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At an enormous 13%, Ashmore Group (LSE: ASHM) has the second-highest yield on the FTSE 250. A yield like that might make an excellent addition to a passive revenue portfolio.
But the inventory has tanked greater than 64% over the previous 5 years. That’s regarding but additionally means the present value seems notably low-cost. At 127p, it’s close to the bottom it’s been in over 15 years.
However earlier than diving in, I have to assess its prospects. If it recovers, it may very well be an excellent alternative for worth buyers to safe profitable returns. If it retains dipping, it could fade into obscurity.
Let’s see what led to the decline and whether or not the inventory is value contemplating.
Rising markets
Ashmore’s efficiency over the previous 5 years is intently tied to rising markets, which will be topic to vital volatility as a result of geopolitical and financial components. That is most definitely the rationale for the numerous decline it has suffered since Covid in 2020. Whereas the rising economies of Latin America, Africa and Asia proceed to battle, so will Ashmore.
Specifically, foreign money devaluation in Türkiye and Argentina has had an impression on the inventory. Rising inflation and rates of interest have additionally contributed, together with the battle in Ukraine and China-US commerce tensions. Till these points subside, its possibilities of restoration may very well be dampened.
The results of those points are additionally evident within the firm’s monetary outcomes.
2025 first half outcomes
Within the first fiscal half of 2025, the corporate reported a 16% decline in income to £77.5m and a 36% drop in web revenue to £37.1m (in comparison with H1 2024). Earnings per share additionally decreased to five.5p from 8.7p.
Previous to latest challenges, Ashmore’s property underneath administration (AUM) have been enhancing. In 2024, they rose by $2.5bn, to $51.8bn – a 5% quarter-on-quarter enchancment. The expansion was attributed to components comparable to a weakening US greenback, improved macroeconomic situations and Chinese language fiscal stimulus plans.
However the newest quarter wiped all that out as commerce tensions prompted asset reallocations. As of 31 March 2025, AUM had dropped to $46.2bn, led by a 6% lower in Mounted Earnings AUM and a 3% decline in Equities. These outflows have been barely offset by a 7% enhance of inflows into Options.
Issues
With little proof to assist a value restoration within the quick time period, dividends stay Ashmore’s foremost draw. The corporate has a reasonably respectable dividend observe file, with no cuts or reductions.
Nonetheless, the full-year dividend has remained at 16.9p for the previous 4 years, that means it has misplaced worth to inflation. It’s additionally value noting that if income proceed declining, it could battle to keep up funds and may very well be compelled to make a reduce.
On the flip aspect, historical past (and logic) dictate that international markets will finally get well. With a below-average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of solely 12.1, Ashmore ought to have respectable room to develop.
Nonetheless, it may very well be some time earlier than that occurs. Dividend-focused buyers could also be clever to maintain the inventory in thoughts and contemplate it when issues start to enhance.
