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LIO Liontrust Asset Management Plc

682.00
-12.00 (-1.73%)
Last Updated: 09:48:41
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Liontrust Asset Management Plc LSE:LIO London Ordinary Share GB0007388407 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -12.00 -1.73% 682.00 682.00 684.00 692.00 678.00 692.00 9,717 09:48:41
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Unit Inv Tr, Closed-end Mgmt 243.34M 39.33M 0.6160 11.07 435.44M

Liontrust Asset Management PLC Full Year Results for the year ended 31 March 2017 (1212I)

15/06/2017 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMLIO

RNS Number : 1212I

Liontrust Asset Management PLC

15 June 2017

Embargoed until 0700 hours, Thursday 15 June 2017

LIONTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC

FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 31 MARCH 2017

Liontrust Asset Management Plc ("Liontrust", the "Company", or the "Group"), the independent fund management group, today announces its results for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Results:

   --     Adjusted profit before tax of GBP17.2 million (2016: GBP14.6 million), an increase of 18% 

-- Profit before tax of GBP9.1 million (2016: GBP9.4 million), a decrease of 3%. This includes costs of GBP8.1 million (2016: GBP5.2 million) relating to the amortisation of the related intangible asset and other non-cash and non-recurring costs (see note 5 below)

-- Revenues of GBP51 million (2016: GBP45 million), an increase of 15%. This includes GBP4.0 million of performance fee revenues (2016: GBP7.4 million).

Dividend:

-- Second Interim dividend per share of 11.0 pence (2016: 9.0 pence), which will be payable on 19 July 2017. This brings the total dividend per share for the financial year ending 31 March 2017 to 15.0 pence (2016: 12.0 pence), an increase of 25%

Assets under management:

-- On 31 March 2017, assets under management ("AuM") were GBP6.5 billion (2016: GBP4.8 billion), an increase of 36%. The acquisition of Alliance Trust Investments Limited ("ATI") completed on 1 April 2017 adding GBP2.5 billion to AuM, taking AuM on 3 April 2017 to GBP9.1 billion

   --     Assets under management as at close of business on 13 June 2017 were GBP9.344 billion 

Flows:

   --     Net inflows for the year to 31 March 2017 of GBP482 million (2016: GBP255 million) 

Commenting on the results, John Ions, Chief Executive, said:

"It has been another successful year for Liontrust as we have recorded a seventh successive year of positive net flows and have continued to develop the infrastructure of the business.

Our AuM has risen to GBP9.3 billion on 13 June 2017 and we are well positioned to move forward in an ever-more competitive and demanding environment. The investment we have made in the infrastructure of the Company, client servicing and distribution combined with the broadening of the investment proposition create an excellent platform to continue our growth.

At a time when asset management is up front and central in providing solutions, it is more surprising how confused the industry looks.

Well managed and focused businesses, whether large or small, should benefit from this and continue to grow successfully."

For further information please contact:

   Liontrust Asset Management                                                     020 7412 1700 

John Ions, Vinay Abrol www.liontrust.co.uk

Simon Hildrey - Chief Marketing Officer

   Numis Securities Limited                                                             020 7260 1000 

Charles Farquhar, Andrew Holloway

   Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited                                       020 3037 2000 

Advisory - Jonny Allison, Kavita Choitram

Corporate Broking - Alex Reynolds, Nicholas Harland

Chairman's Statement

Introduction

In my Chairman's Statement in last year's Annual report, I wrote that "we also face challenges from outside our industry, including yet another year of political uncertainty". It is now clear this was a great understatement and there can be few 12-month periods that have produced such a series of political shocks culminating in last week's General Election.

Stock markets, however, have largely brushed off the vote for Brexit and Donald Trump becoming US President in January to such an extent that the FTSE 100 has reached an all-time high in 2017 and we have been experiencing the second longest bull market in history. I doubt many people would have said this time last year that markets would be where they are today if they had known in advance the result of the UK Referendum and the US Presidential election even if sterling has depreciated as most commentators expected following the Brexit vote.

Now we are faced with a hung Parliament at Westminster with all the political uncertainty that this brings, along with the possibility of another General Election later this year. Once again, at the time of writing, there has been a benign reaction from the stock market in contrast to performance of Sterling.

