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Amundi`s net inflows (+€62.2bn) are above the annual target<sup>[8]</sup>, thanks to a development strategy based on the diversity of its markets, its areas of expertise and its broad geographic presence. Net inflows are well balanced between the retail (56% of the total) and Institutional (44% of the total) client segments. Amundi`s net inflows for open-ended funds are ranked No. 2 in Europe^[9].

Strong Retail inflows for medium/long-term assets

In 2016, net inflows for the Retail segment (+€34.7bn) remained high, due to the development of the international retail business (primarily Asian joint ventures), strong inflows from third-party distributors and a recovery in French retail activity.

The French networks experienced positive net inflows (+€2.0bn) on medium/long-term assets. This was driven primarily by the success of real estate funds (OPCIs, SPCIs).

The international networks and Joint Ventures posted solid net inflows (+€25.4bn). For Joint Ventures, net inflows continued their steep ascent in 2016, reaching +€24.8bn, primarily in medium/long-term assets. They are particularly high in China and India. As a result, JVs represented 32.4% of Retail assets at end-2016, vs. 27.8% at end-2015. Inflows from partner networks were positive in Italy and the Czech Republic. In contrast, they were negative in Japan due to an unfavourable market environment.

Third-party distributors continued to experience a strong sales trend, with net inflows of €11.9bn, almost equivalent to the figure for 2015. Inflows were particularly concentrated on the European market.

Buoyant development of Institutional business

In 2016, net inflows for the institutional segment remained significant at €27.5bn. All client segments (pension funds, central banks, sovereign wealth funds and Corporates) contributed to this trend.

High-quality net inflows driven by all asset classes

Net inflows in 2016 primarily consisted of medium/long-term assets (73% of the total). Inflows were steady throughout the year, although they did accelerate in the second half. All areas of expertise contributed to this high level of inflows, especially bonds (+€22.7bn), equity (+€9.6bn) and multi-asset portfolios (+€7.8bn). Inflows for real^[10] and alternative assets (+€5.4bn) doubled with respect to 2015, primarily due to the commercial success of real estate funds (+€3bn).

In addition 2016 was marked by the rapid growth of passive investment (ETFs, index investment, smart beta), for which net inflows amounted to +€7.9bn, with a strong contribution from ETFs (+€4.2bn).

Treasury products recorded high inflows (+€16.8bn, i.e., 27% of the total, with a strong contribution from long-term treasury).

In 2016, net inflows were still mostly driven by the international market

From a geographic perspective, net inflows outside of France represented +€46.3bn, i.e. 75% of total inflows, which confirmed the international market as a driver of steady growth. International assets under management amounted to €310bn, i.e. 29% of the Group`s total assets. International inflows were evenly split between the various regions:

In Asia (+€27.2bn in inflows), JVs experienced a powerful sales trend (+€24.8bn);

In Europe outside France (+€17.6bn), inflows were evenly divided between various countries, with particular success in Italy, Benelux and Germany.

In the 4^th quarter, medium/long-term inflows were very high

Net inflows were strong in the 4^th quarter of 2016, reaching +€23.1bn. They were particularly high for medium/long-term assets (+€19.7bn, i.e. 85% of the total). The market effect was negligible. The positive scope effective (+€5bn) was due to the integration of CAI Investor assets (a real estate manager that has strengthened Amundi`s expertise in this booming asset class). In the French networks, inflows for medium/long-term assets have accelerated (+€1.5bn).

Continued earnings growth in 2016

2016 earnings came in above target

2016 was marked by renewed growth of the net income Group share, which rose to €568m, up significantly (+7.7% vs. 2015^[11]), demonstrating Amundi`s ability to deliver steady earnings in uneven markets.

Note:

Net revenue up by +1.2% (to €1,677m). Net asset management revenue proved resilient, growing by +1.4% thanks to an increase in net commission income (+3.1%) related to the expansion of assets under management. Performance fees maintained a good level in 2016 (€115m, i.e. -16.7%) in a market context that was less favourable than it was in 2015.

Strict control of operating costs (€878m, i.e. +1.1% vs. 2015), which are evolving in line with net revenue.

Consequently, the cost-to-income ratio was almost stable (52.3%) and gross operating income amounted to €800m, i.e. +1.4% vs. 2015¹¹.

The net income Group share, which benefited from reduced income tax, grew by +7.7%¹¹.

Net earnings per share amounted to €3.40, i.e. +7.3% vs. the adjusted 2015 figures¹³.

A very good 4^th quarter in 2016

At €443m, net revenue rose by +2.7% vs. Q4 2015, primarily due to the +6.8% increase in net commission income (of which €9m was due to the scope effect). Operating expenses (€236m) were up by +4.7% vs. the 4^th quarter of 2015¹². The cost-to-income ratio stood at 53.2%. Gross operating income increased by +0.6%¹¹ to €207m. The net income Group share amounted to €153m (+16.5% from the 4^th quarter of 2015¹¹).

A solid financial structure

Once again, Amundi`s financial structure was solid at end-2016. Tangible equity^[12] amounted to €3.4bn, there was zero net financial debt and free capital, after accounting for regulatory requirements and deducting non-money-market seed money and equity interests, came to €1.5bn.

On 15 December 2016, after the acquisition of Pioneer Investments was announced, Fitch rating agency renewed the A+ rating with stable outlook.

