TIDMAFHP TIDMAFHB

RNS Number : 0238P

AFH Financial Group Plc

14 November 2016

14 November 2016

AFH FINANCIAL GROUP PLC

("AFH" or the "Company")

TRADING UPDATE

Full year results anticipated to be above 2015 levels

AFH, a leading financial planning led wealth management firm, is pleased to announce that it expects the results for the twelve months ended 31 October 2016 to show continued growth driven by higher average levels of revenue generated by its advisers with a year on year increase in turnover expected to be over 15%. At the year end Funds under Management ("FUM") exceeded GBP2bn, driven by double digit growth in monies invested by existing and new clients.

HIGHLIGHTS:

-- Strong organic growth with revenues for the full year expected to exceed GBP24m (2015: GBP21.0m)

   --     Cash balances at 31 October 2016 of GBP6.7m 
   --     Funds Under Management exceeding GBP2bn at 31 October 2016

-- Prior year acquisitions successfully integrated and deferred earn outs continue to exceed 90% of maximum price

   --     AFH well positioned to continue to take advantage of ongoing IFA market consolidation; 
   --     Strong pipeline of potential acquisitions under negotiation

and

   --     Board remains confident of future prospects

During the last 12 months, the Company has enjoyed strong organic growth with a significant increase in its recurring fee income. Total revenues for the full year are expected to exceed GBP24m (2015: GBP21.0m), a 15% increase year on year. During the period the Company completed the acquisition of the assets of CRS Financial Planning, an East Anglian based IFA, for a maximum consideration payable of GBP663,670, adding approximately GBP25m to AFH's funds under management.

The results will confirm the Company's financial strength, its ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and its acquisitions model, which is self-financing throughout the deferred payment period following the initial cash outlay. During the year the Company paid over GBP4m in earn out consideration at an average level above 90% of the maximum price negotiated for acquisitions undertaken during prior years, reflecting the strong performance of the acquired businesses within AFH.

During the period AFH maintained a consistent fixed cost base following the heavy investment in people and systems in 2015 whilst continuing to invest in its infrastructure.

The Board's focus on shareholder value has meant that the execution of acquisition opportunities has been slower than previously anticipated, but a strong pipeline of acquisition targets has been developed during the second half of the year with negotiations ongoing.

The Board remains confident of the Company's future prospects, as a result of its performance during 2016 as well as anticipated organic growth expected in 2017 through AFH's existing advisers and the healthy pipeline of prospective acquisitions.

Commenting, Alan Hudson, Chief Executive of AFH, said:

"I am encouraged by the strong progress we are continuing to see. AFH continues to be active in the market to acquire good quality IFAs but remains focussed on ensuring shareholder value. The success and robustness of this policy is reflected in the high level of acquisitions meeting or approaching earn out targets and the strong cash flow generated by the business to finance these earn out liabilities.

AFH has continued to attract new funds throughout the year and I am pleased to report double digit organic growth in our Funds under Management.

The Board will continue to execute its strategy of making selective acquisitions and increasing the breadth of AFH's national footprint whilst providing a professional and cost effective service to our clients, and believes that AFH remains well positioned to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

I am pleased to note the continued increase in our recurring revenue and our gross margin, and we look forward to updating the market further in January 2016, at the time of our results. We would like to thank our shareholders and staff, without whom we would not be reporting this level of profitable expansion."

Enquiries:

 
 AFH Financial Group PLC 
  Alan Hudson, Chief Executive 
  Officer 
  Paul Wright, Chief Financial 
  Officer 
  www.afhfinancialgroup.com       01527 577 775 
 
 Liberum (Nominated Adviser 
  and Broker) 
  John Fishley / Richard 
  Bootle                          020 3100 2000 
 
 Camarco 
  Geoffrey Pelham-Lane / 
  Jennifer Renwick                0203 757 4985

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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November 14, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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