Securities industry profits jumped by 21% in the first quarter of 2004, the fourth consecutive quarter of earnings growth, but below the average for last year, the Investment Dealers Association of Canada said Wednesday.

The IDA said operating profits for the January-to-March period rose to $1.2 billion, 21% over those reported in the fourth quarter. The latest quarter marks the fourth consecutive quarter of earnings growth for the industry, although the quarter-over-quarter increase was below the average 39% rate recorded in 2003.

The IDA said operating profits at integrated firms were a record $895 million in the first quarter, up 10% over previous quarter and up 78% from the first quarter last year. Gains in commission revenues accounted for the bulk of operating revenue growth, in step with the rebound and seasonal pickup in the retail business.

Institutional firms had operating profits of $235 million, up 120% over the fourth quarter last year and up 142% from a year ago, while retail firms earnings jumped 4% to $101 million.

The wealth-management business continued to grow, as evidenced by results of independent retail firms, the IDA said. Operating revenues of this group were up 16% in the first quarter and 81% from the same quarter of last year. “In addition to the positive economic and capital market fundamentals, which continued to propel retail investor activity, an additional boost was provided by seasonal investment inflows in advance of the March 1 RRSP deadline,” the IDA said.

The IDA also noted that the mutual fund industry accounted for the “lion’s share” of revenue growth in the retail sector, after two years of steady declines.