AI assistant
Storebrand ASA — Earnings Release 2014
May 7, 2014
3766_rns_2014-05-07_34d0e210-8425-4e08-8933-55192487bb12.html
Earnings Release
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer
Storebrand ASA 1st quarter 2014: Strong result and good returns to customers
Storebrand ASA 1st quarter 2014: Strong result and good returns to customers
· Group result of NOK 728 million in first quarter
· Premium growth of 16 per cent in non-guaranteed occupational
pensions
· NOK 1.9 billion available for long life expectancy during the
quarter
The Board of Director's Interim report for Q1 2014, Q1 2014 result
presentation and Supplementary Information Q1 2014 are attached on
http://www.newsweb.no
Storebrand will today host a press and analyst conference in Storebrands
head office at Lysaker, Professor Kohts vei 9, at 10:00 CET (in
Norwegian). An international conference call will be hosted at 14:00
CET. To participate in the conference call please use link on
http://www.storebrand.no/ir, or call in and register 10 minutes before
the presentation starts. Dial in number: 21 56 33 18 from Norway and +44
20 3003 2666 for international participants.
Full press release:
1st quarter 2014: Strong result and good returns to customers
· Group result of NOK 728 million in first quarter
· Premium growth of 16 per cent in non-guaranteed occupational
pensions
· NOK 1.9 billion available for long life expectancy during the
quarter
The Group result before amortisation was NOK 728 million (NOK 554
million) for the first quarter of 2014. Figures in brackets show the
trend in the corresponding period last year.
- We deliver a strong result driven by growth within unit linked-based
pension and savings, good risk results and sound cost control, says
Group CEO Odd Arild Grefstad.
The result within unit linked-based savings and pension is significantly
strengthened during the first quarter, compared to the same period in
2013. The main reasons for this are earnings growth in all parts of the
business and cost-reduction measures.
The insurance results are strong, with a combined ratio of 80 per cent
(92 per cent) in the quarter. The development in the risk result is
positive, and the results have been strengthened by the introduction of
a new mortality tariff and certain reserve releases.
Efficiency and other cost cut measures are successful, resulting in a
decrease in overall nominal cost by 5.4 percent this quarter.
Growth in unit linked and good customer returns
The shift from products with interest rate guarantees to unit linked
products continues. Storebrand is maintaining its role as the market
leader in defined contribution pensions in Norway and have a strong
challenger role in Sweden.
The Group's premium income for non-guaranteed occupational pensions
increased by 16 per cent during the quarter. At the same time, the
Group's premium income for guaranteed pension products has declined by 8
per cent so far this year.
For many retail customers, a transfer from guaranteed pension products
to unit linked-based products will give them higher expected pensions.
For companies, the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution is
driven by the need for more predictable costs.
- It is a pleasure to deliver solid returns to our customers this
quarter. The Norwegian defined contribution customers with the most
common investment profile with a 50 per cent equity exposure received a
return of 13 per cent during the last 12 months. Close to 1bn in surplus
return above indexes are created for our customers this quarter, says
Group CEO Grefstad.
In addition to good returns to the customers with a defined-contribution
pension plan, the majority of the mutual funds, fund-in-funds and all
fixed income funds have outperformed the market the last year.
- Storebrand is a leader within sustainable investments. We follow the
developments and challenges in society closely and identify the
companies that successfully adapt to these developments. This
information affects our investments and is the best insurance we can
give our customers for a better pension with good and long-term returns,
says Grefstad.
Longevity reserve strengthening ahead of schedule
On April 2, 2014, the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway
published its final guidelines for escalation plans connected to build
-up of reserves for increased life expectancy (see stock exchange
release from Storebrand on April 3, 2014, for details). Storebrand has
applied to the Financial Supervisory Authority for a 7 year build-up
period.
Storebrand needs to build reserves of NOK 12.4 billion. In total, NOK
4.1 billion was allocated in 2013 for building future reserves at the
end of 2013. Good booked return in combination with a good risk result
this quarter comprises a total of NOK 1.8 billion, where the majority
will be available as longevity reserves. Reserve strengthening has
affected the result directly by negative NOK 90 million this quarter and
NOK 149 million indirectly through foregone profit sharing.
- To sum up, we deliver a strong quarterly result. Our customers receive
solid returns and our build-up of reserves for longevity is ahead of
plan, says Group CEO Grefstad.
Lysaker, May 7, 2014.
Contact persons:
Communications Director Elin M. Myrmel-Johansen: Mobile (+47) 93 48 05
38
Head of Investor Relations Trond Finn Eriksen: Mobile (+47) 99 16 41 35
Storebrand's ambition is to be the best provider of pension savings. The
group offers a broad range of products within life insurance, property
and casualty insurance, asset management and banking, to companies,
public sector entities and private individuals. The group is divided
into the segments Savings, Insurance and Guaranteed pension and Other.
This information is subject to disclosure under the Norwegian Securities
Act section §5-12.