Earnings Release • Oct 6, 2008
Earnings Release
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Data Source: Avenir Suisse, Demographie, CEA 2006
| Market characteristics | Targets | |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss market |
n High market concentration n Saturated, but high profitable market n Increased competition |
n Increase of market share n Encouragement of co-operations and alternative sales channels |
| German market |
n Low market concentration n Relatively low insurance density n Strong growth potential in life |
n Strengthening of market position in target segments n Continuation of above market average growth n Expansion of sales network |
| Italian market |
n High market concentration n Weak market environment n Predominance of bancassurance in life |
n Redefinition of market position n Enforcement of sales power based on recent acquisitions |
| Spanish market |
n Low density / low concentration n Growth potential despite weak economy n Predominance of bancassurance in life |
n Focus new customer segments n Strengthening of sales power n Improve sales efficiency |
| Other | Austria: low density / high concentration France: increased internat. competition Re: increased pricing pressure |
n Strengthen competitive position n Strict profitability targets |
| Systematic integration ensures sustainable increase in value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integration of all administrative units n in «Helvetia Italy» |
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| Integration | Padana: legal integration after three years n |
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| Chiara Vita: will remain independent legal entity n and brand for the time being |
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| Sales | ENI sales structure being set up n (expansion of network) |
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| structure | Exclusive distribution agreement with Banco di Desio n (access to bank sales channels in northern regions) |
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| Product | Life portfolio coordination through simplification and n additions; |
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| range | Expansion of non-life offer to ENI n |
| Strong operating performance |
n Profit for period n Premium growth non-life (direct) n Net combined ratio n Premium growth life n New business profitability n Successful M&A transactions |
CHF 166 mn 2.4% (0.9% in CHF) 91.6% 7.9% (7.6% in CHF) 19% (+3.1%) |
|---|---|---|
| Capital position re mains strong |
n Equity remains stable: -6.4% compared to December 07 n Solid solvency margin: 212% n Interactive rating: A- with stable outlook |
|
| Attractive return on equity |
n RoE after tax: 12.1% (annualised) n Par value reduction on 28 July 2008 CHF 86 mn / 9.90 per share |
Stable profit and capital position
| (CHF million) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 HY | 2007 HY | +/- | |||
| Profit for the period, after taxes | 166.4 | 172.9 | -3.8% | ||
| Gross premiums written | 3'487 | 3'359 | + 3.8% | ||
| Net combined ratio | 91.6% | 102.0% | -10.4%pt | ||
| Return on equity (per annum) |
12.1% | 12.7% | |||
| Group solvency 1) | 212% | 222% | |||
| Investment performance2) (per annum) |
-1.2% | 1.3% |
1) Calculated according to regulations of the lead regulator, the BPV
2) Profit and loss and unrealised gains and losses in % of average invested capital (without unit-linked life insurance)
| Important dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| 17.03.2009 n |
Publication of annual results for 2008 | |
| 17.04.2009 n |
Ordinary Shareholders' Meeting in St.Gallen | |
| 03.09.2009 n |
Publication of half-year financial results for 2009 | |
| 27 |
Helvetia is an all-line insurance carrier active in all of Europe. It focuses on risk management (life and non-life business, reinsurance) and employee benefits, and has branch offices and partly-owned subsidiaries in Central and Southern Europe. The Group is headquartered in St. Gallen, while the Swiss company's headquarters are located in Basel. With approximately 4,600 employees, Helvetia provides services to more than two million customers in six European countries. Around 2,300 people work for the company in Switzerland. During the previous financial year, the Group reported a premium volume of CHF 5.5 billion and earned a net profit of CHF 402.0 million. The Helvetia Holding registered share is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange under the code HELN and is included in the Swiss Performance Index (SPI).
This document was prepared by Helvetia Group and may not be copied, altered, offered, sold or otherwise distributed to anybody by the recipient without the consent of Helvetia Group. Although all reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the facts stated herein are correct and the opinions contained herein are fair and reasonable, this document is selective in nature and is intended to provide an introduction to and overview of the business of Helvetia Group. Where any information and statistics are quoted from any external source, such information or statistics should not be interpreted as having been adopted or endorsed as accurate by Helvetia Group. Neither Helvetia Group nor any of its directors, officers, employees and advisors nor any other person is liable in any way for any loss howsoever arising directly or indirectly from the use of this information. The facts and information contained in this document are as up to date as is reasonably possible and may be subject to revision in the future. Neither Helvetia Group nor any of its directors, officers, employees or advisors nor any other person makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document.
This document may contain projections or other forward-looking statements related to Helvetia Group which by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described or implied in forward-looking statements will not be achieved. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These include (1) changes in general economic conditions, in particular in the markets in which we operate; (2) the performance of financial markets; (3) changes in interest rates; (4) changes in currency exchange rates; (5) changes in laws and regulations, including accounting policies or practices; (6) risks associated with implementing our business strategies; (7) the frequency, magnitude and general development of insured events; (8) the mortality and morbidity rates; (9) policy renewal and lapse rates. We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive; when evaluating forward-looking statements, you should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Helvetia Group on the date of its publication and Helvetia Group assumes no obligation to update such statements unless otherwise required by applicable law.
The purpose of this document is to inform the Helvetia Group's shareholders and the public of the business activities of Helvetia Group. This document does not constitute an offer or a solicitation to exchange, buy or subscribe to securities, nor does it constitute an offering circular as defined by Art. 652 a of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus as defined by the listing rules of the SWX Swiss Exchange. Should Helvetia Group make one or more capital increases in the future, investors should make their decision to buy or subscribe to new shares or other securities solely on the basis of the relevant offering circular.
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