ARDN.L Regulatory News (ARDN)

Arden Partners plc

("Arden" or the "Company")

Trading Update

Arden is today issuing a trading update in respect of the six-month period ended 30 April 2020.

Arden made a good start to the six-month trading period despite it encompassing the elevated political uncertainty around Brexit and then the General Election. Trading towards the end of the period has been impacted by the significant global market declines in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compared to the performance in the six months ended 30 April 2019, we anticipate materially higher corporate finance revenues, higher retainer levels but lower equity commissions. The equity trading operation suffered material losses as markets fell in response to COVID-19.

The Board has implemented steps to reduce the Company's cost base. As a result, the Company's current annual cost base is anticipated to be more than 25% lower than last year. The measures taken include salary and fee sacrifices for all Board members and certain senior employees of in excess of 40% of salary; salary sacrifices for all other employees; the furloughing of a number of staff and the cancellation or deferral of all discretionary expenditure. Arden will also defer the payment of VAT in line with the government's proposals. The Board will continue to take action to reduce costs and minimise the financial impact of the uncertainty caused by COVID 19.  

Before taking into account the equity trading book losses, Arden expects to report a profit for the six-month period. After taking into account the equity trading book losses, Arden expects to report a reduced loss for the period compared to the prior year.

The Company has a strong balance sheet, with cash and cash equivalent resources well in excess of its regulatory requirements.   

Operationally, we responded to COVID-19 promptly and successfully implemented a comprehensive remote working capability, which has enabled us to ensure both the wellbeing of our staff and the ability to continue servicing our clients as normal. The Company is fully operational and continues to operate as normal. Due to the quality and flexibility of our people and the strengths of our business, our ability to attract and win new high-quality corporate clients remains strong. We continue to sign up quality clients and have a good pipeline going forward.

We are working closely with our corporate clients to assess the disruption caused by COVID-19 and, where possible, assist them in protecting their businesses and continuing to implement their strategies. Our aim is to fully support all corporate and institutional clients during these unprecedented times.

Mark Ansell, Chairman, commented:

"The COVID-19 crisis has presented unprecedented challenges to our business. However, it remains in a strong financial position and we have taken the necessary actions to enable us to confront the current market environment without harming our ability to fully service our clients. The Board is indebted to the Company's employees for their hard work and ongoing support in light of these challenges.

The Board's priorities remain to protect the Company's balance sheet and to deliver on our stated growth strategy."

For further information, please contact:

Donald Brown - Chief Executive Officer

James Reed-Daunter - Executive Director

Steve Douglas - Group Finance Director

Tim Richardson

Notes for editors:

Arden is a dedicated corporate adviser and multi-service stockbroker to small and mid-cap companies in the UK and their investors.

The absolute core of our business is the effective management of the needs of our significant and growing base of corporate clients, and the effective support of their relationships with existing and potential shareholders. 

These relationships are enhanced by the quality of our corporate finance advice and industry research, and the strong market presence of our sales and trading teams.

Our corporate finance capabilities encompass M&A, corporate finance advisory, broking and Sponsor and NOMAD services. We represent our clients in private transactions and AIM and Main Market share issues.

Our research is designed to be sector focused, concentrating on top down thematic trends which highlight companies giving investors an exposure to the real growth areas of the small-cap and AIM markets.

It is the job of the sales team to keep institutions abreast of these themes and stock ideas. When there is a requirement for our corporate clients to raise money to fulfil their growth ambitions, the sales team is in a strong position to effect this, with its entrenched relationships with the UK institutional and non-institutional markets.

Our market making and trading teams provide liquidity in the shares of our corporate clients. We also trade the shares of non-client corporates on behalf of institutions.