Sampo Group’s Results for January – June 2020

The offer is of course a step in the strategy to allocate more capital to P&C insurance, and Hastings is a unique company which we have followed for some time. It operates in the large UK motor insurance market and, more importantly, in the fast-growing segment of modern digital distribution which continues to take market share from the traditional operators. Hastings results have been impressive since the IPO in 2015.

The UK is certainly an interesting insurance market. It is not only very large, but also very advanced in digital terms. I am excited about the opportunities to develop Sampo with these digital capabilities, at the same time as our Nordic expertise in other areas like retention techniques and car manufacturer collaboration can support Hasting’s future development.

The fact that we do this together with RMI, a long-term shareholder in Hastings, reduces the acquisition risks significantly. RMI is a South African financial services investment holding company and has been the largest shareholder in Hastings since 2017.

Coming back to our existing businesses, If P&C posted a technical result that improved further from the already excellent level. Stable operations where premium increases corresponded well to claims inflation. Topdanmark also recovered from the difficult first quarter of this year.

Nordea’s progress in the second quarter was encouraging. The bank remains committed to meeting the financial targets 2022, and leading indicators on cost and customer satisfaction developed strongly. It has maintained the strong financial position it had when entering the COVID-19 crisis and with its high equity tier 1 ratio and ample credit loss buffers, the bank is well prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

Of all our business areas, Mandatum Life is the most exposed to the volatility in the financial markets. At the same time Mandatum is the one to benefit most from the upturn in the equity markets as witnessed in the second quarter of this year when the other comprehensive income rose to EUR 234 million. The company’s Solvency II ratio continues to be solid at 201 per cent.

Torbjörn Magnusson
Group CEO and President

SECOND QUARTER 2020 IN BRIEF

Sampo Group’s profit before taxes for the second quarter of 2020 was EUR 407 million (506). Earnings per share was EUR 0.55 (0.73) and mark-to-market earnings per share EUR 1.73 (0.74).

Net asset value per share increased EUR 1.63 during the second quarter of 2020 and was EUR 16.99. The net asset value increased mainly because of equity market recovery, and particularly, the increase in Nordea’s share price.

If’s combined ratio for the second quarter of 2020 amounted to 80.5 per cent (83.0). Profit before taxes amounted to EUR 254 million (242).

Topdanmark’s combined ratio for the second quarter 2020 amounted to 79.7 per cent (79.8) and profit before taxes to EUR 52 million (53).

Sampo’s share of Nordea’s second quarter 2020 net profit was EUR 48 million (140).

Profit before taxes for Mandatum amounted to EUR 55 million (65). Premiums written decreased to EUR 210 million (291).

EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON SAMPO GROUP

Personnel and customer relations

Sampo Group has followed the recommendations from authorities in its respective countries both during the lock-down in the acute phase of the crisis as well as now that societies are gradually re-opening in The Nordic and Baltic countries.

In Sampo Group’s biggest subsidiary If P&C, 6,000 of more than 7,000 employees have been working remotely during the crisis and the remainder have been working in offices where social distancing measures have been observed. Mandatum Life also has followed the government advice and continues with remote work. Only a few percent of employees are working at the office premises. Also, in Topdanmark 95 per cent of employees have been working remotely.

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Nordic countries in mid-March 2020 priority was given to continuity and continued service and support to customers in the best way in the changed working conditions.

Operational efficiency and availability have been good and early indications show sick leave to have declined during the crisis.

Physical customer visits to our offices have been stopped or are subject to extra precautions. Business travel and conferences have also been halted. During this period subsidiaries have been able to offer a normal service level and customer satisfaction has remained on a high level. There has been no disruption in the customer service.

Insurance business

If’s claims cost for the first six months of 2020 was negatively impacted from travel insurance policies primarily following imposed government travel restrictions due to COVID-19. At the end of the reporting period, the total number of reported claims amounted to just over 50 000, corresponding to a gross claims cost of approximately SEK 400 million (EUR 38 million) mostly in BA Private and Norway. The net claims cost is expected to be significantly reduced by a reinsurance cover with a net retention for this event of SEK 100 million (EUR 9 million).

The lock down activities in the Nordic countries had a positive effect on claims cost especially at the beginning of the second quarter of 2020. The largest factor being reduced traffic on the roads that resulted in an extraordinary and temporary decrease in motor claims. Towards the end of the period, as governments started to reopen societies, claims frequency also returned to a more normal level. At the same time an increase in repair costs is likely because of lack of material, delays in transportation of material or shortage of personnel following implemented government travel restrictions.

