Net income up sharply (+50% vs. Q1 2020 and +7% vs. Q4 20201) Robust inflows2 on MLT assets3 (+€9.8bn4), particularly in Retail

Business activity
– AuM2 of €1,755bn at 31/03/2021, up +14.9% year-on-year (+1.5% for the quarter)
– Robust inflows in MLT assets3-4: +€9.8bn driven primarily by Retail (+€7.8bn)
– Outflows in treasury products (-€18.6bn4) linked to the interest rate environment
– Positive momentum in JVs (+€3bn) but outflows in Channel Business in China (-€7.0bn) as expected
– Total net inflows of -€12.7bn

Lyxor
– On 7 April 2021, Amundi entered into exclusive negotiations with Societe Generale for the acquisition of Lyxor
– This acquisition improves Amundi’s key expertise, mainly in the fast-growing ETF market, and generates substantial value
– Completion of the transaction is expected no later than February 2022

Amundi’s Board of Directors, chaired by Xavier Musca, convened on 28 April 2021 to review the financial statements for the first quarter of 2021.

Commenting on the figures, Yves Perrier, CEO, said:
"Amundi recorded very good performances in the first quarter of 2021: results improved substantially, inflows in MLT assets were strong and operational efficiency continued to improve. The strategic initiatives launched in 2020 (the partnership with Banco Sabadell, the joint venture with Bank of China, and Amundi Technology) are starting to bear fruits. The acquisition of Lyxor will be a new driver of growth.
Such strong performances prove that, since its creation, Amundi’s development strategy has been relevant, consistently implemented, and disciplined in its execution. This strategy has made Amundi the European leader and a recognised global player.
As I prepare to hand over general management to Valérie Baudson, and succeed Xavier Musca as Chairman of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Xavier for his support, and all of Amundi’s employees for their contribution to the company’s success."

I. Very good first-quarter 2021 results
Net income of €309m5, up by +50% vs. Q1 2020 and by +7% vs. Q4 2020 Sharp improvement in net asset management revenues Excellent operational efficiency

Amundi’s quarterly net income5 of €309m was the highest since the company’s IPO. Growth in net income was very strong, compared to both first-quarter 2020 (+50.1%) and fourth-quarter 2020 (+7.1%). This growth was due to a positive jaw effect between sharply rising revenues and controlled costs.

Revenues benefit from improved market conditions and business dynamics:

· Net asset management fees were up significantly compared to both Q1 2020 (+5.1%) and Q4 2020 (+5.6%), partly due to the increase in the equity market average (+11% Q1/Q1 and +10% Q1/Q4 for the EuroStoxx Index) and partly to vigorous inflows in Retail and MLT assets for several quarters. Also notable was a positive scope effect6 of €21m compared to Q1 2020, mainly due the integration of Sabadell AM.
· Performance fees reached a record high (€111m vs. €42m in Q1 2020 and €94m in Q4 2021), reflecting the bullish markets and good investment performances.
· These improved market conditions drove the positive change in net financial income compared to Q1 2020, during which the abrupt market downturn affected the voluntary investment portfolio and seed money.

Operating expenses were under control (€376m). Their increase (+13.6% compared to Q1 2020 and +1.5% compared to Q4 2020) was driven by:

· increased provisions for variable compensation, owing to growth in operating income;
· the scope effect compared to Q1 2020 (+€12m).

As a result the cost/income ratio5 was at a very good level of 48.8%, vs. 54.1% in Q1 2020 and 50.7% in Q4 2020.

The operating expenses to average AuM ratio (excluding JVs) was 10.0 bp. These two ratios, the lowest in the market, attest to Amundi’s excellent operational efficiency and its ability to grow while controlling costs.

Given the buoyant activity of the equity-accounted companies (mainly the Asian joint ventures), their contribution to income increased to €18m vs. €14m in Q1 2020.

II. High level of MLT and Retail asset activity
High inflows7 of +€10bn in MLT assets, driven by Retail in particular Assets under management7 at €1,755bn, an increase of +14.9% year-on-year.

Amundi’s assets under management totalled €1,755bn at 31 March 2021, an increase of +14.9% year-on-year and +1.5% vs. the end of December 2020.
The quarter was marked by robust inflows in MLT assets (+€9.8bn excluding JVs), driven in particular by Retail, and by outflows in treasury products (-€18.6bn excluding JVs) after several consecutive quarters of inflows, and in line with the prevailing European asset management market trend.
In the JVs, activity was mixed: healthy inflows in MLT assets, and outflows on Channel business in China, as expected.

In total, net flows were -€12.7bn over the quarter:

· Retail: inflows in MLT assets are continuing to recover Inflows were buoyant once again in Medium/Long-Term Assets (+€7.8bn), driven by all customer segments, specifically third-party distributors (+€4.3bn, with both active and passive management). In the French and international networks, inflows remained robust, particularly in Italy and Spain (Banco Sabadell).
The new Chinese subsidiary Amundi BOC Wealth Management had a good start to business activity in its partner Bank of China’s networks: +€0.9bn in inflows in three months.

