Leonteq reports its full-year results on Thursday, which should serve to reassure investors. UBS analysts expect the firm to barrel back with a 7.2 million Swiss franc second-half net profit last year, from a loss of 20 million francs in the previous period.
The profit-and-loss statement is also likely a reason that the search, spearheaded by a search firm reporting to close-knit group of three board members under vice-chairman Lukas Ruflin (pictured above) as well as new chairman Christopher Chambers, won’t be wrapped up anytime soon.
External candidates will want a deeper view of Leonteq’s books before committing to join – something which is dicey until results are public. The firm has variously said it isn’t under any pressure to replace Schoch, but in truth Amato holds wields leverage over Leonteq.
After Dynamic Chaos
Originally hired in a purely numbers role, Amato has pivoted since October into a leader capable of bringing calm to the firm and restoring the trust of investors and clients. After the dynamic chaos of Schoch, Amato appears to be the right person for the right time – a valuable asset which Leonteq’s board can ill-afford to lose.
Amato and other, undisclosed internal candidates have given assurances that they will not walk if Leonteq opts for an outsider as boss, a source told finews.com. «We don't view this as a binary decision of either becoming CEO or not having a CFO,» the person said.
