AJ Bell hails record Q2 inflows, customer growth

(Sharecast News) - Investment platform AJ Bell reported record second-quarter net inflows on Thursday amid record growth in customer numbers.

In the platform business, gross inflows were up 40% on the previous year at £5.6bn, with net inflows 42% higher at £2.7bn.

AJ Bell hailed record growth in customer numbers, which rose by 50,000 in the quarter to 723,000, up 22% in the last year and 7% in the quarter.

Total advised customers came in at 189,000, up 7% in the last year and 2% in the quarter, while D2C customers were up 28% and 9% respectively to 534,000.

Assets under administration jumped 20% over the year and 1% in the quarter to £108.7bn.

In the investment business, AUM rose 31% over the year and 3% in the quarter to £9.8bn, while net inflows came in at £0.3bn, down from £0.4bn a year earlier.

Chief executive Michael Summersgill said the D2C platform delivered its strongest quarter to date, with the significant increase in new customers reflecting "the value placed on our low‑cost propositions, ease of use and trusted brand".

"These factors also contributed to heightened inbound account transfers from other platforms within the market," he said. "Our advised platform delivered record‑equalling gross inflows, with strong growth partially offset by anticipated outflows associated with ongoing adviser consolidation."

He added: "Whilst recent market volatility impacted asset values at the end of the quarter, customer appetite to invest remained strong in the run‑up to the tax year-end.

"The UK platform market continues to offer significant structural growth opportunities, and our diversified revenue model and highly scalable business model position us well to continue to invest for long‑term, sustainable growth."

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