The FINANCIAL -- Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) reported on November 13 continuing resilience in its underlying performance for the first nine months of 2008, including a third quarter profit.

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These results were achieved despite the impact of particularly adverse circumstances during the third quarter, including net capital losses for shareholders of USD 1.1 billion and catastrophe losses attributable to hurricanes Gustav and Ike in the US of USD 595 million.

 

With all core business segments delivering solid operating performances and continued selective growth in attractive business lines, the Group’s business operating profit post-tax return on equity continued to remain above its mid-term target of 16%.

 

“In the face of such turbulent times, I am particularly pleased in our ability to deliver continued profits and maintain our high solvency ratio,” remarked Zurich's Chief Executive Officer James J. Schiro. “These results illustrate the value of our disciplined approach to risk, the strength of our balance sheet and the resilience of our global book of businesses. Looking forward, we see an improving general insurance environment and continued opportunities across all our businesses, leaving us confident in our ability to generate consistent shareholder value.”

 

Nine-month performance highlights1 include:

 

Business operating profit (BOP) of USD 4.2 billion, a decrease of 15%. Annualized BOP ROE2 after tax of 16.4%

Net income3 of USD 2.8 billion, a decrease of 32%. Annualized return on equity (ROE) of 14.5%

General Insurance gross written premiums and policy fees of USD 29.2 billion, up 7% or 1% in local currencies, and a combined ratio of 98.7%, with hurricanes Gustav and Ike accounting for 2.4 points

Global Life new business value4, after tax, up 6% to USD 511 million, with new business margin, after tax (as % of APE), of 22.4% and APE up 14% or 9% in local currencies

Farmers Management Services’ management fees and other related revenues up 9% to USD 1.8 billion

Shareholders’ equity of USD 23.9 billion, a decrease of 17% over year end, largely due to unrealized losses

From a discrete third quarter perspective, the Group achieved a business operating profit of USD 636 million and net income3 after tax of USD 154 million, despite not applying accounting treatments (i.e. the amendments to the IAS 39 accounting rule as endorsed by the International Accounting Standards Board) that would have permitted the reclassification of certain trading assets.

 

Building off its strong balance sheet, adequate liquidity and a comfortable solvency position, Zurich continues to exploit profitable opportunities in its chosen markets by delivering the right services and solutions where and when it matters to its customers. Reflecting the ongoing successful integration process of its recent acquisitions in Europe, the US and emerging markets, the Group has continued to expand its product range and distribution capabilities, facilitating profitable growth despite challenging market conditions.

 

On a parallel track, the Group has continued to transform its operating platforms in ways that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its business. While on track to achieve its USD 800 million target for The Zurich Way initiatives in 2008, Zurich is announcing that it is increasing and extending its targets for after-tax operational improvements under the program to USD 2.7 billion from 2009 to 2011, or USD 900 million for each of the three years. Beyond The Zurich Way initiatives, the Group is also targeting an additional USD 200 million in expense savings to mitigate against current economic challenges.

 

General Insurance

 

General Insurance continued to demonstrate the fundamental strength of its well-diversified book of business by delivering selective top line growth and a resilient bottom line despite a competitive market environment. Business operating profit was down 7% to USD 2.6 billion, largely driven by increased losses from large and mid-size claims and the impact of lower premium rates, while benefiting from top and bottom line growth in Europe and select emerging markets. The combined ratio increased overall by 1.9 percentage points to 98.7%.

 

Gross written premiums and policy fees increased overall by 1% in local currencies (7% in dollar equivalent terms) as a result of selective growth, both by successfully exploiting organic growth opportunities within attractive market segments as well as through the integration of recent acquisitions. In line with the Group’s strategic direction, declines in premium volumes occurred in areas where rates continue to be under pressure, such as in certain commercial lines in the US and UK. However, rate reductions have slowed across the General Insurance portfolio, with pricing improvements now evident in a number of markets.

 

The results of the business divisions were mixed. In Europe General Insurance, a combination of enhanced product propositions, effective distribution initiatives, improved renewal rates and tactical acquisitions generated profitable growth of 6% in local currencies. At North America Commercial, the continued application of enhanced segmentation techniques, underwriting discipline and proactive targeting of profitable lines of business mitigated a significant portion of the effects of a challenging rate environment, but the Group still reduced premium volumes where margins were not attractive while the effects of the recent hurricanes drove down profitability. Reflecting Zurich’s disciplined underwriting approach, Global Corporate’s gross written premiums dropped 2% in local currencies, while the impact of the US catastrophes and other large losses lowered profitability. International Businesses continued to experience solid growth and increased profitability across all its regions, resulting in a 10% increase in gross written premiums in local currencies and a nearly 40% increase in profitability.

