Guardian Capital Group Limited (TSX: GCG; GCG.A) Announces 2014 Operating Results

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 26, 2015) - Guardian Capital Group Limited (TSX:GCG)(TSX:GCG.A) -

All per share figures disclosed below are stated on a diluted basis.

The Company completed a successful 2014, reaching historic highs in many of its key measures. The assets under management were $25.0 billion as at December 31, 2014, an increase of 12% from $22.2 billion as at December 31, 2013. Assets under administration were $13.1 billion as at December 31, 2014, an increase of 14% from $11.6 billion as at December 31, 2013.

The Company's operating earnings for the year were $38.1 million, a 42% growth from $26.9 million in 2013. All segments of the Company's operations contributed to the overall growth in operating earnings.

Net earnings available to shareholders for the year were $37.0 million ($1.19 per share), an 8% growth compared to $34.4 million ($1.11 per share), for 2013. The increase in net earnings available to shareholders was due to the strong growth in operating earnings in 2014, offset by the reduction in net gains.

EBITDA⁽¹⁾ for the year was $42.9 million, or $1.38 per share, compared to $32.3 million, or $1.04 per share for 2013. Adjusted cash flow from operations⁽¹⁾ for the year was $36.2 million, or $1.16 per share, compared to $27.6 million, or $0.89 per share for 2013. The increases in each of these measures reflect the strong growth in operating earnings for the year.

The Company's shareholders' equity as at December 31, 2014 was $489 million, or $15.62 per share, compared to $415 million, or $13.17 per share, at December 31, 2013. The fair value of the Company's holdings of securities as at December 31, 2014 was $525 million, or $16.78 per share, compared to $449 million, or $14.26 per share, as at December 31, 2013.

The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly eligible dividend of $0.075 per share, payable on April 17, 2015, to shareholders of record on April 10, 2015.

⁽¹⁾ The Company's management uses EBITDA and Adjusted cash flow from operations to evaluate and assess the performance of its business. These two measures do not have standardized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and are therefore unlikely to be strictly comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. However, management believes that most shareholders, creditors, other stakeholders and Investment analysts prefer to include the use of these measures in analyzing the Company's results. The Company defines EBITDA as net earnings before interest, income taxes, amortization, stock-based compensation, and any net gains or losses less amounts attributable to non-controlling interest. The Company defines Adjusted cash flow from operations as Net cash from operating activities, net of changes in non-cash working capital items and net of non-controlling interests. The most comparable IFRS measures are Net earnings, which were $37,613 for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - $34,743), and Net cash from operating activities, which was $38,083 for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - $30,669). More detailed descriptions of these two non-IFRS measures are provided in the Company's 2014 annual Management's Discussions and Analysis, including a reconciliation of these measures to their most comparable IFRS measures.

The following table summarizes Guardian's financial results for the past eight quarters.

Guardian Capital Group Limited is a diversified financial services company founded in 1962. Guardian provides institutional and high net worth investment management services to clients; financial services to international investors; and services to financial advisors in its national mutual fund dealer, securities dealer, and insurance distribution network. Its Common and Class A shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange.