"A good first half"
| H1 2016 | H1 2015 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross premiums written | £1,288.5m | £1,096.3m |
| Net premiums earned | £767.5m | £709.8m |
| Profit before tax | £206.0m | £135.1m |
| Earnings per share | 70.4p | 43.7p |
| Interim dividend per share | 8.5p | 8.0p |
| Tangible net asset value per share | 545.3p | 462.8p |
| Group combined ratio | 80.7% | 82.5% |
| Return on equity (annualised) | 28.3% | 19.9% |
| Investment return (annualised) | 2.3% | 1.8% |
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | £87.3m | £(15.7)m |
Highlights
- Hiscox Retail continues to perform well, and was the biggest contributor to profit in the first half.
- Hiscox USA delivered growth of 32.8% in local currency.
- Hiscox London Market grew by 9.7% in local currency, benefiting from new classes of business and expertise in niche areas.
- Hiscox Re delivered another strong performance, due to good risk selection, new products and income from our ILS business.
- Profit before tax excluding foreign exchange gain or loss £118.7 million (2015: £150.8 million).
Bronek Masojada, Chief Executive Officer, Hiscox Ltd, commented:
"Our retail businesses continue to grow in strength and profitability. Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re have been disciplined in tough markets. Brexit has caused volatility and Sterling weakness, resulting in a foreign exchange gain which has benefited the bottom line. As this good result illustrates, our strategy, our people and our brand can deliver opportunities."
ENDS
Contacts:
| Hiscox | |
| Jeremy Pinchin, Company Secretary, Bermuda Kylie O'Connor, Head of Communications, London |
+1 441 278 8300 +44 (0) 20 7448 6656 |
| Brunswick | |
| Tom Burns | +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 |
| Simone Selzer | +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 |
Notes to editors
About The Hiscox Group
Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). Our ambition is to be a respected specialist insurer with a diverse portfolio by product and geography. We believe that building balance between catastrophe-exposed business and less volatile local specialty business gives us opportunities for profitable growth throughout the insurance cycle. It’s a long-standing strategy which in 2015 helped generate gross premiums written of £1,944.2 million and a profit before tax of £216.1 million.
The Hiscox Group employs over 2,200 people in 14 countries, and has customers worldwide. Through the retail businesses in the UK, Europe and the US, we offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers as well as homeowners. Internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance is underwritten through Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re.
Our values define our business, with a focus on people, quality, courage and excellence in execution. We pride ourselves on being true to our word and our award-winning claims service is testament to that. For more information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com.
Chairman's statement
It has been a good half year, with the Group delivering a pre-tax profit of £206.0 million (2015: £135.1 million) and growing gross written premium by 17.5% to £1,288.5 million (2015: £1,096.3 million). This result is flattered by the impact of significant currency movements. Our underlying combined ratio has deteriorated reflecting a very tough trading environment. Our strategy of building retail businesses to offset the volatility of internationally traded lines continues to be effective, with Hiscox Retail the biggest contributor to profit in the first half. Although the year has started well, we remain cautious as we are on the cusp of the hurricane season.
Results
The half year result to 30 June 2016 was a pre-tax profit of £206.0 million (2015: £135.1 million), £118.7 million excluding foreign exchange gains/losses (2015: £150.8 million). Gross written premiums increased to £1,288.5 million (2015: £1,096.3 million) or 13.0% growth in local currencies. Net earned premiums were £767.5 million (2015: £709.8 million). The impact of foreign exchange was a profit of £87.3 million (2015: loss of £15.7 million). The net combined ratio was 80.7% (2015: 82.5%), excluding foreign exchange gains/losses 88.4% (2015: 80.3%). Earnings per share were 70.4p (2015: 43.7p) and net tangible assets per share grew to 545.3p (2015: 462.8p). The annualised return on equity was 28.3% (2015: 19.9%).
Dividend, balance sheet and capital management
The Board of Hiscox Ltd has declared an interim dividend for 2016 of 8.5p per share (2015: 8.0p) an increase of 6.3%. The record date for the dividend will be 5 August and the payment date will be 9 September.
The Board proposes to offer a scrip dividend alternative subject to the terms and conditions of Hiscox Ltd's 2016 Scrip Dividend Scheme. The last date for receipt of scrip elections will be 12 August and the reference price will be announced on 22 August. Details of how to elect are provided on the Company’s website.
During the period the Group paid a second interim dividend of 32p per share (comprising a final dividend equivalent of 16p and an additional return of capital of 16p). Net asset value per share has increased by 8.6% from the year end.