During the second quarter of 2020 there was a clear negative impact on premium volume because of the COVID-19 situation. This was a result of many variables including fewer new cars sold, decommissioning of vehicles and lower insurable sums and goods.

Mandatum Life’s claims cost in January-June 2020 was in line with the previous year. Premium income was 6 per cent, EUR 32 million, below the previous year in January-June, but in April-June both claims paid and premium income were around EUR 80 million below the previous year.

In its Half-year Report for 2020 published on 17 July 2020 Topdanmark described the impact COVID-19 had on its operations. The report is available at www.topdanmark.com.

Investment activities

The swift monetary responses by central banks and governments have helped to stabilize the financial markets after the initial shock reaction in March 2020. Leading equity indices have rebounded strongly and credit spreads on bonds have narrowed since then.

Companies in Sampo Group have enjoyed good returns in the second quarter of 2020. However, the mark-to-market losses in the investment portfolio suffered during March – April 2020 had not been fully recovered by the end of the quarter.

Solvency positions

The solvency positions of Sampo Group and its subsidiaries remained robust in the second quarter of 2020. More information is available in the section Solvency.

Impacts on future operating models

As Sampo Group’s personnel gradually returns to the offices, the Group follows the recommendations of authorities in individual countries. This means that operations are returning to normal step by step and with somewhat varying speed in each country. Social distancing measures are still in effect also during the re-opening phase and the principle is to offer employees the flexibility to continue working from home for the foreseeable future, while re-opening the offices for those employees who wish to return.

The COVID-19 pandemic will have lasting effects on how operations are organized in the Group. The crisis has accelerated the digitalization of work life. Remote work has proven itself both effective and to be an important tool for handling unexpected crises. Going forward, increased flexibility will be expected by employees and recruitment candidates.

Group companies have started several “Post Corona” initiatives relating to the use of remote work in the future and the required changes in HR and employment relations.

BUSINESS AREAS

If

Profit before taxes for January – June 2020 for the If segment was EUR 383 million (440). The total comprehensive income for the period after tax was EUR 106 million (462). The combined ratio for the period was 82.1 per cent (84.7) and the risk ratio was 61.4 per cent (63.0).

Net releases from the technical reserves relating to the prior year claims were EUR 103 million (108) in January-June. The technical result increased to EUR 398 million (334). The insurance margin (the technical result in relation to the net premiums earned) increased to 18.3 per cent (15.7).

Large claims were EUR 47 million worse than expected in the first half of 2020. The Norwegian market was particularly impacted by large loss development in the first half.

The Swedish discount rate used to discount the annuity reserves was -0.81 per cent and had a negative effect of EUR 2 million on the profit in the first half of 2020.

Gross written premiums increased to EUR 2,846 million (2,772) in January – June 2020. Adjusted for currency, premium growth was 5.2 per cent compared to the corresponding period a year ago. Furthermore, growth was positive in all business and market areas – it was highest in Denmark where it accelerated to 12.0 per cent. Gross written premiums grew by 6.6 per cent in Norway, 4.6 per cent in Sweden, and 2.0 per cent in Finland. In BA Industrial, premium growth amounted to 9.4 per cent, in BA Commercial it was 6.6 per cent, in BA Baltic it reached 2.1 per cent, and in BA Private 3.2 per cent.

The risk ratio 59.3 (61.2) for the second quarter improved compared to last year. This was driven by an underlying improvement from implemented actions over a longer period as well as an extraordinary benign frequency situation in the second quarter due to the COVID-19 which resulted in a significant reduction in traffic and lower activity especially at the beginning of the quarter. Towards the end of the period claims returned to more normal levels. The positive effect on the net risk ratio in the second quarter was approximately 4 percentage points.

The cost ratio was 20.8 per cent (21.7) and the expense ratio was 15.2 per cent (16.2).

On 30 June 2020, the total investment assets of If amounted to EUR 10.8 billion (10.8).

If’s solvency position is described in the section entitled ‘Solvency’.

Topdanmark

At the end of June 2020, Sampo plc held 41,997,070 Topdanmark shares, which corresponds to 46.7 per cent of all shares and 48.1 per cent of related voting rights in the company. The market value of the holding was EUR 1,544 million on 30 June 2020.

