Shares in IG Group Holdings were down on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading despite posting a rise in adjusted pre-tax profit of 25 per cent to £157.6 million in the full year ended 31 May.

The financial services company said that revenue was up 16 per cent in the period to £298.6 million and that the number of financial clients it was dealing with had risen 10 per cent to 120,689.

The group's revenue from year on year partners business rose 42 per cent to £48.7 million.

During the period IG said it had opened new offices in China, Portugal and Sweden and had acquired South African CFD provider Ideal CFDs.

In addition the group has received regulatory approval in the U.S. for futures brokers to trade on its Nadex exchange.

IG said that its current trading was strong and that it would be recommending a total dividend of 18.5 pence per share, up 23.3 per cent from the previous year.

Tim Howkins, Chief Executive of IG Group, said, "We are well placed competitively and have extended our market lead in several of our key markets over the last year. We have demonstrated continued growth from our UK business and strong growth from both Europe and Australia, which are now businesses of significant scale. I look forward to the coming year with confidence."

Jonathan Davie, Chairman, said, "During the year, we have focused on the further development of our established and newer businesses, and our aim is that many of our newer markets should ultimately reach the scale and performance that we have achieved in the UK and Australia."

By 13:43 shares in IG Group were down 4.41 per cent on the FTSE 250 to 446.00 pence per share.

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