26.08.2010 |
- Successful internationalisation and a high degree of diversification in recent years have ensured clear premium growth in all regions and segments; group premiums written are up 9.2%, to € 3,226 million.
- Above-average increases in premiums in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (+12.9%) and especially in Western Europe (+35.8%) accelerate the Group's growth; successful co-operations in bank sales deliver 51.6% more life insurance premiums in international business
- Profit on ordinary activities doubled - up 100.3%, to € 71 million; this is thanks to improved operating results and higher financial earnings yet despite high payments to customers due to storm damage and long-term investments in customer services and sales
UNIQA General Director Dr. Konstantin Klien: "The latest results confirm our strategy of placing equal emphasis on Eastern and Western Europe in internationalisation and regional diversification of the UNIQA Group, whilst also driving forward our domestic market in Austria. UNIQA has achieved double-digit increases in premiums both in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and in Western Europe in the first half of the year, posting double-digit rates of growth in a total of 13 foreign markets. One of the strongest impulses in the first half of the year has come from the life insurance business in Italy, underlining the importance of our focus on both East and West. Since we have always invested sensibly and with careful good judgement as we expand, we have not been forced to post write-downs on a single one of our foreign commitments despite what in some places have been severe economic crises and sustained periods of recession in some countries in Eastern Europe. We will continue to push forward the internationalisation of the Group with measured judgement, gearing our focus primarily on those 21 European markets where UNIQA is already present - particularly in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, where we have identified enormous growth potential over the longer term."
Group premiums written increased by 9.2% - life business driving growth The UNIQA Group increased premiums written (including the savings components in unit- and index-linked life insurance) by 9.2%, to € 3,226 million. Across the Group, the strongest growth in the first half-year was achieved in life insurance - premiums written increased by 15.5%, to € 1,312 million. The volume of premiums in property and casualty insurance was increased by 5.7%, to € 1,419 million, and in health insurance by 4.2%, to € 495 million.
Consistent double-digit growth in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe In Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the growth in premiums for the UNIQA Group - up 12.9%, to € 642 million - was highly satisfactory, given the consequences of the financial and economic crisis. The biggest growth was achieved in life insurance, up 14.7% (to € 228 million) - partly due to successes in the preferred partnership with the Raiffeisen banks. Premiums in property and casualty insurance grew by 11.8% to € 407 million, including clear gains in the automobile business that dominates in these markets. Premium income from health insurance in this region increased by 26.8%, to € 6 million.
Life business in Italy accelerating growth in Western Europe The UNIQA companies in the Western European markets succeeded in increasing premiums written by a total of 35.8%, to € 601 million. Premiums from life insurance were more than doubled, thanks to high demand in Italy and the intensified collaboration with Veneto Banca - they rose by 107%, to € 274 million. In property and casualty insurance, the volume of premiums grew by 3.3% to € 236 million, and in health insurance by 11.1% to € 90 million.
Premium growth in Austria clearly outstripping market forecasts The UNIQA Group succeeded in increasing premiums written in Austria in the first half-year 2010 by 2.0%, to € 1,984 million - placing the growth clearly above the market forecast of 0.8%. Recurring premiums were even up 3.6%. The strongest increases were achieved in property and casualty insurance, up 3.4% to € 775 million. This growth was underpinned by the successful implementation of customer-specific cost estimating models and product innovations in motor vehicle insurance. In life insurance, premiums rose by 0.6% to € 810 million - with recurring premiums up 4.7%, whereas there was a drop in single premiums following the exceptional increases of the previous year. Health insurance premiums rose by 2.4% to € 399 million.
Storms and major losses lead to an increase in benefits paid; cost ratio holding steady In the first half-year 2010, UNIQA paid € 2,348 million in insurance benefits for customers, including expenditures for profit-sharing and reimbursement of premiums (before reinsurance) - this is up 12.1% on the figure for the first six months of 2009. This trend was characterised by a large number of smaller and more severe storm events and by a number of major losses. In connection with the flood events in May and June alone, the UNIQA Group paid out more than € 20 million in benefits to its customers.
The productivity of the UNIQA Group was maintained at a high level in the first half-year, and the Group cost ratio remained stable by comparison with the first half-year 2009, at 22.6%.
Further upward movement in investment earnings The UNIQA Group's investment portfolio stood at € 23,732 million at the half-year point, which is 9.0% above the figure at 30 June 2009. Net earnings from investments were up 36.7% over the first half-year of 2009 to € 457 million, as financial markets stabilised.
Half-year result doubled; sound basis for the expectation of an annual result of around € 120 million The profit on ordinary activities has been doubled by comparison with the first six-month figure for 2009, to € 71 million (+100.3%) - reflecting improved operating results and higher financial earnings despite significant increases in benefits for customers (due to storms and major losses) and further investments in customer services and sales.
For the full FY 2010, UNIQA continues to anticipate a result of around € 120 million, assuming the absence of any negative surprises in the capital markets affecting the income statement; compared with 2009, this would represent an increase of over 45%. In view of the good half-year result, this expectation is considered soundly based.
Vienna, 26. August 2010