The last year has been an important reminder of the difficulty of predicting and timing market movements and the benefits and value of financial advice and long-term investment as opposed to knee-jerk reactions. Economies, markets and investors will always be confronted by challenges and potential threats as well as opportunities. Therefore, the key for investors is to stay focused on what will enable them to achieve their long-term goals rather than analyse intra-day movements in equity markets.

At Liontrust, we have brought together a talented group of fund management teams who believe that rigorous investment processes are key to long-term performance and risk control. They do not get distracted by short-term events and noise but stay true to their own documented investment processes. The success of this disciplined approach is shown by our teams' long-term performance records, which also demonstrate the value that active management can deliver for investors. The addition of our new European Income and Sustainable Investment teams over the last year have strengthened further our fund management capability.

Like investors, asset management businesses are continually confronted by potential challenges and threats along with numerous opportunities. It is easy to list the challenges that the industry is or could be facing, whether it is political uncertainty, current valuations in equity markets, the growth in flows into passive investments or technological disrupters.

None of these are reasons will prevent us from growing Liontrust, however, as we have done so successfully over the past few years through generating net sales and acquisitions. We have shown that sectors do not need to be in favour with investors for us to enjoy net positive sales into our funds.

This growth has been achieved through strong leadership and management, delivering value to investors over the long term and continuing to develop our sales and marketing capability. We focus on our strengths in running the business and are disciplined in enacting our strategy to grow our AuM, earnings and profitability as our Results for the 2016-17 financial year demonstrate.

The general election campaign in the UK has highlighted very clearly yet again the importance of every individual taking on responsibility for ensuring they have sufficient funds for their retirement and to achieve their other financial goals. Financial advice and fund management will become increasingly, not less, important in the future to help people achieve this.

I would like to thank our shareholders, investors and staff for all their support and loyalty to Liontrust. Due to the leadership of the business and the hard work of everyone at the Company, we are in a great position to continue to overcome any challenges and benefit from the tailwinds behind the industry.

Results

Adjusted profit before tax was GBP17.235 million (2016: GBP14.623 million). Adjusted profit before tax is disclosed in order to give shareholders an indication of the profitability of the Group excluding non-cash (depreciation, intangible asset amortisation and share incentivisation related) expenses and non-recurring (professional fees relating to acquisition, cost reduction, restructuring, share incentivisation and severance compensation related) expenses ("Adjustments"), see note 5 below for a reconciliation of adjusted profit (or loss) before tax.

Profit before tax is GBP9.103 million (2016: GBP9.404 million).

Dividend

The success in fund performance and distribution has resulted in an increase in revenues excluding performance fees of 26% and an 18% increase in our adjusted profit before tax to GBP17.2 million. This has enabled the Board to declare a Second Interim dividend of 11.0 pence per share (2016: 9.0 pence) which will be payable on 19 July 2017 to shareholders who are on the register as at 23 June 2017, the shares going ex-dividend on 22 June 2017. The total dividend for the financial year ending 31 March 2017 is 15.0 pence per share (2016: 12.0 pence per share), an increase of 25% compared with last year.

Adrian Collins

Chairman

14 June 2017

Chief Executive's Statement

Introduction

The growth of Liontrust over the past seven years has been driven by the Company focusing on what we can control and not being distracted by events we cannot manage. The core of our strategy has been to generate strong investment performance for our investors over the long term, deliver a first-class service, communicate clearly and frequently with our investors, broaden our distribution, deepen our client relationships and engagement, and raise our brand awareness and profile. The expansion of the Company over the last financial year is evidence of the continued success of this strategy.

We generated gross sales of more than GBP2 billion and net inflows of GBP482 million in the financial year to 31 March 2017, with our AuM increasing by 36% to GBP6.5 billion. The adjusted profit before tax increased by 18% to GBP17.2 million and revenues were up 15% to GBP51 million. At a time when the ability of asset managers to grow organically is being questioned, these figures are especially pleasing.

This is even more so when it is considered that our expansion over the past year has been achieved against a challenging background for selling equity funds in general and the UK All Companies sector in particular in the UK. The Investment Association reported that from April 2016 to March 2017, there were net retail outflows from equity funds in eight of the 12 months. The Investment Association's UK All Companies sector was the worst performing for net retail sales in seven of these months although it was the best seller in March 2017.

