Volatility hits Plan B forecast
Recent market volatility has impacted financial services group Plan B, which has announced a 7.2 per cent decline in funds under management, administration or advice (FUMA) to $1.81 billion for the first quarter.
However, the company used its announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange this morning to claim that this decrease was significantly below those recorded by both the S&P/ASX 300 index, which had decreased by 14.6 per cent, and the MSCI ex Australia index, which had decreased by 12.4 per cent over the same period.
Despite this, the company acknowledged that the decrease had resulted in FUMA being below the level of the directors’ forecast for the year ended June 30, 2008, as contained in the company’s prospectus.
It said that with over 90 per cent of Plan B’s revenues being directly derived from FUMA, there would be an adverse impact on Plan B’s revenues and consequent profitability.
Commenting on the data, Plan B managing director Denys Pearce said the company remained on track in terms of its long-term performance objectives, but with only one further quarter remaining before the end of the financial year, it was expected that the result would be around 10 to 15 per cent below the directors’ forecast.
Recommended for you
Quarterly Wealth Data analysis has uncovered positive improvements in financial adviser numbers compared with losses in the prior corresponding period.
Holding portfolios that are too complex or personalised can be a detractor for acquirers of financial advice firms as they require too much effort to maintain post-acquisition.
As the financial advice profession continues to wait on further DBFO legislation, industry commentators have encouraged advisers to act now in driving practice efficiency.
New Zealand’s financial regulator is following the footsteps of its Tasman neighbours and proposing to conduct a review on improving the accessibility of financial advice and advice business models.