Wealth platform Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (LSE:HL.) has published a fourth-quarter trading update that avoided any mention of a contentious takeover approach from private equity firm CVC Partners.
CVC has tabled a £5.3 billion offer to buy the company. While the board is open to the idea, some voters have called it a low-ball offer that is unfair to smaller shareholders.
Hargreaves stuck to the numbers in today’s update, noting stronger share-dealing volumes and record assets under management of £155.3 billion.
Competitor AJ Bell similarly noted highest share-dealing volumes when it updated on Thursday.
Hargreaves added 24,000 new clients in the quarter, spread across its SIPP, ISA and Active Saving products.
“Our ongoing focus on client service, client experience and value continue to deliver results, with client NPS for the second half of the year, which includes the busy tax year end season at 44, up from 41 for the first half of the year,” said Hargreaves’ chief executive Dan Olly.