 

Global Life

Despite a difficult market environment, the Global Life segment continued its strong performance through the first nine months, with new business value, after tax, rising 6% to USD 511 million. Business operating profit increased by 12% to USD 1.2 billion, primarily as a result of improved results in the UK and Germany, where recent changes to the supervisory law that determines policyholder participation had a beneficial impact. New business annual premium equivalent (APE) grew by 14%, or 9% in local currencies, with significant increases in sales volume in Germany, Spain and emerging markets. While these results were in part offset by lower volumes in the US and reduced margins in the UK, the new business margin remained overall at a continually strong level of 22.4%.

 

The main drivers of APE growth were increases in unit-linked pensions volumes in Germany, continued growth in Zurich International Solutions and the uplift stemming from the fast and effective integration of the Group’s 50% stakes in the insurance operations of Banco Sabadell S.A. and Caixa d’Estalvis de Sabadell in Spain. The newly acquired operations accounted for USD 21 million of APE in the weeks following the closing of these transactions. This positions Zurich as the second largest insurer in Spain with an overall market share of 6.5%.

 

Farmers Management Services

Farmers’ management fees and other related revenues grew by 9% to USD 1.8 billion, as the Farmers Exchanges, which Zurich manages but does not own, delivered 6% premium growth in the first nine months of 2008 despite flat market conditions. The gross management result improved by 7%, maintaining the managed gross earned premium margin unchanged at 7.1%. Business operating profit decreased 9% to USD 919 million, largely driven by lower investment income as a result of markedly higher dividends and cash transfers to the Corporate Center, reflecting the Group’s disciplined capital management strategy.

 

The Exchanges’ strong growth was driven in part by continuing the successful rollout of Bristol West’s products throughout the Exchanges’ distribution platform, with Bristol West’s premiums growing strongly by 25%, and further progression in the transfer of North America Commercial’s Small Business Solutions book. Farmers also continues to make investments to further support profitable growth by distribution and products through various initiatives such as growing the Exchanges’ increasingly productive tied-agent sales force, focusing on growing ethnic customer groups as well as targeting growth in the independent agency channel in the Eastern United States.

 

Other Businesses

Reflecting the impact adverse financial markets have had on the Group’s run-off and non-core businesses, the Other Businesses segment saw its business operating profit decrease by USD 609 million to USD 6 million.

 

Group investments

Considering the recent volatility of financial markets, the Group’s net return on Group investments of 2.6% (not annualized) and its total return of −0.4% reflect its disciplined approach to managing assets relative to liabilities on a risk-adjusted basis. The net investment result for Group investments amounted to USD 4.7 billion, down 36%, while net capital losses on Group investments amounted to USD 1.8 billion. In the third quarter, net capital losses were driven by USD 1.1 billion of impairments, which includes impairments on debt securities issued by Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual and Sigma Finance Corporation as well as equity impairments and write-downs on other debt instruments.

 

Capital management-related issues

Zurich has paid out to shareholders approximately CHF 3.2 billion in gross dividends and share buybacks in 2008. In conjunction with net unrealized losses of USD 3.5 billion, these developments resulted in a decrease in shareholders’ equity over year end of 17% or 11% in the quarter. However, translation adjustments, primarily as a result of European currencies weakening against the US dollar since the half year, were an important driver behind the third quarter’s reduction in shareholders’ equity as evidenced by the fact that measured in Swiss francs the book value per share was down only by 1% for the quarter.

 

Zurich’s strong balance sheet builds on prudent capital management, which to some extent must be assessed relative to the economic environment and outlook. Considering the current market volatility, the Group is not buying back shares as part of the previously announced CHF 2.2 billion share buyback program.

 

With Zurich’s capital surplus as of October 31, 2008 reflecting a strong Group solvency position (Solvency I) of 159%, the Group remains confident that it is not only well positioned to weather the current financial-market crisis but to take advantage of opportunities both currently and once a more stable economic environment returns.

 

 

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