Rathbones wealth inflows dip in 'challenging' 2012

Rathbone Brothers cited 'challenging' conditions after revealing inflows at its wealth arm dipped in 2012.

In a brief trading update from Rathbones ahead of its full year numbers scheduled for 20 February, the group said the annualised rate of net inflows at Rathbone Investment Management (RIM) fell from 7.5% in 2011 to 6.2% last year.

However, assets under management jumped 13.2% from £14.76 billion to £16.71 billion, outperforming the 5.9% increase in the FTSE 100 and 5.8% rise in the FTSE Apcims Balanced Index. The figure includes £486 million worth of acquired assets versus £305 million in the previous year.

The firm made a number of acquisitions last year, including the purchase London-based wealth manager RM Walkden & Co in April and Taylor Young Investment Management's wealth business in November.

Excluding acquisitions, the organic growth in funds under management RIM stood at 3% versus 5.4% in 2011.

Meanwhile assets at Rathbone Unit Trust Management rose 16.5% from £1.09 billion to £1.27 billion on the back of inflows of £66 million, which were 31% lower on 2011.  

At the end of last year Rathbones raised £24 million through a placing to fund further acquisitions and is cautiously optimistic for 2013.

The firm, which is fronted by chief executive Andy Pomfret (pictured), told the stock market: 'After a challenging 2012, UK equity markets ended the year on a more positive note.

'Rathbones looks forward to 2013 with more optimism, although markets do remain fragile as governments, particularly in the US, the UK and the eurozone, battle with difficult economic and financial conditions.'