The Clime Investment Management Limited (ASX: CIW) share price has jumped as much as 41.18% today on the back of a material acquisition.

Clime is an integrated wealth management business. Founded in 1996, its operations encompass private wealth advice, investment management, self-managed super fund administration, and share research and valuation. The company also offers a number of unlisted funds, along with the Clime Capital Ltd (ASX: CAM) listed investment company.

Before we dig into the announcement, it’s important to note that Clime Investment Management sits at the smaller end of the ASX. At the time of writing, Clime has a market capitalisation of $31 million, with shares changing hands at 55.5 cents per share – up 30.59% for the day.

What did Clime Investment Management announce?

This morning, Clime released an announcement and associated investor presentation regarding recent trading conditions, a completed institutional placement and an acquisition.

With this, the company announced it has successfully completed a $4.5 million placement at an issue price of 46 cents per share. This issue price represents an 8.2% premium to Clime’s last closing price of 42.5 cents.

The placement was undertaken to fund the acquisition of a series of businesses from SC Australian Holdings. Clime has agreed to acquire all of the issued share capital of each of Madison Financial Group, AdviceNet, WealthPortal and Proactive Portfolios – together, the MFG Entities – for $4.4 million.

The MFG Entities provide licensing, compliance, technology and support to around 100 financial advisory firms. The entities have around $3 billion in funds under advice and total gross annual revenue of approximately $34 million.

Clime expects to complete the acquisition in mid to late June.

Trading update

Along with the acquisition and associated placement, Clime also shed some light on its recent business performance.

The company stated that all segments were performing well prior to COVID-19. While the evaluation of the impact of the pandemic is in progress, the effects have been cushioned through the lowering of variable expenses and government support.

Quantifying these effects, Clime revealed gross funds under management (FUM) declined from $1,097 million on 14 February 2020 to a low of $874 million. Gross FUM as at 29 May 2020 was $969 million.

The company noted that its ordinary operating result (revenue less expenses) and net group result are positive. However, both results are below budget due to COVID-19. Net group result takes into account the ordinary operating result plus the impact of balance sheet investments and performance fees generated.

Clime expects these results to improve with the inclusion of JobKeeper and ATO benefits. Additionally, it has seen improving return on mark-to-market balance sheet investments to 29 May. 

As at 29 May 2020, the company had $4 million cash and $6 million in liquid investments on its balance sheet.

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Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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Looking for 2 ASX shares that have strong long-term growth potential? Australia’s economy may be starting to pick up after the coronavirus. Now could be a good time to top up on your ASX portfolio with Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) and JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) shares.

Why JB Hi-Fi?

Bricks and mortar retailers such as Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) and Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS) have seen recent struggle.

However, JB Hi-Fi continued to see strong momentum through the quarter containing March. Its Australia division experienced sales growth of 11.6%. Growing stronger was its Good Guys division at 13.9%.  This strong momentum continued into April and early May.

JB Hi-Fi’s Australia stores remained open during the coronavirus crisis.

The demand for a range of goods including technology products for remote working, learning and communication remains strong. Essential home appliances for food storage and preparation saw high demand, too.

In particular, the company’s online channel strategy is well developed, assisted by a handy click and collect facility.

JB Hi-Fi’s share price has rallied strongly from its 12 month low in late March. Despite it becoming a bit pricey, I still believe it offers reasonably good value as a long-term buy.

It also offers an attractive forward annual dividend yield of 3.9%, that is fully franked.

Why Transurban?

Transurban is one of the world’s largest toll-road operators. It’s the largest operator of private toll-roads in Australia, owning a virtual monopoly of Sydney and Melbourne tolls with a number also in Brisbane. In addition, Transurban also manages and develops toll-roads in North America.

Unsurprisingly, Transurban’s traffic volumes were significantly impacted in the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic. However, Transurban revealed in its most recent update in early May that traffic numbers are now starting to pick-up again.

Also, some commuters may be choosing to drive instead of taking crowded trains and buses through public transport.

I believe that Transurban is still well-positioned for long term growth. This is likely to lead to above-average shareholder returns.

A key driver of this will be the increasing use of toll roads. Congestion on our main roads is growing as our major cities continue to expand. Thus, vehicle volumes will inevitably continue to increase.

Both Transurban and JB Hi-Fi shares, I believe, offer strong long-term growth potential and are worth a look by investors.

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Motley Fool contributor Phil Harpur has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Transurban Group. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post Why JB Hi-Fi shares and 1 other are a buy for long-term growth appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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