· Institutionals: positive flows in MLT assets and treasury product outflows
This quarter was characterised by +€2.0bn in inflows in MLT assets (vs. -€11.8bn outflow in Q1 2020) driven by all institutional client segments. In Treasury products, outflows totalled -€18.2bn after two consecutive quarters of high inflows (+€34.7bn in H2 2020).

· JVs: business activity driven by MLT assets, outflows in Channel Business in China, as expected
The Indian JV continued its growth momentum with high inflows (+€3.0bn in MLT assets), leading to a gain in market share. In China (ABC network), activity was mixed, with Mutual Fund flows still solid at +€2.1bn, and -€7.0bn of outflows, as expected, from low-margin products (Channel Business) related to regulatory changes, (vs. -€16.5bn in Q4).

In total, inflows in JVs were -€4.0bn, including +€3.0bn in MLT assets and -€7.0bn in Channel Business.

Solid inflows in MLT assets8 were driven by most expertise:
– Active management recorded high flows (+€5.9bn), driven mainly by Multi-asset and Equities expertise; Fixed Income was affected by the evolution of interest rates.
– The trend in Real and Structured Assets continued, with inflows of +€1.6bn in Q1 2021 (bringing AuM to more than €95bn at end-March 2021). Net inflows in Private Equity were particularly strong (+€1.0bn, with AuM of €10bn at end-March 2021).
– Passive management, ETFs and smart beta had a good first quarter with +€2.3bn in net inflows, bringing AuM to €171bn at end-March 2021. With inflows of +€3.3bn in Q1 2021 in ETPs9, and total ETP assets of €71bn at 31 March 2020, Amundi ranks as the fifth largest provider in Europe10.

III. Responsible Investing: confirmed leadership

Amundi continued to implement its ESG action plan, thus confirming its leadership:

· As announced, Amundi finalised its "100% ESG integration" approach in Q1 2021: its ESG AuM now include all actively-managed open-ended funds10 (over 830 funds) that incorporate an environmental and social impact study of the companies they invest in, with a better ESG performance target than the investment universe. As a result, Amundi’s ESG AuM stood at €705bn at the end of March 2021, compared to €378bn at the end of December 2020.
· Amundi is the asset manager with the largest number of open-ended funds classified under Articles 8 and 911 of the SFDR (Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation), a new EU regulation that requires managers to classify their European assets according to their degree of ESG integration. Out of all the openended funds and mandates, over 650 products representing over €450bn in assets under management are classified under Articles 8 and 9.

Lastly, Amundi stepped up development on its "Climate Change" solutions:

· €27bn in assets managed through dedicated solutions to environmental and climate issues, via a range of Passive and Active solutions on the equity and bond markets.
· Launch of the "Just Transition for Climate" fund, designed to finance a socially-acceptable energy transition.

IV. Other information

General Meeting and dividend
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with the provisions adopted by the Government, Amundi’s Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting will take place on 10 May 2021 at 9:30 a.m. without the physical presence of shareholders.
However, the Board of Directors wished to preserve the interests of the shareholders this year, and allow them to attend and participate in the Meeting remotely in real time via videoconference. Attendees will be able to vote remotely in real time on the draft resolutions, and ask questions in writing or orally during the open discussion period.
The change in governance announced on 10 February will take effect on the same day: Valérie Baudson will become Chief Executive Officer of Amundi, and Yves Perrier will become Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Dividend schedule
The Board of Directors will propose a cash dividend of €2.90 per share at the General Meeting. This dividend represents a payout ratio of 65% of the 2020 accounting net income Group’s share and a 4% yield based on the share price on 27 April 2021 (at market close).

· Detachment: 13 May 2021
· Payout: as from 17 May 2021

Financial disclosure schedule

· AGM for the 2020 financial year: 10 May 2021
· Publication of H1 2021 results: 30 July 2021
· Publication of 9M 2021 results: 4 November 2021

¹ Adjusted data: excluding amortisation of distribution contracts. See page 7 for definitions and methodology.
² Assets under management and net inflows including Sabadell AM as of Q3 2020, BOC WM as of Q1 2021, include assets under advisory and assets marketed and take into account 100% of the Asian JVs’ assets under management and net inflows. For Wafa in Morocco, assets are reported on a proportional consolidation basis.
³ Medium/Long-Term Assets: excluding treasury products.
⁴ Excl. JVs
⁵ Adjusted data: excluding amortisation of distribution contracts. See page 7 for definitions and methodology.
⁶ Data for the first quarter of 2021 includes a positive scope effect: Sabadell AM has been consolidated as of Q3 2020, the new Chinese subsidiary Amundi BOC Wealth Management as of Q4 2020, and Fund Channel as of Q1 2021. €21m impact on net income and €4m on adjusted net income. 
⁷ Assets under management and net inflows including Sabadell AM as of Q3 2020 and BOC WM as of Q1 2021 include assets under advisory and assets marketed and take into account 100% of the Asian JVs’ assets under management and net inflows. For Wafa in Morocco, assets are reported on a proportional consolidation basis.