The continued strength of our fund management capability is evidenced by our long-term performance. Take the Liontrust Special Situations Fund as an example. Since launch on 10 November 2005 to 31 March 2017, the Fund generated a total return of 333.28% compared to 118.64% by the FTSE All-Share index. Our other teams have delivered strong performance as well. The Cashflow Solution's European Growth Fund has returned 153.24% since launch on 15 November 2006 compared to 77.22% by the MSCI Europe ex UK index. These returns demonstrate the mistake of dismissing all active fund management.

We have further expanded our fund management capability over the past year by completing the acquisition of the Argonaut European Income business and announcing the purchase of Alliance Trust Investments Limited ("ATI"). The acquisition of ATI was completed on 1 April 2017 and added GBP2.5 billion to take our AuM to GBP9.1 billion on 3 April.

The addition of the Sustainable Investment team gives us a strong proposition in an area of investment that we believe will only grow in demand and significance. According to the European SRI Study of 2016, EUR11 trillion (GBP9.5 trillion) is currently invested in sustainable and responsible investment across Europe with EUR1.5 trillion coming from the UK.

We now have a presence in many of the core asset classes for UK investors. These are UK and continental European growth funds; equity income funds; risk-targeted solutions for investors seeking to accumulate wealth and in retirement; and sustainable investment.

We have also strengthened further our distribution capability in the UK and internationally. Ian Chimes joined us in February 2017 as Head of Global Distribution and he has recruited two regional salesmen for the North of England, Scotland and the Midlands. This will enhance our client service further through understanding and engaging with a broader range of clients.

The brand awareness and understanding of Liontrust and the engagement with the Company has grown among intermediaries and consumers, and reflects our distinct identity and strong messaging. This is being driven particularly by our advertising, press coverage, investor communications and sponsorships. Our new website and expanding digital activity will enhance further our marketing capability and engagement with intermediaries and consumers.

Assets under Management

On 31 March 2017, our AuM stood at GBP6,523 million (2016: GBP4,791 million) an increase of 36% over the financial year. A reconciliation of AuM as at 31 March 2017 is as follows:

 
                                                                     Offshore 
       Process         Total    Institutional   UK Retail   MPS(1)     Funds 
                       (GBPm)      (GBPm)        (GBPm)     (GBPm)    (GBPm) 
 Cashflow Solution        927             525         307        -         95 
 Economic Advantage     3,926             265       3,596        -         65 
 Macro Thematic           653             254         369        -         30 
 European Income          240               -         240        -          - 
 Asia                      94               -          85        -          9 
 Structural Opps           20               -           -        -         20 
 Multi-Asset              612             352           -      260          - 
 Indexed                   51               -          51        -          - 
 Total                  6,523           1,396       4,648      260        219 
 

(1) Managed Portfolio Services are where we act as discretionary fund manager to a range of model portfolios which are marketed to advisory intermediaries in the UK.

Funds Flows

Liontrust recorded net inflows of GBP482 million in the financial year to 31 March 2017 (2016: GBP255 million). A reconciliation of fund flows over the financial year is as follows:-

 
                                                                        Offshore 
                           Total   Institutional   UK Retail   MPS(1)     Funds 
                           GBPm        GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm 
 
 Opening AuM - 1 April 
  2016                     4,791           1,138       3,330      204        119 
 
 Net flows                   482               3         368       32         79 
 
 Acquisitions                272               -         272        -          - 
 Market and Investment 
  performance                978             255         678       24         21 
 
 Closing AuM - 31 March 
  2017                     6,523           1,396       4,648      260        219 
 

(1) Managed Portfolio Services are where we act as discretionary fund manager to a range of model portfolios which are marketed to advisory intermediaries in the UK.

Outlook

There has been much discussion about the squeezed middle in the asset management industry. Companies either have to be global players or niche boutiques to survive and prosper, so goes the argument. We believe this is a simplistic and incorrect view of the development of the market.

Liontrust is not alone in showing that you do not have to be a boutique or a global group to be able to generate growth year after year. We have also delivered value for our investors through strong fund performance over the long term.

Following the investment we have made in the infrastructure of the business over the past few years, Liontrust is now both larger and more robust and this will enable us to drive forward the next phase of our growth strategy.

John Ions

Chief Executive

14 June 2017

Extracts from the Strategic Report

UK Retail fund performance

Our funds continue to deliver strong long-term performance. Eight out of eleven of our UK unit trusts are in the first or second quartile of their respective sectors since launch or since the current managers took over the running of the funds.

