AJ Bell announce a strong balance sheet and robust liquidity position support both ongoing investment in the business and continuing returns to shareholders. The Board therefore recommends an interim dividend of 2.46 pence per share.
The Board recognises the importance that investors place on AJ Bell's progressive dividend history and remains committed to this and the stated dividend policy for future dividend distributions.
Other financial highlights include:
●Revenue up 21% to £73.9 million (HY20: £60.9 million)
●Profit before tax (PBT) up 39% to £31.6 million (HY20: £22.7 million)
●PBT margin up 5.6 percentage points to 42.8% (HY20: 37.2%)
●Balance sheet strengthened, with net assets up 8% in the period to £117.9 million
●Total customers increased by a record 51,492 in the period, up 32% over the last 12 months and 17% in the first half of the current financial year
●Total net inflows of £3.1 billion (HY20: £2.1 billion), driven by platform net inflows of £3.3 billion (HY20: £2.5 billion)
●Assets under administration (AUA) up 35% over the last 12 months and 15% in the first half of the current financial year, closing at £65.2 billion
●Assets under management (AUM) up 180% over the last 12 months and 75% in the first half of the current financial year, closing at £1.4 billion
●Customer retention rate remained high at 94.8% (FY20: 95.5%)
