15.05.2014
MLP AG DE0006569908
MLP AG: MLP starts year with slight growth
(DGAP-Media / 15.05.2014 / 07:32)
MLP starts year with slight growth
- Q1: Total revenue rises by 3 percent to EUR 119.8 million, EBIT climbs
by 10 percent to EUR 4.4 million
- Early indicators for future revenue development positive - despite the
persistently difficult market environment
- Outlook for 2014 reiterated
Wiesloch, 15th May 2014 - In the first quarter 2014 the MLP Group grew
total revenue by 3 percent to EUR 119.8 million and increased earnings
before interest and tax (EBIT) by 10 percent to EUR 4.4 million. Within a
difficult market environment, old-age provision began to show initial signs
of a pick-up and both wealth management and non-life insurance recorded
revenue growth. Important early indicators for future revenue development
also showed a positive trend.
"The market burdens remain high and place great demands on us," comments
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Uwe Schroeder-Wildberg. "Nevertheless, we have
seen some positive signs during the first few weeks of the year but these
still need to become more established."
Rising momentum in new clients and new business
From January to March 2014 several early indicators for future revenue
development showed a positive trend: The number of new clients increased by
20 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, climbing to
6,000 (Q1 2013: 5,000). New business in old-age provision rose by around 15
percent from EUR 550 million to EUR 630 million, whereas brokered new
business within the overall industry fell by 16 percent. In the real estate
sector, MLP is already registering noticeable interest from its clients
even though the new product offering was only launched in March.
These positive trends are not yet fully reflected in the revenue from
commissions and fees. In old-age provision, revenue rose by 3 percent to
EUR 40.1 million (EUR 38.9 million). This area remains burdened by the
discussions about the low interest rate environment as well as by the
extensive negative reports about life insurers and their products. In
wealth management revenue increased by 3 percent to EUR 32.6 million (EUR
31.7 million); assets under management at 31st March 2014 amounted to EUR
24.4 billion (31st December 2013: EUR 24.5 billion). In non-life insurance
revenue rose to EUR 18.8 million (EUR 18.2 million) thus maintaining the
continuous growth pattern of the last quarters. Loans and mortgages
generated revenue of EUR 2.9 million (EUR 2.9 million) and thus remained at
the level of the previous year; additional earnings from the joint venture
company MLP Hyp amounted to EUR 0.2 million (EUR 0.1 million).
The health insurance environment remains difficult. According to figures
released by the German Private Health Insurance Association in March of
this year for example, within the industry as a whole, the number of people
with full private health insurance in 2013 fell by 66,000. However, during
the same time frame, MLP registered a slight increase in its corresponding
number of insurees. In the first quarter too many clients remained
hesitant. Against this backdrop, revenue at MLP decreased from EUR 13.9
million to EUR 11.4 million.
Across all consulting areas together, revenue from commissions and fees
rose to EUR 107.1 million (EUR 106.4 million). Interest income totalled EUR
5.8 million (EUR 5.9 Mio.) and thus remained around the level of the
previous year. Total revenue amounted to EUR 119.8 (EUR 116.4 million).
EBIT rises to EUR 4.4 million
EBIT rose to EUR 4.4 million (EUR 4.0 million). Group net profit totalled
EUR 3.4 million, increasing by 6 percent compared to the previous year (EUR
3.2 million).
MLP welcomed 6,000 new clients in the first quarter
New client numbers developed positively in the first quarter, resulting in
6,000 new clients - a figure which significantly exceeded gains in the
first quarter of 2013 (5,000). In spite of the usual seasonal decrease in
the first quarter of the year, the number of consultants stood at 1,979
(31st December 2013: 1,998) and thus fell only slightly. In the first
quarter MLP opened two new branches in the university segment, one in
Münster and one in Frankfurt.
Outlook for 2014 reiterated
The previous financial year clearly demonstrated the prevalence of even
more difficult market conditions. This consequently makes it more difficult
to issue a concrete forecast for the business development which led MLP -
as communicated in February - to use a scenario-based approach in the
forecast. Under the most probable scenario MLP continues to expect EBIT of
around EUR 65 million in the financial year 2014. This base scenario
assumes initial improvements to the general conditions. Risk factors for
further development include the continuing, and in part very critical,
public discussion about a possible further reduction in the guaranteed
interest rate for life insurance and pension insurance policies. If, during
the course of the year and on account of this situation, clients were to
adopt a similarly hesitant approach as seen in 2013, MLP would expect a
lower-based scenario to apply, corresponding to an EBIT of at least EUR 50
million. However, should the environment improve significantly more than
currently expected, a higher-based scenario would be possible with EBIT
rising up to a maximum of EUR 75 million. "Due to the market burdens,
uncertainties remain with respect to the further operative development. As
is usual in our business model, the upcoming quarters, and in particular
the second-half year, will crucially influence the full-year result,"
comments Chief Financial Officer Reinhard Loose. "It remains our objective
to once again significantly increase revenue and earnings in 2014."
Overview of the key figures
MLP Group Q1/2014 Q1/2013 Change in % (in EUR million) Revenue 112.8 112.3 0 Revenue from commissions and fees 107.1 106.4 1 Interest income 5.8 5.9 -2 Other revenue 7.0 4.1 71 Total revenue 119.8 116.4 3 Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 4.4 4.0 10 Earnings before tax (EBT) 4.4 4.1 7 Group net profit 3.4 3.2 6 Earnings per share 0.03 0.03 0 (diluted/undiluted) in EUR Clients 836,200 830,300* 1 Consultants 1,979 1,998* -1*) 31st December 2013 About MLP: MLP is Germany's leading independent consulting company. Supported by comprehensive research, the Group provides a holistic consulting approach that covers all economic and financial questions for private and corporate clients, as well as institutional investors. The key aspect of the consulting approach is the independence from insurance companies, banks and investment firms. The MLP Group manages total assets of around EUR 24.4 billion and supports more than 835,000 private and 5,000 corporate clients or employers. The financial services and wealth management consulting company was founded in 1971 and holds a banking licence. The concept of the founders, which still remains the basis of the current business model, is to provide long-term consulting for academics and other discerning clients in the fields of provision, financial investment, health insurance, non-life insurance, loans and mortgages and banking. Private individuals with assets of over EUR 5 million and institutional clients benefit from extensive wealth management and consulting services as well as receiving economic forecasts and ratings provided by the subsidiaries of the Feri Group. Supported by its subsidiary TPC, MLP also provides companies with independent consulting and conceptual services in all issues pertaining to occupational pension schemes and remuneration. End of Media Release --------------------------------------------------------------------- Issuer: MLP AG Key word(s): Finance 15.05.2014 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: MLP AG Alte Heerstraße 40 69168 Wiesloch Germany Phone: +49 (0)6222-308-1135 Fax: +49 (0)6222-308-8351 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.mlp-ag.de ISIN: DE0006569908 WKN: 656990 Indices: SDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München; Terminbörse EUREX End of News DGAP-Media --------------------------------------------------------------------- 268583 15.05.2014
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