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lausanne-based broker delivers over 115 million francs in profit. the swiss interdealer broker significantly grew its revenue and profit in 2024, cementing its role as the crown jewel in the portfolio of its french parent, viel & cie. compagnie financière tradition (cft), one of the world’s top three brokers for over-the-counter (otc) financial products, delivered a strong performance for 2024. after having published its 2024 turnover a month ago, as reported by finews.com, the company made its detailed figures available on friday. the lausanne-based group reported revenue including joint ventures of 1.13 billion francs, representing a rise of 11.0 percent at constant exchange rates. operating profit before depreciation and amortization (ebitda) climbed 19.7 percent to 176.5 million francs, with an operating margin of 15.6 percent. net profit attributable to shareholders surged 27.0 percent to 115.6 million francs, while basic earnings per share increased 23.2 percent to 15.09 francs. riding the volatility curve. in the words of the company, 2024 was driven by a «dynamic macroeconomic environment» and «ongoing geographical uncertainty», which «drove volatility in financial markets and helped boost trading volumes across all regions and asset classes». reflecting its robust performance and strong balance sheet, the company proposed a 12.5 percent increase in its dividend to 6.75 francs per share. the payout corresponds to a yield of 3.4 percent, based on the closing share price of 197.50 francs on march 20, 2025. cft’s financial position remains solid, with gross cash of 611.7 million francs and net cash of 305.0 million francs, including the group’s share in the net cash of its joint ventures. consolidated equity attributable to shareholders rose to 483.0 million francs, up from 405.1 million the previous year. the jewel in viel's crown. cft is majority-owned (70.89 percent) by the french investment holding viel & cie., which also holds 40 percent of swiss life banque privée and is a major shareholder of french online broker bourse direct. among viel’s holdings, cft is widely considered the most valuable and strategically important asset. patrick combes, chairman of cft since 1997, also serves as the chairman of viel & cie. under his long-standing leadership, cft has expanded into over 30 countries and grown to employ more than 2,400 staff globally. the company offers broking and data services across a broad range of financial and non-financial products. since 2021, the company's operations are led by michael anderson as ceo, a veteran who had been with the company since 2001, as reported by finews.ch at the time (article in german). 2025 outlook. looking ahead, the group remains focused on organic expansion. according to the release, «compagnie financière tradition aims to leverage its strategic positioning and expertise to support its clients in an increasingly complex market environment». the company plans to maintain «targeted investments in the digitalization of its hybrid brokerage activities as well as in its data and analytics businesses», while continuing to prioritize «strict cost management» and «continuous improvement of balance sheet quality».
Lausanne-Based Broker Delivers Over 115 Million Francs in Profit
The Swiss interdealer broker significantly grew its revenue and profit in 2024, cementing its role as the crown jewel in the portfolio of its French parent, Viel & Cie.
Compagnie Financière Tradition (CFT), one of the world’s top three brokers for over-the-counter (OTC) financial products, delivered a strong performance for 2024. After having published its 2024 turnover a month ago, as reported by finews.com, the company made its detailed figures available on Friday. The Lausanne-based group reported revenue including joint ventures of 1.13 billion francs, representing a rise of 11.0 percent at constant exchange rates.
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) climbed 19.7 percent to 176.5 million francs, with an operating margin of 15.6 percent. Net profit attributable to shareholders surged 27.0 percent to 115.6 million francs, while basic earnings per share increased 23.2 percent to 15.09 francs.
Riding the Volatility Curve
In the words of the company, 2024 was driven by a «dynamic macroeconomic environment» and «ongoing geographical uncertainty», which «drove volatility in financial markets and helped boost trading volumes across all regions and asset classes».
Reflecting its robust performance and strong balance sheet, the company proposed a 12.5 percent increase in its dividend to 6.75 francs per share. The payout corresponds to a yield of 3.4 percent, based on the closing share price of 197.50 francs on March 20, 2025.
CFT’s financial position remains solid, with gross cash of 611.7 million francs and net cash of 305.0 million francs, including the Group’s share in the net cash of its joint ventures. Consolidated equity attributable to shareholders rose to 483.0 million francs, up from 405.1 million the previous year.
The Jewel in Viel's Crown
CFT is majority-owned (70.89 percent) by the French investment holding Viel & Cie., which also holds 40 percent of Swiss Life Banque Privée and is a major shareholder of French online broker Bourse Direct. Among Viel’s holdings, CFT is widely considered the most valuable and strategically important asset.
Patrick Combes, Chairman of CFT since 1997, also serves as the Chairman of Viel & Cie. Under his long-standing leadership, CFT has expanded into over 30 countries and grown to employ more than 2,400 staff globally. The company offers broking and data services across a broad range of financial and non-financial products.
Since 2021, the company's operations are led by Michael Anderson as CEO, a veteran who had been with the company since 2001, as reported by finews.ch at the time (article in German).
2025 Outlook
Looking ahead, the group remains focused on organic expansion. According to the release, «Compagnie Financière Tradition aims to leverage its strategic positioning and expertise to support its clients in an increasingly complex market environment».
The company plans to maintain «targeted investments in the digitalization of its hybrid brokerage activities as well as in its data and analytics businesses», while continuing to prioritize «strict cost management» and «continuous improvement of balance sheet quality».