 
                               Quartile ranking       Quartile    Quartile    Quartile       Launch 
                             - Since Launch/Manager    ranking     ranking     ranking     Date/Manager 
                                   Appointed           - 5 year    - 3 year    - 1 year     Appointed 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust UK Growth 
  Fund                                 1                  2           1           1        25/03/2009 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust Special 
  Situations Fund                      1                  1           1           1        10/11/2005 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust UK Smaller 
  Companies Fund                       1                  1           1           1        08/01/1998 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust UK Micro 
  Cap Fund                             2                  -           -           2        09/03/2016 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust Macro Equity 
  Income Fund                          1                  3           4           3        31/10/2003 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust Macro UK 
  Growth Fund                          1                  4           4           4        01/08/2002 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust European 
  Growth Fund                          1                  2           1           1        15/11/2006 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust Asia Income 
  Fund                                 1                  1           2           2        05/03/2012 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust European 
  Income Fund                          3                  3           3           4        15/12/2005 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust European 
  Enhanced Income Fund                 4                  4           4           4        30/04/2010 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 Liontrust Global Income 
  Fund                                 4                  -           4           3        03/07/2013 
-------------------------  ------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------- 
 

Source: Financial Express, total return, bid to bid, to 31 March 2017 unless otherwise stated, based on primary share classes. The above funds are all UK authorised unit trusts (primary share class). Liontrust FTSE 100 Tracker Fund (index fund) not included. Past performance is not a guide to the future; the value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the amount originally subscribed.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 March 2017

 
                                                                            Year        Year 
                                                                           ended       ended 
                                                                       31-Mar-17   31-Mar-16 
 
                                                     Notes               GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 
 
 Revenue                                                                  51,508      44,991 
 Cost of sales                                                              (50)        (51) 
                                                            --------------------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                                          3                  51,458      44,940 
 
   Realised (loss)/profit on sale of financial 
   assets                                                                      6         (1) 
 Unrealised profit on financial assets                                       134           - 
 Administration expenses                               4                (42,506)    (35,551) 
                                                            --------------------  ---------- 
 Operating profit                                                          9,092       9,388 
 
 Interest receivable                                                          11          16 
                                                            --------------------  ---------- 
 Profit before tax                                                         9,103       9,404 
 
 Taxation                                                                (2,275)     (2,094) 
                                                            --------------------  ---------- 
 
 Profit for the year                                                       6,828       7,310 
 
 Other comprehensive income                                                    -           - 
 
 Total comprehensive income                                                6,828       7,310 
                                                            ====================  ========== 
 
                                                                    Pence            Pence 
 Earnings per share 
 Basic                                                 6                   15.15       16.48 
 Diluted                                               6                   14.75       16.06 
 

The notes 1 to 11 form an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial information.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2017

 
                                          31-Mar-17   31-Mar-16 
                                            GBP'000     GBP'000 
 Assets 
 Non current assets 
 Intangible assets                            3,640       2,550 
 Property, plant and equipment                  195         247 
 Deferred tax assets                            964       1,052 
                                         ----------  ---------- 
 Total non current 
  assets                                      4,799       3,849 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                 68,066      35,413 
 Financial assets                             1,404         139 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   16,956      18,967 
 Total Current assets                        86,426      54,519 
                                         ----------  ---------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Non current liabilities 
 DBVAP liability                              (322)           - 
                                         ----------  ---------- 
 Total non current 
  liabilities                                 (322)           - 
                                         ----------  ---------- 
 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other 
  payables                                 (63,960)    (31,279) 
 Corporation tax 
  payable                                     (393)       (911) 
 Total Current liabilities                 (64,353)    (32,190) 
                                         ----------  ---------- 
 
 Net current assets                          22,073      22,329 
                                         ----------  ---------- 
 
 Net assets                                  26,550      26,178 
                                         ==========  ========== 
 
 Shareholders' equity attributable 
  to owners of the parent 
 Ordinary shares                                454         454 
 Share premium                                    -      17,692 
 Capital redemption reserve                      19          19 
 Retained earnings                           28,936       9,330 
 Own shares held                            (2,859)     (1,317) 
 Total equity                                26,550      26,178 
                                         ==========  ========== 
 

The notes 1 to 11 form an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial information.

