AFS looks to capital raising and listing



Peter Daly
Dealer group Australian Financial Services (AFS) has vowed to continue an aggressive growth strategy in 2008 including moving to a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange and undertaking a capital raising in May.
The company’s chief executive, Peter Daly, said the company was now ready to undertake the next phase of growth and a public listing.
However, he said that two key elements needed to be in place for any public listing to be successful — a demonstrated history of sustained profits that would increase in the future and dividend growth.
Looking at the company’s immediate strategy for 2008, Daly said acquisition of like-minded dealer groups that were a cultural and business fit with AFS would be pursued, including niche positioned businesses that would add value.
He said that AFS was also looking towards procurement of a mortgage and finance aggregator.
Daly said the company intended to complete a capital raising in May, which it believed would enhance its position with advisers, practice managers and the marketplace.
Recommended for you
Digital advice tools are on the rise, but licensees will need to ensure they still meet adviser obligations or potentially risk a class action if clients lose money from a rogue algorithm.
Shaw and Partners has merged with Sydney wealth manager Kennedy Partners Wealth, while Ord Minnett has hired a private wealth adviser from Morgan Stanley.
Australian investors are more confident than their APAC peers in reaching their financial goals and are targeting annual gains of more than 10 per cent, according to Fidelity International.
Zenith Investment Partners has lost its head of portfolio solutions Steven Tang after 17 years with the firm, the latest in a series of senior exits from the research house.