CI Fund Management Inc. said today its second-quarter profit more than doubled thanks in part to acquisitions completed last year.

Net income for the quarter ended Nov. 30, 2004 soared 173% from $15.2 million to $41.5 million, in the year-earlier period.

On a per share basis, earning jumped to 14¢ a share from 6¢ a share.

Fee-earning assets at Nov. 30, 2004 were $66.4 billion, up 18% from $56.4 billion at Nov. 30, 2003.

Net sales for CI for the quarter were $297.8 million, a significant improvement from $314.4 million in net redemptions in the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

The firm spent about $1 billion late last year to buy Skylon Capital Corp., Synergy Asset Management and the Canadian operations of financial planner Assante Corp..

This helped revenues rise 49% to $258.8 million in the latest quarter from $173.4 million a year ago.

The increase was partly offset by a settlement with the Ontario Securities Commission announced in December in which the company set aside money to pay CI unitholders, the company said.

CI said it recorded a $53 million charge in connection with the settlement and related costs.

CI shares fell 19¢, or 1.09%, to $17.30, in late morning trading.