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 March 2017

 
                                                                        Year                        Year 
                                                                       ended                       ended 
                                                                   31-Mar-17                   31-Mar-16 
                                                                     GBP'000                     GBP'000 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash received from operations                                        56,460                      48,614 
 Cash paid in respect of operations                                 (42,489)                    (38,337) 
 Net cash paid for changes in unit 
  trust receivables and payables                                       (363)                       (583) 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 Net cash generated from 
  operations                                                          13,608                       9,694 
 
 Interest received                                                        11                          16 
 Tax paid                                                            (2,705)                     (1,833) 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                                          10,914                       7,877 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of property and equipment                                     (73)                        (93) 
 Acquisition of investment management 
  contracts                                                          (4,083)                           - 
 Purchase of ICIs                                                       (95)                       (207) 
 Purchase of DBVAP Financial Asset                                     (940)                           - 
 Purchase of seeding investments                                       (252)                        (98) 
 Sale of seeding investments                                             151                         191 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                               (5,292)                       (207) 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Purchase of own shares                                              (1,738)                     (1,136) 
 Dividends paid                                                      (5,895)                     (3,960) 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 Net cash used in financing activities                               (7,633)                     (5,096) 
                                                  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                                        (2,011)                       2,574 
 Opening cash and cash equivalents*                                   18,967                      16,393 
 Closing cash and cash equivalents                                    16,956                      18,967 
                                                  ==========================  ========================== 
 

* Cash and cash equivalents consists only of cash balances.

The notes 1 to 11 form an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial information.

Consolidated Statement of Change in Equity

For the year ended 31 March 2017

 
                           Ordinary      Share      Capital   Retained   Own shares     Total 
                             shares    premium   redemption   earnings         held    Equity 
 
                                GBP                                                       GBP 
                               '000   GBP '000     GBP '000   GBP '000     GBP '000      '000 
 
 Balance at 1 April 
  2016 brought forward          454     17,692           19      9,330      (1,317)    26,178 
 
 Profit for the 
  year                            -          -            -      6,828            -     6,828 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  year                            -          -            -      6,828            -     6,828 
 
   Dividends 
   paid                           -          -            -    (5,895)            -   (5,895) 
 
 Capital reduction                -   (17,692)            -     17,692            -         - 
 
 Purchase of own 
  shares                          -          -            -          -      (1,738)   (1,738) 
 
   Purchase of ICI's              -          -            -       (95)            -      (95) 
 
 EBT share option 
  settlement                      -          -            -      (133)          196        63 
 
 Equity share options 
  issued                          -          -            -      1,209            -     1,209 
 
 Balance at 31 March 
  2017                          454          -           19     28,936      (2,859)    26,550 
========================  =========  =========  ===========  =========  ===========  ======== 
 

Consolidated Statement of Change in Equity

For the year ended 31 March 2016

 
                           Ordinary      Share      Capital   Retained   Own shares     Total 
                             shares    premium   redemption   earnings         held    Equity 
 
                                GBP                                                       GBP 
                               '000   GBP '000     GBP '000   GBP '000     GBP '000      '000 
 
 Balance at 1 April 
  2015 brought forward          454     17,692           19     11,395      (5,812)    23,748 
 
 Profit for the 
  year                            -          -            -      7,310            -     7,310 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  year                            -          -            -      7,310            -     7,310 
 
   Dividends 
   paid                           -          -            -    (3,960)            -   (3,960) 
 
 Purchase of own 
  shares                          -          -            -          -      (1,136)   (1,136) 
 
   Purchase of ICI's              -          -            -    (5,838)        5,631     (207) 
 Equity share options 
  issued                          -          -            -        423            -       423 
 
 Balance at 31 March 
  2016                          454     17,692           19      9,330      (1,317)    26,178 
========================  =========  =========  ===========  =========  ===========  ======== 
 

The notes 1 to 10 form an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial information.

Notes to the Financial Statements

   1.    Accounting policies 

The Group's accounting policies are consistent with those set out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016.

   2.    Segmental reporting 

The Group's operates only in one business segment - Investment management.

The Group offers different fund products through different distribution channels. All financial, business and strategic decisions are made centrally by the Board, which determines the key performance indicators of the Group. The Board reviews financial information presented at a Group level. The Board, is therefore, the chief operating decision-maker for the Group. The information used to allocate resources and assess performance is reviewed for the Group as a whole. On this basis, the Group considers itself to be a single-segment investment management business.

