Listed fund-management group Coronation Fund Managers, one of South Africa’s largest independent fund-management companies, has posted a 29% increase in its assets under management for the year to the end of September 2005, reaching R82-billion from R63,7-billion a year earlier.
Announcing its final results for the year earlier on Tuesday, Coronation said diluted headline earnings per share rose by 33% to 44,5 cents from 33,5 cents in 2004. The company declared a capital distribution of 36 cents per share in lieu of a final cash dividend.
The result and the dividend were almost exactly in line with market expectations. A consensus of investment analysts surveyed by I-Net Bridge had forecast fully diluted headline earnings per share of 44,1 cents and a dividend of 35,5 cents per share.
Commenting on the results, Coronation CEO Thys du Toit said: “Strong domestic markets, superior investment performance and a strategy firmly focused on growing a sustainable business combined to produce an impressive set of results for 2005.”
Institutional assets under management increased by 24% to R61,4-billion, while on the retail side, domestic unit trust assets under management recorded a 76% or R5,9-billion rise to R13,7-billion.
According to Du Toit, the increase was the result of both positive market conditions and strong support from clients. Net inflows approaching R1,5-billion were received into the group’s managed funds, and almost R1-billion into the Coronation Strategic Income Fund. Marginal outflows were experienced from its rand-denominated international funds, in line with industry trends.
International assets under management at year-end totalled $1,1-billion. While South African investors have largely avoided investments in global markets in recent times, the CEO observed, Coronation has continued to build a robust and credible international fund of funds business.
At the end of September, the company closed its Absolute Investments Unit to new investors, having reached critical mass at R10-billion in funds under management.
“We see the development of our hedge-fund franchise as an integral part of our business and continue to build on our five-year track record and growing product range,” noted Du Toit.
He added that Coronation plans to launch a range of Coronation retirement products and endowment plans early in 2006.
Commenting on prospects for the business, Du Toit said: “We have the right strategy in place upon which we continue to grow a long-term sustainable business and are very excited about our imminent launch into third-generation tax-effective retirement products.
“The return to a culture of staff ownership brings long-term incentivisation and the alignment of interests, which combined will ensure that if we do well for our clients, all stakeholders will benefit.”
By 10am, Coronation shares were five cents or 0,9% lower on the JSE at R5,80. — I-Net Bridge