AMP to raise as much as A$500m in share sale to boost capital

Wednesday 5th November 2008

AMP, Australia's biggest provider of pension plans, will raise as much as A$500 million selling shares to institutions and individual investors to bolster capital amid the credit market freeze.

The insurer will raise A$400 million in a fully underwritten placement to institutional investors. At the same time, it will offer individual shareholders in Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to subscribe for A$5,000, raising a maximum of A$100 million.

"AMP is making the placement to enhance its capital position and increase business flexibility through the ongoing market turbulence," the Sydney-based company said in a statement.

AMP also released a business update for the third quarter, which chief executive Craig Dunn said shows the insurer "continued to perform solidly." The figures show assets under management in its Contemporary Wealth Management business fell to A$51.3 billion in the three months ended September 30 from A$53.6 billion at June 30. Assets under management for its AMP Capital Investors unit fell to A$101.5 billion from A$105.2 billion.

In August, AMP posted a 22% decline in first-half profit, reflecting slumping markets and falling demand for managed funds. Profit dropped to A$366 million from A$470 million. At the time, Dunn said earnings may revive in 2009 as markets recover.

The capital raising announced today will increase AMP's flexibility at a time of turmoil in credit markets, the company said.

"Our bias is to have more capital rather than less in these difficult market conditions," Chief Financial Officer Paul Leeming said.

Shares of AMP have gained 8.9% on the ASX in the past week, trimming their 12 month slide to 42%.

By Jonathan Underhill

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