| Thu 8 Nov 2001, 0:00 | | Old Mutual Plc |
|
Announcement of analysts meetings and trading update
On Monday 12 November 2001, Old Mutual plc will be hosting briefing meetings
for analysts and investors in the USA. This will provide an opportunity to
review progress in the substantial asset management and life assurance
businesses acquired in North America during the past 15 months.
In advance of those discussions and, in the light of recent conditions in
equity markets, the company is providing an update on current trading in
respect of the Group's wholly-owned subsidiaries. It is intended that a
similar statement will be made in future years to update the market before
the year end close period.
In the period since 30 June 2001, generally poor trading conditions in world
equity markets have been compounded by the events of 11 September in the
USA. As noted in our interim results presentation, equity market levels
have a direct impact on earnings from the Group's asset management and
broking activities. In addition significant movements in currency markets,
notably between the Rand and our principal reporting currency, Sterling,
have a direct translation effect on Group earnings and shareholders' net
assets as reported in Sterling.
US Businesses - Life Assurance
During 2001, Old Mutual has entered the life assurance market in the USA
with its acquisitions of Americom Life and Fidelity & Guaranty Life ("F&G").
The results of F&G are consolidated from 1 July 2001. Post-acquisition, F&G
has been awarded financial strength ratings from the independent rating
agencies, AM Best and Fitch & Co of A/A+ respectively, reflecting the strong
asset-liability management position of the life assurance business and the
strengthened capital and strategic position under Old Mutual ownership.
Trading so far this year has been ahead of management's expectations. F&G
and Americom Life, which commenced direct marketing sales in 2001, both
specialise in life assurance and fixed annuities products. Demand for these
products has been consistently strong before and since 11 September. Claims
against the Group on lives assured arising from the tragic events of that
date are small in number and in absolute size, and are not expected to have
a material impact on the business.
US Businesses - Asset Management
2001 has been a difficult period for the US asset management industry
generally. The impact of volatile and declining markets has substantially
reduced asset values which have a direct impact on revenues from fees. Old
Mutual member firms recently published their assets under management figures
at the end of the third quarter showing funds under management of US$135
billion, compared to US$152 billion on a like for like basis at the end of
June 2001. Against the poor market background the performance of Old
Mutual's US asset management businesses has been encouraging.
The investment quality of the money managers in Old Mutual's member firms
has been recognised in public ratings and industry benchmarks. Our principal
mutual fund firm, Pilgrim Baxter, continues to diversify its product range
and has recently registered with the SEC to distribute five sub-advisory
funds from within the Old Mutual stable. Over the first three quarters of
the year, fund inflows into Pilgrim Baxter were net positive and the company
has benefited from a number of substantial new mandates won.
As part of the alignment of Pilgrim Baxter within the Old Mutual Group, an
option was put in place for Old Mutual to purchase the remaining revenue
share and related expenses for a total consideration of $420 million payable
in six annual instalments. The period for exercise of this option runs until
December 2001. Old Mutual is currently in negotiations with management over
these arrangements. If the option is not exercised, Pilgrim Baxter
management would be entitled to a 20% revenue share in the business for a
ten-year period.
The multi-style nature of the total family of firms in Old Mutual's US
institutional asset management operations has been a particular strength in
these volatile conditions. Dwight Asset Management has continued its
successful development as one of the leading fixed income managers in the
USA. During the third quarter, it was agreed that it would take
responsibility for fund management activities for F&G. Clay Finlay, the
international equity specialist, continues to attract new funds, with a high
proportion of recent new accounts being secured from international clients
based across the globe.
Fund flows remain satisfactory overall, although two firms within Old Mutual
Asset Managers (US) suffered fund outflows following the withdrawal of a
number of sub-advisory relationships from one substantial client. The
impact of these withdrawals will arise from the fourth quarter. The
remaining member firms had a balance of positive cash flows. If this
performance is maintained for the rest of the year, the Group expects to
achieve its stated target for the year of stemming the fund outflows seen in
the periods prior to Old Mutual's acquisition of these businesses.
South African Businesses
The underlying performance of the Group's wholly-owned operations in South
Africa (which are the largest of the Group's profit contributors) remains
satisfactory and there has been no material change of performance since the
interim results. In the South African life assurance operations, the
improvement in new business flows, including single premium sales, has
continued in the third quarter.
UK Businesses
The events of 11 September have exacerbated the weak trading environment
already prevailing for Old Mutual's UK operations during 2001. This has had
a particularly negative impact on the performance of Gerrard, which is
currently trading at a loss, having already booked a loss for the third
quarter.
A sustained drop in trading volumes has had a marked negative effect on
commission income earned by Gerrard. This is only partially offset by good
trading in the wholesale risk management products of GNI.
The substantial project to re-engineer the back office systems of Gerrard
has recently been completed, and trading on the new platform is proceeding
well. Private client assets under management and the client base continue
to hold up satisfactorily despite difficult market conditions. Management
is conducting a review of actions to redress the situation.
GNI has benefited from an increase in trading in the fixed interest and
equity derivatives business as investors follow risk minimisation
strategies. During 2001 a re-focused GNI Fund Management has launched
additions to its specialist range of hedge funds and risk management
products.
On 24 October, management announced a decision to merge the retail funds
businesses of Old Mutual Asset Managers (UK) Ltd and Gerrard Investment
Funds under the management of OMAM UK. This integration is expected to yield
substantial benefits in terms of improved client service, broader product
scope, and meaningful savings from the elimination of duplication.
Financial Impacts
Operating profits of the Group's wholly-owned South African businesses
expressed in Rand are not directly affected by changes in currency rates.
However, the underlying growth in all our Rand-based businesses will be
affected in the Group accounts when reported in Sterling by a decline in the
rate of exchange. The average Rand/ exchange rate for the year to date (31
October) was 11.82 compared to 10.52 for the year ended 31 December 2000.
The current Rand/ rate is R13.98. The company calculates that this
depreciation will adversely impact earnings for the current year expressed
in Sterling by 12% on a year-to-year comparison.
Declining global equity markets have adversely affected our assessment of
the value of the acquired asset management and broking businesses. It is
currently anticipated that, in addition to normal amortisation, there will
be a write-down of purchased goodwill of up to 650 million.
It is currently anticipated that following a review of the portfolio of
strategic and unquoted asset management investments, a write-down of
approximately 20 million will be made this year.
The recent currency volatility, particularly affecting the South African
Rand, has had an impact on the value of the Group's assets held in
currencies other than Sterling, when translated into Sterling. At 30 June
2001, total shareholders' funds stood at 3,692 million. The translation of
total shareholders' funds at 30 June 2001 using exchange rates at 31 October
2001 would result in total shareholders' funds declining to 3,326 million.
Commenting, Julian Roberts, Group Finance Director, said:
"Conditions in equity markets have continued to adversely affect the results
of Old Mutual, but our major businesses continue to show resilience relative
to their peers. Management is responding vigorously to the challenge of
continuing to deliver excellent performance to our many clients and to
reduce expenses where revenues have declined. Our operations are in a good
position to take advantage of any recovery in the year ahead."
Conference Call:
There will be an analysts' telephone conference call with Julian Roberts at
08.45 this morning, UK time (10.45 South African time). To participate
please dial the following number in London, + 44 20 8240 8242, quoting
reference 343176, and follow the audio instructions. Should you not be able
to participate a replay facility is in place for 48 hours immediately
following the conference call. To activate the replay facility dial the
following number in London, +44 20 8288 4459, quoting reference 343176, and
follow the audio instructions.
Forward-looking statements: This announcement contains certain forward-
looking statements with respect to the financial condition and results of
operations of Old Mutual plc and Group companies, which by their nature
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that may occur in the future. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, global, national and regional economic
conditions, levels of securities markets, interest rates, credit or other
risks of lending and investment activities, and competitive and regulatory
factors.
Old Mutual expects to announce its preliminary statements of results for the
year to 31 December 2001 on 26 February 2002. It is expected that Nedcor
Limited will release its results for the year ending 31 December 2001 on 13
February 2002. Consequently, Old Mutual expects to go into close period on
12 December 2001.
8 November 2001
ENQUIRIES
Old Mutual plc
(Cape Town)
Julian Roberts Group Finance Director
James Poole, Director Investor
Relations Tel: + 27 21 509 6929
Mike Willis, Manager Investor
Relations South Africa
Old Mutual plc
(London)
Anton Sweet, Investor Relations Tel: + 44 20 7569 0100
College Hill
(London)
Gareth David
Nicholas Williams Tel: + 44 20 7457 2020
College Hill
(Johannesburg)
Robyn Hunt Tel: + 27 11 447 3030