As we have previously said, while the Group continues to maintain a progressive regular dividend policy, returning capital to shareholders is not a long-term strategy and going forward the focus will be on pursuing opportunities for profitable growth.
Leaving the European Union
There is a great deal of uncertainty about what is going to happen now the UK has voted to leave the European Union. We are preparing for a range of outcomes, depending on whether we remain in the single market or need to navigate new trading arrangements.
We believe this represents a structural rather than strategic challenge for the Group. Hiscox has always had an international view and Hiscox Europe is well-established. Excluding the UK, we employ 355 people in Europe and, generate gross written premiums of £260 million in the EU. Both are very important to us. Over the coming months and years we will work to understand future trading arrangements, and if necessary set up a new EU-based insurance company.
Traditionally, market dislocation has provided opportunity for those who are fleet of foot. We are a global business, with carriers in key markets that can take advantage of the changing environment. In time this may give us opportunities, for example supporting small MGAs by giving their clients access to the London Market.
Rates
Overall trading conditions remain tough with rating pressure affecting most markets. Where well-rated business is harder to find, we are happy to shrink where we deem it necessary.
In our retail businesses rates in casualty are flat to softening but are slightly up in personal lines.
In specialty lines such as kidnap and ransom and contingency, we are seeing fierce competition. However we benefit from market-leading positions, excellent underwriting expertise and long-term relationships. We are also committed to finding new ways to reach new markets.
Conditions are most challenging in the London Market. Aviation, energy and big ticket property business has experienced rate pressure for some time and that contagion is now spreading to other lines. We still see good opportunities in our binding authority business (US small ticket household and commercial property), although rates here are also softening.
Hiscox Re has reported rate reductions for some years but there are signs of this slowing at the important 1 June and 1 July renewals.
Hiscox Retail
The Hiscox Retail segment comprises Hiscox UK and Europe, and Hiscox International.
| Gross written premiums | £581.1 million (2015: £510.5 million) |
| Profit before tax | £92.3 million (2015: £61.6 million) |
| Profit before tax excluding FX gains/losses | £68.2 million (2015: £73.5 million) |
| Combined ratio | 84.1% (2015: 88.7%) |
Hiscox UK and Europe
This division provides personal lines cover – from high-value household, fine art and collectibles to luxury motor – and commercial insurance for small and medium-sized businesses, typically operating in white collar industries. These products are distributed via brokers and through a growing network of partnerships. For some simple risks we distribute policies direct-to-consumer in the UK, France and Germany.
| Gross written premiums | £345.6 million (2015: £316.3 million) |
| Profit before tax | £65.2 million (2015: £45.8 million) |
| Profit before tax excluding FX gains/losses | £47.5 million (2015: £56.4 million) |
| Combined ratio | 79.9% (2015: 86.8%) |
Hiscox UK and Europe delivered another good result despite challenging trading conditions. We are pleased to have grown by 9.3% and to have achieved a combined ratio that is better than our target range of 90-95%. It was another relatively quiet period for claims and a focus on finding efficiencies through updated IT infrastructure and new e-trading solutions is paying off.
Hiscox UK and Ireland
Gross written premium grew by 9.3% to £244.4 million (2015: £223.6 million). Growth was driven by professions and specialty commercial lines in our broker channel where we have expanded our appetite for larger risks. Our direct-to-consumer home business also performed well, benefiting from our new IT system’s ability to tailor pricing. Our market-leading position in media, entertainment and events, and specialised claims handling team, continue to set us apart, achieving double-digit growth in the period.
Product innovation remains critical and helps to differentiate us in these markets. In high net worth home, we launched a new renovation and extension product designed to provide homeowners with additional protection when undertaking sizable building works. Hiscox Trader – our e-trading solution for commercial brokers – has also helped us make efficiencies to the way we quote and process small risks. In time we expect to add to the six products already on the system.
We were the first insurer to cede risks into Flood Re, much to the credit of our UK underwriting and operational teams, and we are already benefiting from the access this gives us to new customers.
There have been a number of claims but our exposure remains small. This includes the storms that battered parts of the UK in June.
Hiscox Europe
Gross written premiums in local currency grew by 7.5% to €132.6 million (2015: €123.3 million) and by 9.2% to £101.2 million (2015: £92.7 million) in Sterling. Growth was mainly driven by commercial lines business in Germany and Spain.
