The FINANCIAL — Business operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2017 rose 14%, excluding the impact of Ogden1, as all businesses made strong progress. The Group remains on track to achieve its strategic objectives for 2017-2019.
Q2 business operating profit (BOP) rose 13% to USD 1.2 billion and Q2 net income after tax attributable to shareholders increased 21% to USD 896 million
Property & Casualty (P&C) combined ratio (excluding Ogden1) improved by 0.3 percentage points to 97.8%, compared to full year 2016
Life continued to perform strongly with BOP of USD 650 million, up 16% in the first half with margin expansion and positive contribution from growing bank distribution channel
Farmers delivered continued growth in fee income while the underwriting performance of the Farmers Exchanges2 improved significantly
On track to deliver on 2017 to 2019 targets with around USD 550 million in cost savings achieved, a 12.5% BOPAT ROE (excluding Ogden1) and an estimated Zurich Economic Capital Model (Z-ECM) ratio of 134%
“I am very pleased to report results that show what dedicated people can accomplish in a relatively short time, as we were able to grow our businesses in local currencies, improve our underwriting and expand our customer reach, all while reducing our cost base,” said Group Chief Executive Officer Mario Greco. “Based on that performance, we are confident that we will maintain this positive momentum, which positions us well to improve our shareholders’ returns and drive sustainable dividend growth.”
Zurich is delivering on the four targets for 2017 to 2019 that were presented at the Group’s investor day in November 2016. Excluding Ogden1, the Group’s business operating profit after tax return on equity (BOPAT ROE) was 12.5%, ahead of the target of over 12% and growing over the period. Cumulative cost savings of around USD 550 million have been achieved towards the target of USD 1.5 billion by 2019 against the 2015 baseline, with the benefits from additional actions that are underway expected to flow through by the end of the year. Cash remittances for the first half of the year are in line with the target to achieve in excess of USD 9.5 billion over the 2017 to 2019 period, and the estimated Z-ECM ratio stands at 134%3, above the 100-120% target range.
In terms of business highlights, the acquisition of the Cover-More Group Limited in Australia, a leading travel insurer, and Halo Insurance Services Limited, a specialist UK-based online rental car insurance platform, expanded the Group’s personal lines offerings and distribution channels while solidifying Zurich’s position as a leading global travel insurance provider. In addition, a new and exclusive distribution agreement was signed in May with Standard Chartered to provide life insurance solutions to its customers in the United Arab Emirates. This further underpins Zurich’s position as a leader in bancassurance, while contributing to volumes and margin growth in the Life business, according to Zurich.
Property & Casualty (P&C) business operating profit for the six months ended June 30 rose 2% in U.S. dollar terms, and 6% on a local currency basis, to USD 1.2 billion, excluding the impact of the Ogden1 discount rate in the UK announced in the first quarter, while the combined ratio for the half-year strengthened by 0.3 points over the full-year 2016 to 97.8%. Including Ogden, BOP fell by USD 184 million to USD 1.0 billion.
The stronger underlying performance over the half year reflects rate actions, a declining cost base over the period and an improved underwriting result. The accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophes for the period improved by 0.6% points over the full-year 2016 result, driven by the continued underwriting measures taken by the Group. The impact from natural catastrophes was slightly higher than seasonal expectations, while reserves remained strong over the half year.
On a like-for-like basis, excluding foreign exchange movements and businesses exited in South Africa, Morocco, Middle East and Taiwan, gross written premiums and policy fees were up slightly on a local currency basis, reflecting a targeted approach to reshaping the portfolio. In U.S. dollar terms premiums were down 3% or USD 512 million. Overall, rates rose by around 1% in the first half year of 2017 despite challenging market conditions.
Life continues to deliver on its unit-linked and protection-oriented strategy with BOP up 16% or USD 88 million to USD 650 million in U.S. dollar terms, and 18% in local currency, with increases in all segments on a local currency basis. The Asia Pacific region was the strongest driver of this growth, helped by the successful integration of the Macquarie Life retail insurance protection business in Australia and continued growth in Japan. Latin America also delivered strong growth, with increased BOP from Zurich Santander and Zurich branded businesses. In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), lower costs combined with growth in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Italy partly compensated for lower BOP across the rest of the region.
Gross written premiums, policy fees and insurance deposits decreased by USD 481 million to USD 14.4 billion, or by 3% in U.S. dollar terms. The Group’s bancassurance joint-ventures in Latin America and Spain continued to perform strongly, fueling a 32% increase in new business value across the bancassurance channel. On a local currency basis, there were improvements in Latin America, from higher sales of individual protection products in Zurich Santander and a large corporate contract in the Zurich branded business in Chile, and in Asia Pacific, where business has been growing. EMEA had a reduction in sales of individual savings products in Germany and Spain.
BOP rose 4% from the prior year period to USD 794 million, driven by continued premium growth at the Farmers Exchanges2, which are owned by their policyholders, and an improved underwriting result at Farmers Re.
Farmers Management Services BOP rose by USD 3 million to USD 700 million, largely due to an increase in fee income supported by higher gross earned premiums at the Farmers Exchanges2. Rate and underwriting actions taken by the Farmers Exchanges2 also contributed to a 4.1% improvement in the combined ratio of Farmers Re, which helped lift BOP at the reinsurer by USD 25 million to USD 6 million. New business value at Farmers Life5 increased by 16% to USD 49 million, mainly due to improved persistency and sales mix, while BOP remained stable at USD 87 million.
The Non-Core Businesses, which comprise run-off portfolios that are managed with the intention of proactively reducing risk and releasing capital, reported BOP of USD 83 million excluding Ogden1, compared to USD 26 million in the prior year period. This was largely due to the release of long-term reserves as a consequence of a buy-back program for a variable annuity product in the U.S., lower expenses and reserve releases related to other products in run-off.
Group Functions & Operations reported a net operating expense of USD 301 million for the half year, an improvement of USD 95 million or 24% over the prior year period, largely due to lower holding and financing expenses and a net underlying reduction in expenses at Zurich’s headquarters.
The net investment result on Group investments, which includes net investment income, realized net capital gains and losses and impairments, contributed USD 3.1 billion to the Group’s total revenues for the first half of 2017, a net return of 1.6% (not annualized) compared to 1.9% in the prior year period.
Shareholders’ equity increased by USD 56 million to USD 30.7 billion over the period after the payment of around USD 2.6 billion in dividends.
With effect from the third quarter, the Group intends to move to reporting full financial disclosure for the half-year and full-year only. For first and third quarter reporting, the Group will release a statement providing highlights for the quarter focusing on top-line development, together with qualitative comments on recent trading and market trends as well as the development of the Group’s capital position and notable exceptional items. The Group will continue to host an analyst conference call with management in each quarter.
