Swiss interdealer broker Compagnie Financière Tradition today reported its financial results for 2022.

A shift in central bank monetary policy, away from quantitative easing and towards rate hikes, benefited the Group’s operations. This positive trend was reflected across all regions and products, particularly in Forex and interest rate products and securities and security derivatives. With the easing of Covid-19 measures, the gradual transition back to the office across the trading floors also benefited Tradition’s activities, and generally enabled the financial markets to function more efficiently.

Against this backdrop, the Group’s adjusted consolidated revenue was up 10.6% at constant exchange rates to CHF 1,028.6m, compared with CHF 950.8m in 2021. Adjusted revenue from interdealer broking business (IDB) grew 10.4% at constant exchange rates to CHF 994.7m, while revenue from the online Forex trading business for retail investors in Japan (non-IDB), was ahead 14.6% to CHF 33.9m.

At current exchange rates, adjusted consolidated revenue was up 8.2%, while IDB and non-IDB activity was up 8.5% and 0.3% respectively, caused by depreciation of JPY over the year.

After an increase of 7.7% at constant exchange rates in the first half, adjusted consolidated revenue was up 13.8% at constant exchange rates in the second half compared to the same period in 2021, with IDB business growing by 13.9% and non-IDB business by 11.9%.

Adjusted operating profit before exceptional items was CHF 130.3m against CHF 99.9m in 2021, an increase of 34.0% at constant exchange rates, with an operating margin of 12.7% and 10.5% respectively.

The Group’s activity grew during the year with reported consolidated revenue of CHF 947.4m compared with CHF 873.6m in 2021, up 10.5% at constant exchange rates, or 8.4% at current exchange rates.

Reported operating profit for the year was CHF 94.2m against CHF 73.2m in 2021, an increase of 29.1% at constant exchange rates with an operating margin of 9.9% against 8.4% in the previous year.

The Group recognised net financial expense of CHF 3.7m in 2022 against CHF 10.8m in the previous year. Net foreign exchange results due to exchange rate fluctuations positively impacted the Group’s financial income and represented a gain of CHF 5.0m for the year. Interest expense on bank borrowings and bonds, net of interest income from short-term cash investments, totalled CHF 6.4m against CHF 6.5m in the previous year.

The share in the results of associates and joint ventures was CHF 29.6m against CHF 22.6m in 2021, an increase of 38.6% at constant exchange rates.

Profit before tax was CHF 120.1m against CHF 85.0m in 2021. The Group’s tax expense amounted to CHF 22.7m against CHF 13.5m in 2021, with an effective tax rate of 25% against 22% in the previous year.

Consolidated net profit was CHF 97.4m compared with CHF 71.5m in 2021 with a Group share of CHF 89.1m against CHF 65.3m in 2021, an increase of 40.3% at constant exchange rates. Hence, the basic earnings per share increase by 35.0% at current exchange rates to CHF 11.83 from CHF 8.76 in 2021.

The Group maintained its focus on a sound balance sheet with a strong capital position while keeping a low level of intangible assets and a strong net cash position. Consolidated equity, before deduction of treasury shares of CHF 23.5m, was CHF 466.0m at 31 December 2022, with an increase in adjusted cash to CHF 243.1m, including the Group’s share of net cash held by joint ventures, compared with CHF 203.4m in 2021.

At 31 December 2022, consolidated equity stood at CHF 442.5m (2021: CHF 429.7m) of which CHF 416.8m was attributable to shareholders of the parent (2021: CHF 407.5m). Total adjusted cash, including financial assets at fair value, net of financial debts, was up to CHF 149.1m at 31 December 2022 against CHF 105,7m at 31 December 2021.

At the Annual General Meeting to be held on 25 May 2023, the Board will be seeking shareholders’ approval to pay a cash dividend of CHF 5.5 per share (yield of 5.0%1)). In addition, a distribution of treasury shares will also be proposed with one share distributed for each 100 shares held (yield of 1.0% or CHF 1.11)).

The level of activity at the start of 2023 continued along the lines of last year, growing more than 10% from January to date compared with the same period in 2022 at constant exchange rates, driven by central bank monetary tightening policy to combat stubborn inflation. Compagnie Financière Tradition will pursue its growth strategy and cost discipline, while maintaining investment in its data and analytics activities and hybrid broking capabilities.