Earnings Release • Feb 20, 2019
Earnings Release
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February 20, 2019 - N° 7
During a second consecutive year of elevated natural catastrophe activity, SCOR manages to absorb the volatility and is executing its "Vision in Action" strategic plan. The Group is profitably growing its P&C and Life businesses worldwide while providing a strong solvency position. In line with its consistent capital management process and dividend policy, the Group is proposing a dividend of EUR 1.751 per share for 2018.
1 2018 dividend subject to approval of the shareholders' Annual General Meeting on April 26, 2019.
2 Based on a 5-year rolling average of 5-year risk-free rates.
3 Normalized for nat cat (6% budget cat ratio), reserve release and the impact of the U.S. Tax reform.
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
for the year 2017, a decrease of EUR 301 million from revaluation reserve4, and a decrease of EUR 194 million from the execution of the share buy-back program. This results in a book value per share of EUR 31.53 at December 31, 2018, compared to EUR 33.01 at December 31, 2017.
The Group announces that it has completed the EUR 200 million share buy-back program. Additionally, it has given a one-off bonus to employees in France and awarded performance shares to involve all its employees worldwide in the Group's success6.
The merger of the 3SEs is on track and is expected to be completed in Q1 2019. The solvency capital benefits of this merger are estimated to be around EUR 200 million.
Pursuing its active capital management process and consistent dividend policy, SCOR proposes to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 1.75 per share for 2018, up from EUR 1.65 in 2017, representing a payout ratio of 100%. The dividend will be subject to approval at the shareholders' Annual General Meeting on April 26, 2019.
| YTD | QTD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In EUR millions (rounded, at current exchange rates) |
2018 | 2017 | Variation | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | Variation |
| Gross written premiums | 15,258 | 14,789 | +3.2% | 3,922 | 3,667 | +7.0% |
| Group cost ratio | 5.0% | 5.0% | -0.0 pts | 4.9% | 5.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Annualized ROE | 5.5% | 4.5% | +1.0 pts | -1.3% | 18.3% | -19.6 pts |
| Normalized3 ROE | 9.4% | 10.1% | -0.7 pts | 12.1% | 17.5% | -5.4 pts |
| Net Income | 322 | 286 | +12.6% | -20 | 261 | -107.6% |
| Normalized3 net income* | 564 | 664 | -15.1% | 177 | 250 | - 29.2% |
| Shareholders' equity | 5,828 | 6,225 | -6.4% | 5,828 | 6,225 | -6.4% |
* Consolidated net income, Group share.
6 See press release dated January 29, 2019.
4 Variation of unrealized gains/losses on AFS securities, net of shadow accounting and taxes, see Appendix G of the earnings presentation.
5 Solvency ratio based on Solvency II requirements. The Group solvency final results are to be filed to supervisory authorities by May 2019 and the final Solvency ratio may differ from this estimate.
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
Denis Kessler, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of SCOR, comments: "In 2018 – a year once again marked by a high level of natural catastrophes - SCOR continues to grow: the Group delivers robust growth and solid recurring profitability, and provides a strong solvency position. For the first time the Group has recorded total gross premiums of more than EUR 15 billion. Alongside a robust solvency ratio, we completed a EUR 200 million share buyback program and awarded shares to all our employees worldwide, while avoiding any dilution for our shareholders. Our shareholder return remains attractive, with a proposed strong dividend of EUR 1.75 for 2018. With our financial rating reaffirmed by all four rating agencies, we are now actively preparing the Group's next strategic plan, which will be presented at the beginning of September. As an independent Tier 1 global reinsurer, SCOR will continue to create value and to be the master of its own destiny."
SCOR Global P&C continues to record strong growth with gross written premiums of EUR 6,175 million, +6.7% at constant FX compared to the same period of last year (+2.5% at current FX). This is in line with the "Vision in Action" growth assumption revised in 2018 to a range of 5% to 8%. The growth mainly comes from U.S. Treaty reinsurance and Specialty insurance.
Despite the high level of natural catastrophes, with a combined ratio of less than 100% the P&C division remains in technical profit for the entire year. The 2018 net combined ratio of 99.4% is impacted by:
Additional smaller natural events amounting to a net impact of EUR 130 million.
The 2018 normalized net combined ratio is 94.7%8, below the "Vision in Action" assumption (95%-96%).
7 Reserve release of EUR 60 million in Q3 2018 QTD and EUR 40 million in Q4 2018 QTD, mostly generated from IDI, professional liability in the U.K. and France, and casualty lines.
