Man considers brokerage sale Mon 22 Aug 2005 LONDON (SHARECAST) - Fund manager Man Group is reported to be considering a sale of its brokerage arm, though a spokesman said no decision has been taken. Thoughts of spinning off the Man Financial business were raised after the successful $3.5bn New York flotation of Refco earlier this month. Newspapers quoted a source saying, "Man regularly reviews the structure of its business, in line with our commitment to achieve superior returns for our shareholders. "While we are of course aware of the initial success of the Refco transaction, no decision has been taken at this time to separate the Man Financial business from the remainder of the Man Group,â added the spokesman. Man Financial is a valuable asset to the fund manager, currently generating between 15% and 20% of its profits though the group has never been one to shy away from changes. Having started out as a sugar-trading company nearly 300 years ago the group has seen a number of strategic changes, the last being the decision to spin off its agricultural business though an MBO to become a pure financial services company.