First Derivatives plc (AIM: FDP.L, IEX: GYQ.I), the Newry based provider of software and consulting services to the world’s financial markets, this morning announced the acquisition of Hologram, an Australian technology company specialising in risk management and data management systems, in a deal worth approximately 2.5m Australian dollars.
Founded in 1996, First Derivatives currently employs 260 people worldwide and counts many of the world’s top financial institutions as customers. The company is a specialist provider of consulting services to the capital markets technology sector and has operations in London, New York, Stockholm, Shanghai, Singapore, Toronto and Hong Kong. Their Delta product suite, which is in use in many of the top tier investment banks and hedge funds globally, includes enterprise risk, algorithmic/program trading and data management solutions which deliver true real-time performance. The acquisition strengthens First Derivatives’ presence in the Asia Pacific region and enhances the company’s global service offering.
Founded in 2004, with offices in Sydney and Adelaide, Hologram principals are leaders in the field of Risk Management and Stock Exchange Trading software. Risk management software developed by them was bought by Sungard and is in use in several hundred financial institutions and corporate treasuries worldwide. Their stock exchange trading system which is also currently in use in many stock exchanges around the world was sold to Computershare and is now owned by NASDAQ. Hologram is also the exclusive partner for Kx systems in the financial services sector in the Australasian region.
First Derivatives’ ceo Brian Conlon said “The skills of Hologram’s executive team complement those of First Derivatives extremely well and Hologram’s product range will slot seamlessly into our Delta product suite. The Hologram principals have a track record of developing and marketing enterprise software in our domain and this expertise adds to our team of world class technology professionals. We continue to invest significant resources in research and development and the acquisition will help us expand our range of applications and adds corporate treasuries to our target customer base. The transaction is a coming together of two very like minded firms with a mutual emphasis on professionalism and a drive to produce market leading software.”
Paul Phillips from Hologram said "We are excited about the opportunities that this transaction provides for Hologram. It gives us additional channels to market for our Treasury and Enterprise Risk Management systems and allows us to accelerate our plans by leveraging First Derivatives global presence and expertise in Kx technology. In addition we are looking forward to growing First Derivatives’ sales and consulting presence in the Asia Pacific region and the acquisition will also enable us to expand our European operations in our Treasury Risk Consulting Business.