8 See Appendix E of the 2018 earnings presentation for detailed calculation of the combined ratio.
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
| YTD | QTD | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In EUR millions (rounded, at current exchange rates) |
2018 | 2017 | Variation | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | Variation | |
| Gross written premiums | 6,175 | 6,025 | +2.5% | 1,582 | 1,403 | +12.8% | |
| Net combined ratio | 99.4% | 103.7% | -4.3 pts | 115.9% | 91.6% | +24.3 pts |
SCOR Global Life records steady growth in 2018 with gross written premiums of EUR 9,083 million, up 3.6% at current exchange rates compared to 2017 (+7.3% at constant exchange rates). This growth is mainly driven by:
This steady premium growth is in line with the "Vision in Action" assumption of 5-6% over the cycle. Yearly growth rates can fluctuate due to timing of business occurrence between years.
The net technical results remain strong, at EUR 589 million in 2018 (+7.9% at constant FX).
The technical margin of 7.0% in 2018 is in line with "Vision in Action" assumptions:
SCOR Global Life key figures:
| YTD | QTD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In EUR millions (rounded, at current exchange rates) |
2018 | 2017 | Variation | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | Variation |
| Gross written premiums | 9,083 | 8,764 | +3.6% | 2,340 | 2,264 | +3.4% |
| Life technical margin | 7.0% | 7.1% | -0.1 pts | 7.0% | 7.0% | +0.0 pts |
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
Total investments reach EUR 27.2 billion, with total invested assets of EUR 19.1 billion and funds withheld9 of EUR 8.1 billion.
The portfolio positioning is in line with the "Vision in Action" target asset allocation:
The investment portfolio remains highly liquid, with financial cash flows11 of EUR 5.4 billion expected over the next 24 months.
Investment income on invested assets stands at EUR 532 million in 2018, benefitting from realized gains of EUR 87 million from equity sales in Q4 2018, generating a return on invested assets of 2.8% in 2018.
This performance is supported by an increase in the income yield, which was 2.6% in Q4 2018 QTD and 2.4% in Q4 2018 YTD.
The reinvestment yield continues to remain above the income yield and is 2.9% at the end of Q4 201812.
Under current market conditions, SCOR Global Investments expects a continuing increase of the income yield at ~2.5% for FY 2019. This would translate into an annualized return on invested assets in the 2.7%-3.0% range for FY 2019.
SCOR Global Investments key figures:
| YTD | QTD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In EUR millions (rounded, at current exchange rates) |
2018 | 2017 | Variation | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | Variation |
| Total investments | 27,254 | 27,081 | +0.6% | 27,254 | 27,081 | +0.6% |
| of which total invested assets |
19,153 | 18,580 | +3.1% | 19,153 | 18,580 | +3.1% |
| of which total funds withheld by cedants and other deposits |
8,101 | 8,501 | -4.7% | 8,101 | 8,501 | -4.7% |
| Return on investments* | 2.3% | 2.9% | -0.6 pts | 2.9% | 4.9% | -2.0 pts |
| Return on invested assets** |
2.8% | 3.5% | -0.7 pts | 3.8% | 6.5% | -2.7 pts |
(*) Annualized, including interest on deposits (i.e. interest on funds withheld). (**) Annualized, excluding interest on deposits (i.e. interest on funds withheld).
9 Funds withheld & other deposits.
10 Compared to 4.5 years in Q3 2018 (4.5-year duration on invested assets vs. 4.8 years in Q3 2018).
11 Investable cash: includes current cash balances, and future coupons and redemptions.
12 Corresponds to marginal reinvestment yields based on Q4 2018 asset allocation of asset yielding classes (i.e., fixed income, loans and real estate), according to current reinvestment duration assumptions and spreads, currencies, yield curves as of December 31, 2018.
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
| YTD | QTD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In EUR millions (rounded, at current exchange rates) |
2018 | 2017 | Variation | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | Variation |
| Gross written premiums |
15,258 | 14,789 | +3.2% | 3,922 | 3,667 | +7.0% |
| P&C gross written premiums |
6,175 | 6,025 | +2.5% | 1,582 | 1,403 | +12.8% |
| Life gross written premiums |
9,083 | 8,764 | +3.6% | 2,340 | 2,264 | +3.4% |
| Investment income | 615 | 764 | -19.4% | 190 | 316 | -39.9% |
| Operating results | 658 | 491 | +34.0% | -7 | 394 | -101.7% |
| Net income1 | 322 | 286 | +12.7% | -20 | 261 | -107.6% |
| Earnings per share (EUR) |
1.72 | 1.53 | +12.1% | -0.10 | 1.39 | -107.5% |
| Operating cash flow | 891 | 1,144 | -22.1% | 80 | 473 | -83.1% |
1: Consolidated net income, Group share.