An attractive dividend policy

The Board of Directors has decided to propose a dividend of €2.20 per share in cash at the General Meeting to be held on 18 May 2017, i.e. growth of +7.3% vs. 2015.

This dividend offer represents a payout ratio of 65% of the Group`s share of net income (based on the number of shares at end-2016), and a 4.2% yield based on the share`s closing price on 8 February 2017. The ex-dividend date is on 26 May 2017 and payment will take place as from 30 May 2017.

Capital increase

In light of the acquisition of Pioneer Investments, announced on 12 December 2016, the Extraordinary General Shareholders` Meeting on 30 January 2017 passed resolutions regarding the capital increase. The Board of Directors indicated that this increase would occur in the first half of 2017 (subject to market conditions), before the acquisition finalization (expected also in the first half of 2017).

Positive outlook

The acquisition of Pioneer Investments will significantly strengthen Amundi`s industry plan and reinforce its leadership position in European asset management. The preparation of the integration plan is being completed as scheduled, as is the process of obtaining permission from the regulatory authorities.

Financial communication calendar

28 April 2017: publication of first-quarter 2017 results

18 May 2017: General Shareholders` Meeting

28 July 2017: publication of first-half 2017 results

27 October 2017: publication of results for the first nine months of the year

Amundi`s financial disclosures for the fourth quarter and full-year 2016 consist of this press release and the attached presentation, available on http://legroupe.amundi.com.

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Summary income statement

*Excluding IPO expenses: €15m before taxes, €9m after taxes in 2015, of which €7m in Q4

Change in assets under management from 31 December 2014 to 31 December 2016

Assets under management and net inflows by client segment

* French networks: medium/long-term asset inflows up €2.0bn in 2016

Assets under management and net inflows by asset class

Assets under management and net inflows by region

About Amundi

Publicly traded since November 2015, Amundi is the largest European Asset Manager in terms of AUM(*), with over 1,000 billion euros worldwide. Headquartered in Paris, France, Amundi has seven investment hubs located in the world`s key financial centres, and offers a combination of research depth and market experience that has earned the confidence of its clients.

Amundi is the trusted partner of 100 million retail clients, 1,000 institutional clients and 1,000 distributors in more than 30 countries, and designs innovative, high-performing products and services for these types of clients tailored specifically to their needs and risk profile.

Go to amundi.com for more information or to find an Amundi office near you.

Amundi figures as of 31 December 2016. (*) No.1 European asset manager based on global assets under management (AUM) and the main headquarters being based in Continental Europe - Source IPE "Top 400 asset managers" published in June 2016 and based on AUM as at December 2015.

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DISCLAIMER:

Statutory auditors are carrying out the audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements for 2016 presented in this notice.

This document may contain projections concerning the financial situation and results of the activities and business lines of Amundi. The figures given do not constitute a "forecast" as defined in Article 2.10 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 809/2004 of 29 April 2004. These projections and forecasts are based on opinions and current assumptions regarding future events. No guarantee can be given regarding the achievement of these projections and forecasts, which are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to Amundi, its subsidiaries and its investments, the development of its activities, sectoral trends, future investments and acquisitions, changes in the economic environment or in Amundi`s major local markets, competition and regulations. Given the uncertainty over whether these events will come to pass, their outcome may prove different than currently predicted, which is likely to significantly affect expected results. The reader should take these risks and uncertainties into consideration before forming their own opinion. Management does not under any circumstances undertake to update or revise any of these projections or forecasts. No information in this notice should be taken as an earnings forecast.

The figures given have been prepared in accordance with IFRS accounting standards as adopted by the European Union and applicable as of this date.

The information contained in this notice, to the extent that it relates to parties other than Amundi or comes from external sources, has not been independently verified, and no representation or warranty has been expressed as to, nor should any reliance be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, correctness or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Neither Amundi nor its representatives can be held liable for any negligence or loss that may result from the use of this notice or its contents, or anything related to them, or any document or information to which the notice may refer.

This notice in no way constitutes an offer to sell Amundi shares in the United States or in any other country. Amundi shares cannot be sold in the United States unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933 Act as amended. Amundi does not plan to register this range of products or any part of this range in the United States, nor does it plan to conduct any public offering of shares in the United States.

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^[1]Assets under management and inflows include assets under advisory and assets sold, and take into account 100% of inflows and assets managed by the Asian JVs. For Wafa in Morocco, assets are reported on a proportional consolidation basis.

^[2] Excluding treasury products: equities, fixed income, muli-asset, real, alternative and structured assets.

^[3] 2015 figures adjusted for IPO expenses: €15m before taxes, €9m after taxes in 2015, of which €7m in Q4

^[4] Net tangible assets: Group share of equity net of goodwill and intangible assets

^[5] Free capital: for the principles used to calculate free capital, please see the Registration Document filed with the AMF on 20 April 2016.

^[6] % calculated using the number of shares on 31/12/2016

^[7]Statutory auditors are carrying out audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements for 2016.

^[8] Average annual inflow target of €40bn announced during the IPO

^[9] Source: Broadridge Financial Solutions, Nov 2016, open-ended fund domiciled in Europe

^[10] Real estate, private debt, private equity and infrastructure

^[11] Excluding IPO expenses: €15m before taxes, €9m after taxes in 2015, of which €7m in Q4

^[12] Group share of equity net of goodwill and intangible assets

PR en pdf

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This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Amundi via GlobeNewswire
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