16th Nov 2010 07:00
IFG Group plc - Interim Management Statement
16 November 2010
IFG Group plc, the financial advice and administrative services group, issues the following update covering its business for the 9 months ended 30th September (unless otherwise stated) and its expected performance for 2010.
Performance and Outlook
Performance at Group level remains satisfactory and we are pleased to re-affirm that we expect to meet consensus expectations for the full year (18 - 20 cent adjusted EPS).
The Group's focus on highly stable and recurring income streams has again been demonstrated in a turbulent economic environment.
In 2010, the completion of the acquisition of James Hay and the successful execution of our post-acquisition plans has added a significant new dimension to the Group's scale and presence in its chosen markets.
Divisional Update
IFG UK
Our UK business represents 55% - 60% of Group profits. In the UK we continue to successfully build scale in both our Pensions Administration and Advisory businesses. In the former we are the largest bespoke provider of SIPPs and in the latter have a singular model in a high quality fee-based and conflict-free Financial Advisory business, namely Saunderson House.
Our pensions administration business, which consists of The IPS Partnership and James Hay, is trading robustly. While clearly the focus has been on the acquisition and integration of James Hay we have continued to develop IPS. Net new SIPPs in IPS were 824 to October 2010.
The James Hay acquisition completed in March of this year and all aspects of our post-acquisition plan remain either on or ahead of schedule.
- The IT integration was completed within 6 months of acquisition (August 2010).
- The restructuring of the cost base will bring headcount reduction from 522 to under 350.
- We are on target to launch 2 new SIPP offerings in Q1 of 2011 and preparations for these are well advanced.
- Attrition levels are as expected.
Changes to pension contribution regulations by the UK government are supportive of overall market growth which is currently estimated at circa 12%.
Overall at an operational level results are on plan.
Our fee-based advisory business, Saunderson House, has delivered well in the first three quarters and expects to be ahead of plan by year end. This is a very good performance in the current environment.
IFG International
The International Business which provides Trustee and Corporate Services is performing satisfactorily. While pricing competition has intensified, our margins have remained stable.
The third quarter in IFG International has been marked by slower activity levels in certain centres. The Isle of Man and Jersey businesses have continued to deliver to expectation, however, IFG Cyprus and IFG Switzerland have experienced a tougher business environment. As a consequence we expect IFG International to be 8% - 10% behind expectation for the full year.
IFG Ireland
Trading conditions in Ireland remain very difficult. Our strategy of building an Irish business which mirrors that of our UK operation is progressing well with solid performances from our Group Pensions and Individual Advisory businesses.
Financial Management
As always cash generation and cost management are priorities. We are expecting our net debt level, in euro millions, to be in the mid teens by year end (€44.4m at end Dec 2009). This implies a Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of well below one.
We expect to conclude new banking arrangements by year end which together with internal cash generation will position us to grow significantly both organically and through acquisition while at the same time pursuing a progressive dividend policy.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Mark Bourke Niamh Hore
Chief Executive Investor Relations Manager
IFG Group plc IFG Group plc
Tel: +353 1 275 2800 Tel: +353 1 275 2866
IFG Group plc,
Booterstown Hall,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
www.ifggroup.com
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