpsonline.org.uk

Financial calendar

Half year results 2021

10 August

Ex-dividend date for 2021 interim dividend

19 August

Record date for 2021 interim dividend

20 August

Last date for DRIP elections for 2021 interim dividend

8 September

Dividend payment date for 2021 interim dividend

28 September

Analysis of registered shareholdings at 30 June 2021

Range of shares

Number of holders

% of total holders

Number of shares

% of total shares

1-1,000

63,137

65.37%

25,429,057

1.16%

1,001-5,000

28,558

29.57%

58,367,716

2.68%

5,001-10,000

2,743

2.84%

18,268,854

0.84%

10,001-100,000

1,587

1.64%

39,078,701

1.79%

#100,001+

563

0.58%

2,039,579,386

93.53%

Total

96,588

100.00%

2,180,723,714

100.00%

# These figures include the Company-sponsored nominee - the Standard Life

  Aberdeen Share Account - now renamed the abrdn Share Account - which had 988,109 participants holding 663,992,725 shares. 

 

8. Forward-looking statements

This document may contain certain 'forward-looking statements' with respect to the financial condition, performance, results, strategy, targets, objectives, plans, goals and expectations of the Company and its affiliates. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts.

Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical or current facts, but rather on current expectations, assumptions and projections of management about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For example but without limitation, statements containing words such as 'may', 'will', 'should', 'could', 'continue', 'aims', 'estimates', 'projects', 'believes', 'intends', 'expects', 'hopes', 'plans', 'pursues', 'ensure', 'seeks', 'targets' and 'anticipates', and words of similar meaning (including the negative of these terms), may be forward-looking. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, future developments and other factors it believes appropriate.

By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they are based on information available at the time they are made, including current expectations and assumptions, and relate to future events and/or depend on circumstances which may be or are beyond the Group's control, including among other things: the direct and indirect impacts and implications of the coronavirus COVID-19 on the economy, nationally and internationally, and on the Group, its operations and prospects; UK domestic and global political, economic and business conditions (such as the UK's exit from the EU); market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, and the performance of financial markets generally; the impact of inflation and deflation; the impact of competition; the timing, impact and other uncertainties associated with future acquisitions, disposals or combinations undertaken by the Company or its affiliates and/or within relevant industries; the value of and earnings from the Group's strategic investments and ongoing commercial relationships; default by counterparties; information technology or data security breaches (including the Group being subject to cyberattacks); operational information technology risks, including the Group's operations being highly dependent on its information technology systems (both internal and outsourced); natural or man-made catastrophic events (including the impact of the coronavirus COVID-19); climate change and a transition to a low-carbon economy (including the risk that the Group may not achieve its targets); exposure to third party risks including as a result of outsourcing; the failure to attract or retain necessary key personnel; the policies and actions of regulatory authorities (including changes in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 and its impact on the economy); and the impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations (including changes to the regulatory capital requirements that the Group is subject to or changes in connection with the coronavirus COVID-19) in the jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate. As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals, objectives and expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Persons receiving this document should not place reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the Company nor its affiliates assume any obligation to update or correct any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document or any other forward-looking statements it or they may make (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by law. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results of the Company and its affiliates in this document may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast or projection of, the Company's or its affiliates' future results.

 

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