Fund manager Perpetual has lifted first half profit 10 per cent against a backdrop of market volatility and despite a fall in revenue.
Net profit for the six months to December 31 was $64.4 million, up 9.95 per cent on the $58.6 million it made over the same period a year earlier.
Revenue was down 3.98 per cent to $244 million, but expenses and financing costs were significantly lower than in the prior corresponding period.
"We have delivered a solid financial result, with continued investment outperformance and growth in funds under management, net new private clients and growth in securitised assets," chief executive Geoff Lloyd said in a statement on Thursday.
At 1415 AEDT, Perpetual shares were up $1.32, or 3.52 per cent, at $42.01. They traded as high as $43.07 earlier in the day.
The performance of Perpetual's funds management business was dragged down by equities markets, with its profit before tax down five per cent to $57.2 million.
The same factors forced pre-tax profit from Perpetual Private, the company's tailored advisory service, down nine per cent to $17.2 million.
That was partially offset by the net addition of 46 clients over the period, each with average funds under administration of $2.8 million.
PERPETUAL LIFTS FIRST HALF PROFIT
* Net profit up 9.95pct to $64.4mn
* Revenue down 3.98pct to $244mn
* Interim dividend up 10 cents to $1.25, fully franked
Share
