Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG) - Managing Director & CEO, Shemara Wikramanayake
Managing Director & CEO, Shemara Wikramanayake
Source: The CEO Magazine
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  • Macquarie Group (MQG) is trading slightly lower this afternoon despite posting a $3 billion profit over its 2021 financial year and bolstering its final dividend by 86 per cent
  • The ASX 200-lister released its annual report for the 12 months to the end of March today, highlighting a full-year net operating income of around $12.8 billion
  • With operating expenses at $8.87 billion, this translated to a net profit after tax of $3 billion — 10 per cent higher than Macquarie’s 2020 financial year profit
  • However, Macquarie’s assets under management fell 6 per cent to $563.5 billion at the end of March 2021 compared to the $598.9 billion last year
  • Still, on the back of the sturdy profit results, Macquarie announced a final dividend of $3.35 per share for the 2021 financial year
  • This is 86 per cent higher than FY20’s final dividend and takes Macquarie’s full-year payout to $4.70 per share
  • Macquarie shares dipped after midday and have remained subdued ever since, trading 0.91 per cent lower this afternoon at $157.56 each

Macquarie Group (MQG) is trading slightly lower this afternoon despite posting a $3 billion profit over its 2021 financial year and bolstering its final dividend by 86 per cent.

The investment banking giant released its annual report for the 12 months to the end of March today, highlighting a full-year net operating income of just under $12.8 billion. This is 3.64 per cent higher than the 2020 financial year, during which Macquarie tabled $12.3 billion in income.

At the same time, operating expenses over the 2021 financial year were relatively flat compared to the year before at $8.87 billion.

The result was a 10 per cent increase in net profit after tax, which came in at $3 billion compared to the $2.7 billion last year.

Macquarie Managing Director and CEO Shemara Wikramanayake said the business’ strong performance came despite global economic challenges over the past year, reflecting Macquarie’s diversity of activities and “prudent” risk management.

“Macquarie’s performance reflects our involvement in areas of deep structural need in the global economy and the commitment of our staff to work with clients to address opportunities and challenges in our communities,” Shemara said.

However, while revenue and profit each grew, Macquarie’s assets under management fell six per cent to $563.5 billion at the end of March 2021 compared to the $598.9 billion at the same time the year before.

Macquarie said foreign exchange impacts and a reduction in contractual insurance assets in its Macquarie Investment Management (MIM) business segment were to blame for the decline.

Segment-by-segment

Looking at the company’s business arms, Macquarie Asset Management contributed just under $2.1 million to the company’s net profit, which is slightly lower than last year’s contribution of just under $2.2 billion.

Meanwhile, Banking and Financial Services delivered a net profit of $771 million, which is in line with the 2020 financial year.

Commodities and Global Markets was the strongest segment of the year, contributing $2.6 billion in net profit — a 50 per cent increase from last year. Macquarie said increased revenue from the commodities platform drove this growth.

Finally, Macquarie Capital delivered $651 million in net profit, which is 15 per cent lower than the year before.

Bolstered dividend

On the back of the sturdy profit results, Macquarie announced a final dividend of $3.35 per share for the 2021 financial year, which is 86 per cent higher than the $1.80-per-share final dividend last year.

The 2021 dividend will be 40 per cent franked.

This takes Macquarie’s total dividend payout for the 2021 financial year to $4.70 per share — a payout ratio at 56 per cent.

What’s the outlook?

Looking ahead, Macquarie said it is staying cautious and taking a conservative approach to capital, funding and liquidity while global economic conditions remain rife with uncertainty.

Nevertheless, the company’s CEO was still relatively confident in her outlook for the future of the business.

“Macquarie remains well-positioned to deliver superior performance in the medium term,” Shemara said.

“This is due to our deep expertise in major markets; strength in business and geographic diversity and ability to adapt the portfolio mix to changing market conditions; an ongoing program to identify cost-saving initiatives and efficiency; a strong and conservative balance sheet; and a proven risk management framework and culture.”

Macquarie shares traded green for most of the morning but dipped after midday and have remained subdued ever since. At 3:21 pm AEST, MQG shares are down 0.91 per cent to $157.56 each.

MQG by the numbers
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