   3.    Revenue (Gross Profit) 
 
                                    Year        Year 
                                   Ended       ended 
                               31-Mar-17   31-Mar-16 
                                 GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
  - Revenue(1)                    47,459      37,634 
  - Performance fee revenue        4,049       7,357 
                              ----------  ---------- 
 Gross Profit                     51,508      44,991 
============================  ==========  ========== 
 

(1) Revenue includes investment management fees, initial charges and commissions and box profits.

   4.    Administration expenses 
 
                                           Year ended   Year ended 
                                            31-Mar-17    31-Mar-16 
                                              GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Employee related expenses 
 Director and employee costs                    5,721        4,459 
 Pensions                                         305          217 
 Share incentivisation expense                  1,487          671 
 DBVAP expense                                    188            - 
 Severance compensation                            53           93 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
                                                7,754        5,440 
 Non-employee related expenses 
 Members drawings charged as an expense        19,062       17,665 
 Share incentivisation expense members          1,762            - 
 Members severance compensation                   165            - 
 Professional services (restructuring, 
  acquisition related and other)*               1,359        1,884 
 Depreciation and Intangible asset 
  amortisation                                  3,118        2,571 
 Other administration expenses                  9,286        7,991 
                                               42,506       35,551 
========================================  ===========  =========== 
 

* Includes legal expense relating to a claim made by a former member (see note 8)

   5.    Adjusted profit before tax 

Adjusted profit before tax is disclosed in order to give shareholders an indication of the profitability of the Group, non-cash (depreciation, intangible asset amortisation and share incentivisation related) expenses and non-recurring (acquisition, cost reduction, restructuring, share incentivisation and severance compensation related) expenses ("Adjustments"), and is reconciled in the table below.

 
                                                       Year ended   Year ended 
                                                        31-Mar-17    31-Mar-16 
                                                          GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
 Profit for the year                                        6,828        7,310 
 Taxation                                                   2,275        2,094 
----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Profit                                                     9,103        9,404 
 
 Share incentivisation expense                              3,249          671 
 DBVAP expense                                                188            - 
 Severance compensation                                       218           93 
 Professional services (restructuring, acquisition 
 related and other)(1)                                      1,359        1,884 
 Depreciation and Intangible asset amortisation             3,118        2,571 
---------------------------------------------------- 
 Adjustments                                                8,132        5,219 
 
 Adjusted profit before tax                                17,235       14,623 
 
 Interest receivable                                         (11)         (16) 
 Adjusted operating profit                                 17,224       14,607 
====================================================  ===========  =========== 
 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share(2)                       30.60        26.38 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share (excluding 
  performance fees) (2)(3)                                  28.19        22.07 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share(2)                     29.79        25.70 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (excluding 
  performance fees)(2)(3)                                   27.45        21.50 
----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

(1) Includes legal expense relating to a claim made by a former member (see note 8)

(2) Assumes a tax rate of 20% (2016: 20%)

(3) Performance fee revenues contribution calculated in line with operating margin of 33% (2016: 33%)

   6.    Earnings per share 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profit after taxation for the year and the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue for each year. The weighted average number of Ordinary Shares was 45,059,188 for the year (2016:44,346,674). Shares held by the Liontrust Asset Management Employee Trust are not eligible for dividends and are treated as cancelled for the purposes of calculating earnings per share.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated on the same bases as set out above, after adjusting the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for the effect of options to subscribe for new Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Shares held in the Liontrust Asset Management Employee Trust that were in existence during the year ended 31 March 2017. The adjusted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares so calculated for the year was 46,285,217 (2016: 45,518,720). This is reconciled to the actual weighted number of Ordinary Shares as follows:

 
                                                  2017         2016 
                                                number       number 
 
 Weighted average number of Ordinary 
  Shares                                    45,059,188   44,346,674 
 
 Weighted average number of dilutive Ordinary 
  shares under option: 
 
  - to the Liontrust Long Term Incentive 
   Plan                                        789,963            - 
  - to the Liontrust Option Plan                30,949       37,062 
  - to the Deferred Bonus and Variable 
   Allocation Plan                             395,144      324,602 
  - to the Liontrust Members Incentive 
   Plan                                          9,973      810,382 
 Adjusted weighted average number of 
  Ordinary Shares                           46,285,217   45,518,720 
                                           ===========  =========== 
 
   7.    Financial assets 

The Group holds financial assets that have been categorised within one of three levels using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs into measuring the fair value. These levels are based on the degree to which the fair value is observable and are defined as follows:

a) Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

b) Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

c) Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

As at the balance sheet date all financial assets are categorised as Level 1.

