Annual conference marks blockbuster 2016 for Abu Dhabi Financial Group

Abu Dhabi Financial Group (‘ADFG’ or ‘The Group’) held its annual conference to mark an exceptional 2016 with the company delivering stellar performance across the breadth of its operations.

Addressing a packed audience, Chief Executive Officer Jassim Alseddiqi highlighted how the Group outperformed several benchmarks across different asset classes throughout 2016, maintaining an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 27 per cent and surpassing US$5 billion in Assets under Management (AUM).

Commenting on the successful conference, Jassim Alseddiqi said: “ADFG had a blockbuster year in 2016. Our continued success is down to our unwavering focus, scientific approach and passion for making the impossible possible with the aim of seizing the best opportunities and delivering value for our shareholders year after year.”

With a clear focus on unlocking value from strategic opportunities, ADFG successfully expanded its investments through the year at attractive returns by filling a gap left by traditional sources of capital. In addition, the Group took advantage of the weaker currency in the UK. ADFG negotiated attractive investment terms to ensure better profitability and capitalised on price dislocations in the equity markets to invest at attractive valuations. The strategy has led to financial and operational improvements across the ADFG platform.

In 2016, ADFG acquired a 48.36 per cent controlling stake in SHUAA Capital, and launched the region’s first activist equities fund, Goldilocks, which has delivered a 397 per cent return since its inception.