As a consequence of the COVID-19 situation, only DKK 8.5 of the previously announced dividend of DKK 17 per share was paid following the AGM on 2 April 2020. Consequently, Sampo received EUR 48 million in dividends from Topdanmark on 7 April.

Topdanmark’s Board of Directors has decided to postpone payment of the remainder of the dividend for 2019 until the AGM on 25 March 2021. It is still the intention to distribute in part or in full the remaining DKK 8.5 of the previously announced dividend.

Topdanmark’s profit before taxes for January–June 2020 amounted to EUR 38 million (146). During the second quarter of 2020, Topdanmark’s profit before taxes was almost unchanged despite a lower life result.

The combined ratio amounted to 84.2 per cent (79.0). The expense ratio was almost unchanged at 16.7 per cent.

The following text is based on Topdanmark’s Half-year report 2020 report, which was published on 17 July 2020.

During the first half of 2020, Topdanmark’s premiums increased 2.7 per cent in non-life insurance and 20.7 per cent in life insurance. In the private segment, premiums were negatively impacted by the termination of the distribution agreement with Danske Bank at the end of the first half of 2019. From 2021, it is expected that the Nordea agreement will compensate fully for the terminated distribution agreement with Danske Bank in terms of premiums.

During the first half of 2020, Topdanmark’s technical result decreased due to lower run-off, and by a higher level of weather-related claims. During the second quarter, however, the technical result increased.

In the first half of 2020, weather-related claims represented a 1.0 percentage point deterioration of the claims trend. Thereby, the level of weather-related claims was EUR 1 million below the assumed normal level.

The level of large claims represented a 0.1 percentage point deterioration of the claims trend in the first half of 2020.

Topdanmark’s solvency position is described in the section entitled ‘Solvency’.

Further information on Topdanmark A/S and its January – June 2020 results is available at www.topdanmark.com.

NORDEA (associated company)

On 30 June 2020, Sampo plc held 804,922,858 Nordea shares, which corresponds to a holding of 19.87 per cent. The average price paid per share amounted to EUR 6.46 and the book value in the Group accounts was EUR 8.42 per share. The closing price as at 30 June 2020 was EUR 6.15.

The AGM on 28 May 2020 mandated the Board of Directors to decide on a dividend payment of a maximum of EUR 0.40 per share for the financial year 2019 to be distributed in one or several instalments. The Board of Directors intends to follow the recommendation adopted by the ECB and refrain from deciding on a dividend payment based on the authorization before 1 October 2020.

The following text is based on Nordea’s Half-Year Financial Report 2020 published on 17 July 2020.

Nordea reported a solid result with revenues largely unchanged. Net interest income increased by 2 per cent, supported by volume growth, especially in mortgages, in all countries. Operating profit was EUR 306 million − significantly impacted by loan loss provisions.

Nordea estimates total net loan losses for the full year 2020 to be below EUR 1 billion.

In the quarter underlying net loan losses were EUR 310 million. On top of that Nordea has made additional management judgement allowances of EUR 388 million leading to total Q2 net loan losses of EUR 698 million. Nordea now has a management judgement buffer of EUR 650 million in place to cover for future loan losses, IFRS 9 model improvements and the European Central Bank’s new guidance on non-performing loans.

Nordea’s capital position remains very strong with a common equity tier 1 ratio of 15.8 per cent, which is 5.6 percentage points above the requirement.

Sampo’s share of Nordea’s profit before taxes for January–June 2020 amounted to EUR 132 million (222).

Mandatum Life

Mandatum segment’s profit before taxes for January - June 2020 amounted to EUR 39 million (137). The total comprehensive income for the period after tax reflecting the changes in market values of assets decreased to EUR -90 million (190). Return on equity was -13.3 per cent (30.1).

Mandatum Life Group’s premium income amounted to EUR 498 million (529) for the first half of 2020 Unit-linked premiums were EUR 439 million, i.e. 88 per cent of total premiums.

Net investment income, excluding income on unit-linked contracts, decreased to EUR 30 million (203) due to the market turmoil in the first quarter of 2020. In April - June, net investment income, excluding unit-linked contracts, was EUR 53 million.

Net income from unit-linked contracts decreased to EUR -312 million (523). In the second quarter of 2020, net income from unit-linked contracts amounted to EUR 572 million. In January - June of 2020 fair value reserve decreased to EUR 316 million (438).

