Aston Hill announces 2009 year end results

CALGARY, April 8 /CNW/ - Aston Hill Financial Inc. ("Aston Hill") announces it has filed the Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2009 and related Management Discussion and Analysis with Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities.

Management fee revenues were $3.84 million for the full year with $1.29 million of that amount recorded in the fourth quarter as Assets Under Management and advisory ("AUM") increased significantly in the later part of the year. Total annual revenue, income from investing activities and future tax recoveries was $5.23 million. After expenses, annual net income including future tax recovery was $1.24 million. This represents the first time Aston Hill has posted a positive annual net income from recurring revenue streams without performance or acquisition fees.

As of March 31, 2010, AUM were approximately $1.8 Billion, an increase of 20% from the December 31, 2009 year end total of $1.5 Billion and an increase of 157% from March 31, 2009 levels of $712 million. The notable rise in AUM is mainly due to the successful performance and continued growth of certain funds for which Aston Hill is sub-advisor with IA Clarington Investments Inc. ("IA Clarington").

Subsequent to year end, on February 8, 2010, Aston Hill announced extended agreements between its portfolio management subsidiary, Catapult Financial Management Inc. and IA Clarington to further strengthen the nature and commitment of their relationship and facilitate a long-term business arrangement. The extended agreements include an amended sub-advisory agreement with IA Clarington that has an initial term of 5 years.

Aston Hill is an asset management company with expertise in income products, energy, oil and gas property management and private equity. Aston Hill has offices in Calgary and Toronto and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AHF".

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

For a detailed description of the risks and uncertainties facing Aston Hill and its business and affairs, readers should refer to Aston Hill's interim and annual financial statements and management discussion and analysis which are available at www.sedar.com. Aston Hill undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For further information: concerning this press release, please contact: Eric Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer, Aston Hill Financial Inc., [phone]; Ben Cheng, President, Aston Hill Financial Inc., [phone]; Larry Titley, Vice President and CFO, Aston Hill Financial Inc., [phone]