Trading Statement

RNS Number : 1275C

Premier Asset Management Group PLC

11 April 2017

 

11 April 2017

Premier Asset Management Group PLC ("Premier" or the "Company")

Q2 Trading Update

Premier Asset Management Group PLC (AIM: PAM) today announces a trading update for the Company's quarter ended 31 March 2017.

Highlights

·     Total assets under management (AUM) increased to £5.5 billion as at 31 March 2017

·     Total net inflows of £170m in the three months to 31 March 2017

·     Total net inflows of £311m in the six months to 31 March 2017

·     Total net inflows of £667m for the rolling twelve months to 31 March 2017

·     Continued strong investment performance net of all fund charges*:

o  Over three years to 31 March 2017

§ 95% of AUM were above median

§ 63% of AUM were first quartile

o  Over five years to 31 March 2017

§ 96% of AUM were above median

§ 80% of AUM were first quartile

*Performance figures represent 83% of Premier's total AUM as at 31 March 2017 and exclude absolute return funds, investment trusts and segregated mandates. Median and quartile ranking figures are shown relative to respective Investment Association sectors. Source: FE Analytics, data to 31 March 2017, C share class, income reinvested. Data shown net of all fund charges.

Mike O'Shea, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Macro political events continued to dominate the market environment during the past six months. Inevitably, this has led to heightened caution amongst retail investors and that has made the backdrop for fund sales more challenging. Despite this, we are pleased to report positive net flows across our fund range over the six month period of £311m.  AUM growth was 11% over the six months ended 31 March 2017 and 22% from the AUM level twelve months ago.  During the three months ended 31 March 2017 we also achieved our sixteenth consecutive quarter of positive net flows. We are pleased to note that both our three and five-year performance across our assets under management remains strong, as we continue to focus on delivering good long-term outcomes for our clients, after all fund charges.

Looking forward, the challenges resulting from the UK's decision to leave the European Union are likely to continue to dominate the investment landscape for UK based investors. At the same time, the boost to economies and asset prices that followed central government intervention through quantitative easing seems to be ending. We believe that in this environment, where interest rates are still likely to remain at historic low levels, the value of good, active management will be ever more important. We are confident that our investment teams are well placed to navigate these challenges for our clients.

We continue to believe that our strategy of offering relevant investment products, which are designed to meet the different long‐term needs of UK investors, backed by good investment returns, a strong distribution capability and scalable operating platform, positions us well to deliver for both our clients and our shareholders.''

AUM reconciliation

(£m)	3 months to 31 December 2016	3 months to 31 March 2017	6 months to 31 March 2017
Opening assets under management	4,998.5	5,206.4	4,998.5
Sales	519.0	522.0	1,041.0
Redemptions	(378.8)	(351.7)	(730.5)
Net flows	140.2	170.3	310.5
Market movements & investment performance	67.7	153.2	220.9
Closing assets under management	5,206.4	5,529.9	5,529.9

Dividend policy

The Company has adopted a quarterly dividend policy, expecting to pay three smaller, interim dividends, representing approximately half of the estimated total dividend for the full financial year, followed by a larger, final dividend. The Company paid its first interim dividend of 1.25p per share on 3 March 2017 in relation to its first quarter.

The Company's second quarterly dividend, for the three months ended 31 March 2017, is expected to be announced on 26 April 2017 with an ex-date of 4 May 2017 and a payment date of 2 June 2017. The exact dividend amount and associated timetable is expected to be confirmed on 26 April 2017.

Enquiries:

Premier Asset Management Group PLC	Tel: [phone] Mike O'Shea
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd trading as KBW (Nomad and Joint Broker)	Tel: [phone] Gareth Hunt Stewart Wallace
Numis Securities Limited (Joint broker)	Tel: [phone] Andrew Holloway Charles Farquhar
Smithfield Consultants (Financial PR)	Tel: [phone] John Kiely Andrew Wilde

Note to editors 

About Premier

Premier is a fast-growing UK retail asset management group with a focus on delivering good investment outcomes for investors through relevant products and active management across its range of investment strategies, which include multi-asset, equity and absolute return funds.  Premier had £5.5 billion of assets under management as at 31 March 2017.

 

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