Quilter PLC reported resilient financial results for the second half of 2025, with underlying profit before tax rising 6% year-on-year to £84.2 million. The firm maintained cautious guidance for 2026, citing persistent market volatility and elevated client advisory costs.
- Underlying profit before tax rose 6% YoY to £84.2 million in H2 2025
- Client AUM reached £47.1 billion, up 5% on the year
- 2026 guidance: underlying profit before tax expected between £165M and £175M
- 2026 quarterly dividend set at 11.5p per share, 4% higher than 2025
- Operating expenses grew slower than revenue, reflecting cost discipline
- QTR.L shares unchanged in early trading; UKX.L up 0.1%, ^FTSE up 0.3%
Quilter PLC delivered a steady second-half performance, recording underlying profit before tax of £84.2 million for the period ending December 31, 2025, a 6% increase compared to £79.4 million in the same period the prior year. The growth was supported by a 5% rise in client assets under management (AUM), reaching £47.1 billion, driven by organic inflows and favorable market movements in fixed income and equities. Despite this progress, the company emphasized disciplined cost control, with operating expenses growing at a slower rate than revenue. The firm’s performance was tempered by a conservative outlook, as Quilter reaffirmed its 2026 guidance with underlying profit before tax projected in a range of £165 million to £175 million. This represents a modest increase from 2025’s reported £168.6 million, reflecting management’s cautious stance on macroeconomic uncertainty, including interest rate volatility and geopolitical risks. The company highlighted ongoing investment in digital advisory tools and workforce training, which contributed to a 4% rise in advisory costs as a percentage of revenue. Quilter’s share price, trading under ticker QTR.L on the London Stock Exchange, remained flat in early trading on March 4, 2026, with the broader UK financials index (UKX.L) showing a 0.1% gain. The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) index advanced 0.3% on the day, indicating broad market stability. Analysts noted that while results were in line with expectations, the lack of upside surprises limited momentum for the stock. The company’s capital return policy remains unchanged, with a quarterly dividend of 11.5p per share confirmed for Q1 2026, representing a 4% increase from the prior year’s payout. Quilter reiterated its commitment to maintaining a balanced capital structure and strategic investment in long-term capability.