Assets held at fair value through profit and loss:

The Group's assets held at fair value through profit and loss represent shares in the Liontrust GF Global Strategic Equity Fund, and units in the Liontrust Global Income Fund, the Liontrust Macro Equity Income Fund, the Liontrust UK Growth Fund and the Liontrust Asia Income Fund. Any Foreign currency assets are translated at rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and any exchange rate differences arising are shown in note 6 of the financial statements.

Assets held as available-for-sale:

The Group's assets held as available-for-sale represent shares in the Liontrust GF Water & Agriculture Fund, the GF Global Strategic Equity Fund, the GF European Smaller Companies Fund, the GF European Strategic Equity Fund, The GF Asia Income Fund, the GF Macro Equity Income Fund and the GF UK Growth Fund (all sub-funds of Liontrust Global Funds PLC) and are valued at bid price); and units in the Liontrust Global Income Fund, The Liontrust Macro Equity Income Fund, the Liontrust Asia Income Fund and the Liontrust UK Growth Fund. The gain on the fair value adjustments during the year net of tax was GBPnil (2016:GBPnil). Any Foreign currency assets are translated at rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and any exchange rate differences arising are shown in other comprehensive income.

   8.    Contingent assets and liabilities 

The Group can earn performance fees on some of the segregated and fund accounts that it manages. In some cases a proportion of the fee earned is deferred until the next performance fee is payable or offset against future underperformance on that account. As there is no certainty that such deferred fees will be collectable in future years, the Group's accounting policy is to include performance fees in income only when they become due and collectable and therefore the element (if any) deferred beyond 31 March 2017 has not been recognised in the results for the year.

In the normal course of business a contingent liability has arisen in relation to a claim made by a former member against Liontrust Asset Management Plc, Liontrust Investment Partners LLP ("LIP"), Liontrust Investment Services Limited and the individual members of LIP. As the timing and amount of any potential liability is unknown and cannot be reliably estimated at this stage they are not disclosed.

   9.    Key risks 

The Directors have identified the risks and uncertainties that affect the Group's business and believe that they are substantially the same for this year as the current risks as identified in the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts. These can be broken down into risks that are within the management's influence and risks that are outside it.

Risks that are within management's influence include areas such as the expansion of the business, prolonged periods of under-performance, loss of key personnel, human error, poor communication and service leading to reputational damage and fraud.

Risks outside the management's influence include falling markets, terrorism, a deteriorating UK economy, investment industry price competition and hostile takeovers.

Management monitor all risks to the business, they record how each risk is mitigated and have warning flags to identify increased risk levels. Management recognise the importance of risk management and view it as an integral part of the management process which is tied into the business model.

10. Directors responsibility statement

To the best of their knowledge and belief, the Directors confirm that:

The consolidated financial statements of Liontrust Asset Management PLC, prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of Liontrust Asset Management PLC and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

The announcement includes a fair summary of the development and performance of the business and the position of Liontrust Asset Management PLC and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

11. Events after the reporting period

On 1 April 2017, the Company acquired all of the ordinary shares in Alliance Trust Investments Limited (subsequently renamed Liontrust Investments Limited) for GBP29.14 million, satisfied partly in cash and partly by means of an issue of the Company's ordinary share capital.

The equity instruments issued on completion date comprise of 4.06 million of the Company's ordinary shares and the fair value is GBP15.84 million.

Additionally, the group has agreed to pay the seller additional consideration which will be satisfied by the allotment and issue of 1.02m of the Company's ordinary shares valued at the date of exchange of the shares. The fair value of the deferred consideration is GBP3.96 million at the acquisition date.

The net assets acquired on 1 April 2017 is GBP9.34m.

The difference between the consideration and net assets acquired is due to intangibles and/or goodwill but at the date of issue of these financial statements, the valuation of these is not complete. An updated disclosure, including the valuation of the balances, will be included in the Half- Yearly Report.

Forward Looking Statements

This Full Year Results announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and businesses and plans of the Group. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that have not yet occurred. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, results of operations and business and plans may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Liontrust undertakes no obligation publicly to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable law and regulation (including the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority). Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast or be relied upon as a guide to future performance.

The Annual Report and Accounts is expected to be posted to shareholders on or around 28 June 2017.

The release, publication, transmission or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, transmitted or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

END

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 15, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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