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
| YTD | QTD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2017 | Variation | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | Variation | |
| Return on investments 1 | 2.3% | 2.9% | -0.6 pts | 2.9% | 4.9% | -2.1 pts |
| Return on invested assets 1,2 |
2.8% | 3.5% | -0.7 pts | 3.8% | 6.5% | -2.6 pts |
| P&C net combined ratio 3 |
99.4% | 103.7% | -4.3 pts | 115.9% | 91.6% | +24.3 pts |
| Life technical margin 4 | 7.0% | 7.1% | -0.1 pts | 7.0% | 7.0% | +0.0 pts |
| Group cost ratio 5 | 5.0% | 5.0% | -0.0 pts | 4.9% | 5.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Annualized return on equity (ROE) |
5.5% | 4.5% | +1.0 pts | -1.3% | 18.3% | -19.6 pts |
1. Annualized; 2: Excluding funds withheld by cedants; 3: The net combined ratio is the sum of the total claims, the total commissions and the total P&C management expenses, divided by the net earned premiums of SCOR Global P&C; 4: The technical margin for SCOR Global Life is the technical result divided by the net earned premiums of SCOR Global Life; 5: The cost ratio is the total management expenses divided by the gross written premiums.
| As of December 31, 2018 |
As of December 31, 2017 |
Variation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total investments 1,2 | 27,254 | 27,081 | +0.6% |
| Technical reserves (gross) | 30,253 | 29,006 | +4.3% |
| Shareholders' equity | 5,828 | 6,225 | -6.4% |
| Book value per share (EUR) | 31.53 | 33.01 | -4.5% |
| Financial leverage ratio | 27.5% | 25.7% | +1.8 pts |
| Total liquidity3 | 1,214 | 1,009 | +20.3% |
1: Total investment portfolio includes both invested assets and funds withheld by cedants and other deposits, accrued interest, cat bonds, mortality bonds and FX derivatives; 2: Excluding 3rd party net insurance business investments; 3: Includes cash and cash equivalents.
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
| Targets | |
|---|---|
| Profitability | ROE ≥ 800 bps above 5-year risk-free rate1 |
| Solvency | Solvency ratio in the optimal 185% - 220% range |
1 Based on a 5-year rolling average of 5-year risk-free rates.
| Assumptions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gross written premium growth | 5% p.a. - 8% p.a. | |
| P&C | Combined ratio | 95% - 96% |
| Gross written premium growth | 5% p.a. - 6% p.a. | |
| Life | Technical margin | 6.8% - 7.0% |
| Investments | Return on invested assets | 2.5% - 3.2% |
| Gross written premium growth | 5% p.a. - 7% p.a. | |
| Group | Cost ratio | 4.9% - 5.1% |
| Tax rate | 22% - 24% |
* * *
Contact details Marie-Laurence Bouchon Group Head of Communications +33 (0)1 58 44 75 43 [email protected]
Ian Kelly Head of Investor Relations +44 (0)203 207 8561 [email protected]
LinkedIn: SCOR | Twitter: @SCOR\_SE
February 20, 2019 - N° 7
Numbers presented throughout this earnings release may not add up precisely to the totals in the tables and text. Percentages and percent changes are calculated on complete figures (including decimals); therefore the earnings release might contain immaterial differences in sums and percentages due to rounding.
Unless otherwise specified, the sources for the business ranking and market positions are internal.
This earnings release includes forward-looking statements and information about the objectives of SCOR, in particular, relating to its current or future projects. These statements are sometimes identified by the use of the future tense or conditional mode, as well as terms such as "estimate", "believe", "have the objective of", "intend to", "expect", "result in", "should" and other similar expressions. It should be noted that the achievement of these objectives and forward-looking statements is dependent on the circumstances and facts that arise in the future. Forward-looking statements and information about objectives may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may significantly alter the future results, performance and accomplishments planned or expected by SCOR. Information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect SCOR's business is set forth in the 2017 reference document filed on February 23, 2018 under number D.18-0072 with the French Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and posted on SCOR's website www.scor.com, as may be updated in the 2018 reference document.
In addition, such forward-looking statements are not "profit forecasts" in the sense of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) 809/2004.
The Group's financial information contained in this earnings release is prepared on the basis of IFRS and interpretations issued and approved by the European Union.
Unless otherwise specified, prior-year balance sheet, income statement items and ratios have not been reclassified.
The calculation of financial ratios (such as book value per share, return on investments, return on invested assets, Group cost ratio, return on equity, combined ratio and life technical margin) are detailed in the Appendices of the 2018 earnings presentation.
The financial results for the full year 2018 included in this earnings release have been audited by SCOR's independent auditors.
Unless otherwise specified, all figures are presented in Euros.
Any figures for a period subsequent to December 31, 2018, should not be taken as a forecast of the expected financials for these periods.
The Group solvency final results are to be filed to supervisory authorities by May 2019 and may differ from the estimates expressed or implied in this report.
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