Mandatum Life Group’s total technical reserves amounted to EUR 11.5 billion (12.0). Unit-linked reserves decreased to EUR 7.8 billion (8.1) at the end of June 2020. The amount corresponds to 67 percent (68) of total technical reserves. Since the end of March 2020, unit-linked reserves increased by almost EUR 600 million.

At the end of June 2020, with-profit reserves decreased to EUR 3.7 billion (3.9). Reserves related to the higher guarantees of 4.5 and 3.5 per cent decreased by EUR 149 million to EUR 2.0 billion in January - June 2020.

Mandatum Life has overall supplemented its technical reserves with a total of EUR 184 million (230) due to low level of interest rates. The figure does not take into account the reserves relating to the segregated fund. The discount rate used for the years 2020 and 2021 is 0.25 per cent. The rate used for 2022 is 1.25 per cent.

The discount rate for segregated liabilities is 0.0 per cent and the discount rate reserve of segregated liabilities amounted to EUR 250 (263) at the end of June 2020.

At the end of June 2020, Mandatum Life’s investment assets, excluding the assets of EUR 7.8 billion (8.1) covering unit-linked liabilities, amounted to EUR 5.3 billion (5.7) at market values.

The expense result in the first half of 2020 amounted to EUR 10 million (7). Risk result was EUR 11 million (10).

Mandatum Life’s solvency position is described in the section Solvency.

Holding 

Profit before taxes for January – June 2020 for the Holding segment amounted to EUR 109 million (258). Sampo’s share of profits for the associated companies Nordea and NDX Intressenter for January – June 2020 amounted to EUR 137 million (226), of which Nordea’s share was EUR 132 million (222) and NDX Intressenter’s share was EUR 5 million (4).

The Holding segment’s profit before taxes, excluding the associates for January – June 2020, was EUR -29 million (31).

Changes in market values of derivative instruments and currency exchange rates can cause volatility in the net investment income and finance cost lines.

Sampo plc’s holding in Nordea was booked in the consolidated balance sheet at EUR 6.8 billion, i.e. EUR 8.42 per share. The market value of the holding was EUR 4.9 billion, i.e. EUR 6.15 per share, on 30 June 2020.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Events after the end of the reporting period

Sampo confirmed on 29 July 2020 after market rumours started to circulate that it is, together with a South-African financial services investment holding company Rand Merchant Investment Holdings Limited (RMI), in discussions with the UK P&C insurance company Hastings Group Holdings Plc (Hastings) regarding a possible cash offer to acquire the issued and to be issued share capital of Hastings not already owned or controlled by Sampo and RMI.

Following the announcement on 29 July 2020, Sampo and RMI have today announced a recommended cash offer, through a newly-formed jointly owned company, to acquire all issued and to be issued shares Hastings not already owned or controlled by Sampo and RMI.

The cash offer price is GBp 250 for each Hastings share, valuing Hastings’ entire issued and to be issued share capital at approximately GBP 1.66 billion or approximately EUR 1.84 billion.

E-Mail-Adresse

Bitte überprüfe deine die E-Mail-Adresse.

Benachrichtigungen von ARIVA.DE
(Mit der Bestellung akzeptierst du die Datenschutzhinweise)

-1

Vielen Dank, dass du dich für unseren Newsletter angemeldet hast. Du erhältst in Kürze eine E-Mail mit einem Aktivierungslink.

Hinweis: ARIVA.DE veröffentlicht in dieser Rubrik Analysen, Kolumnen und Nachrichten aus verschiedenen Quellen. Die ARIVA.DE AG ist nicht verantwortlich für Inhalte, die erkennbar von Dritten in den „News“-Bereich dieser Webseite eingestellt worden sind, und macht sich diese nicht zu Eigen. Diese Inhalte sind insbesondere durch eine entsprechende „von“-Kennzeichnung unterhalb der Artikelüberschrift und/oder durch den Link „Um den vollständigen Artikel zu lesen, klicken Sie bitte hier.“ erkennbar; verantwortlich für diese Inhalte ist allein der genannte Dritte.

Andere Nutzer interessierten sich auch für folgende News

25.04.24 - PR Newswire

Fidelity Emerging Markets Ltd - Transaction in Own Shares

25.04.24 - PR Newswire

BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust Plc - Portfolio Update

25.04.24 - PR Newswire

Samson Rock Capital LLP - Form 8.3 - Network International Holdings Plc