Raymond James Sees Weaker Reps Falling Away Hot

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CEO Paul Reilly points to the private client unit as the main engine of the firm's growth, with AUM up 21% on an annualized basis to $35 billion and AUA up 13% at $275 billion.

 

Likewise, the private client group brought in 18.5% more revenue last quarter than it did a year ago, accounting for 64% of Raymond James' overall cash flow.

 

Reilly says he's comfortable with a widely reported slight advisor head count decline. 

 

As he said in the call, productivity per advisor is rising and the firm is "continuing to recruit at a slower pace, but really kind of keeping head count even."

 

Weaker independent reps are dropping out as "the economics drives them to the edge sooner."

 

The investment-banking-oriented capital markets unit also reported record revenue and now accounts for 20% of the company on a top line basis. However, as Reilly notes, deal flow slowed down and costs were higher.

 

On a quarter-to-quarter basis, the growth was harder to see, which explains the "lumpiness" Reilly discussed in the firm's earnings call.

 

The private client group brought in 7% more in the March quarter than it did at the end of 2010, while AUM edged up 6%. But the investment banking business ground up 3% quarter-to-quarter.

 

Raymond James remains heavily commission-driven, receiving roughly $11 in brokerage fees for every $1 it brings in on the investment advisory side. 

 

The bulk of its growth quarter-to-quarter came from securities commissions. Investment advisory fees were flat, even though that side of the company has grown a healthy 24% over the last year.

 

Analysts were slow to react to the quarter -- or simply not surprised. However, S&P Equity raised the company to "buy."

 

LPL is currently scheduled to report its first quarter results on Monday.

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