Salford-based investment giant AJ Bell plc said on Monday it has continued to see strong customer acquisition in the first half of the current financial year and that dealing activity by D2C (direct-to-consumer) customers has “remained at elevated levels throughout.”

The news came as AJ Bell issued a trading update for the first half of its current financial year ending September 30, 2021.

“In its 2020 annual results announced on 3 December 2020, the company highlighted the high levels of new customers and record levels of dealing activity by D2C (Direct-to-consumer) customers in the year ended 30 September 2020,” said AJ Bell.

“The company has continued to see strong customer acquisition in the first half of the current financial year and dealing activity by D2C customers has remained at elevated levels throughout.

“Although dealing activity is expected to moderate from current levels in the second half, management currently expects revenue for the year ending 30 September 2021 to be at least £6.0 million above current market consensus.

“The company will provide a further update on customer numbers, assets under administration and assets under management in its scheduled Q2 trading update on 22 April 2021.”