Aberdeen records ‘robust’ Q1 performance

Aberdeen Group has reported a "robust" Q1 performance, despite market headwinds across the period.

In the year to 31 March, the wealth and investment group’s assets under management and administration (AuMA) dropped by 1.5 per cent year-on-year to £547.7bn, which it attributed to the divestment of its financial planning business and lower markets.

Furthermore, it also highlighted net outflows of £2.9bn, which also contributed to this AuMA reduction.

Aberdeen’s investments assets under management also dropped by 1.8 per cent to £383.4bn, with movements in the quarter reflecting net outflows and lower markets at the end of March,

However, the firm recorded continued growth in its interactive investor division, with record customer growth in Q1, jumping by 14 per cent year-on-year to 513,000. Excluding its acquisition of Jarvis, this figure jumped by 9 per cent in this period.

Furthermore, Aberdeen announced a record number of SIPP transfers on its interactive investor platform, with SIPP customers up 32 per cent year-on-year and 10 per cent in the quarter to 110,000.

In its outlook, the wealth and investment management firm said it is “firmly committed” to delivering adjusted operating profit of at least £300m and net capital generation of £300m.

It added that asset levels continue to reflect volatile markets, and it estimated its group AuMA at market close as at market close of £573bn on 17 April, having recovered strongly to above the position at the end of December and March respectively.

Chief executive officer at Aberdeen, Jason Windsor, concluded: "We continued to deliver against our strategy in Q1, despite the backdrop of heightened geopolitical and market uncertainty.

"In Adviser, we have seen an increase in gross inflows and we continue to reposition the business for a return to sustainable growth. Rich Denning has been appointed as our new Adviser CEO and we are bringing key service teams back in-house to streamline the client experience.

"In Investments, performance in the quarter was largely as expected, despite geopolitical uncertainty. Outflows were mainly driven by anticipated redemptions, while we recorded progress in fixed income, real assets, and in our emerging market franchise. We have stronger investment performance and growing confidence in our pipeline.

"Looking ahead, we remain focused on delivery of our 2026 targets, while supporting customers through ongoing market uncertainty."

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