Our German operations are doing very well. Here, core homeowner and small business products continue to deliver, while a new focus on classic cars, the expansion of our cyber business, and new products launched for online shops and IT freelancers all help to differentiate us.
In France, income was reduced by the cancellation of an unprofitable home surveyors’ scheme. In Spain, all lines are growing, with a particularly good performance in professional indemnity and directors and officers’ business.
We had minimal exposure to Storm Elvira and our European operations continue to benefit from low loss levels.
Hiscox International
This division comprises Hiscox Special Risks, Hiscox USA and DirectAsia.
| Gross written premiums | £235.5 million (2015: £194.2 million) |
| Profit before tax | £27.1 million (2015: £15.8 million) |
| Profit before tax excluding FX gains/losses | £20.7 million (2015: £17.2 million) |
| Combined ratio | 89.7% (2015: 92.1%) |
Hiscox Special Risks
Hiscox Special Risks underwrites kidnap and ransom, security risks, personal accident, classic car, jewellery and fine art risks. Hiscox Special Risks has teams in London, Guernsey, Cologne, Munich, Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
This business delivered gross written premiums of £44.9 million (2015: £53.7 million). Conditions continue to be highly competitive; with contraction in oil and mining, and consolidation in other markets affecting premium as business travel to high risk areas decreases. Despite the drop in income, profitability remains good due to careful underwriting and effective expense management. The team is also exploring new markets and products, and new ways to distribute their valuable expertise.
It has been another benign period for claims.
Hiscox USA
Hiscox USA underwrites small-to-mid market commercial risks through brokers, other insurers and directly to businesses online and over the telephone.
Hiscox USA continues to be a major area of opportunity within the Group and has achieved strong growth year-on-year, increasing gross written premiums by 40% to £183.4 million (2015: £131.0 million), or 32.8% in local currency. All product lines contributed, and the performance of our direct and partnerships division continues to be particularly strong with customer numbers now over 110,000.
As experienced across a number of our divisions, conditions in bigger ticket business such as commercial property and terrorism remain competitive, and though we continue to actively seek out profitable opportunities we remain disciplined in these areas.
We expanded our cyber offering with Hiscox CyberClear, a product aimed at US small and medium-sized enterprises with less than $1 billion in annual revenue. This complements our existing offering for larger businesses and, combined, these products are doing very well – giving us profitable opportunities in a growing market.
The US has embarked on a project to replace its core IT system which will allow us to grow and achieve efficiencies over time.
Claims for the period have been in line with expectations.
DirectAsia
DirectAsia is a direct-to-consumer business in Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand that sells predominantly motor insurance. Hiscox acquired the business in April 2014.
DirectAsia achieved gross written premiums of £7.2 million (2015: £9.5 million) as the team navigates its way through competitive markets in Singapore. As a relatively new brand in Thailand, our marketing efforts are driving growth and we hope to capitalise on this good performance.
In March we announced the sale of the Hong Kong division, with IT separation on track and regulatory approval pending. This will allow us to focus on our core Singapore and Thailand markets, where we see greater potential.
Hiscox London Market
This segment uses the global licences, distribution network and credit rating available through Lloyd’s to insure clients throughout the world.
| Gross written premiums | £342.7 million (2015: £298.1 million) |
| Profit before tax | £37.1 million (2015: £21.2 million) |
| Profit before tax excluding FX gains/losses | £19.9 million (2015: £24.8 million) |
| Combined ratio | 85.3% (2015: 90.6%) |
Premium income grew by 15.0% to £342.7 million (2015: £298.1 million). Our newer classes of business (flood, cargo, product recall and US general liability) are performing well. Along with personal accident, these lines are offsetting reductions in some of the more challenged areas such as marine and energy, aviation and big-ticket property.
The specialist automotive and equipment business we write through WhiteOak has been an important contributor to growth in the past. We are increasing rates in some areas and being selective in others as conditions demand.
Our leadership position in US general liability and directors and officers’ business boosts the expertise in the market, helping to attract new business into London. During the period we also launched our Cyber Threat Protect product which aims to simplify cyber cover for clients and has been well received.
Hiscox MGA continues to develop, establishing a presence in Paris that will give us greater access to the Mediterranean yacht market. In Miami, the property and terrorism businesses are developing well and we are exploring opportunities to extend our casualty offering in Latin America.
Our London Market business has experienced a number of claims. Notable losses include the Alberta wildfires, Houston floods, and earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador which result in a combined £9.1 million net loss. We also have some exposure to the Jubilee Oil Field claim, reported to be the largest energy market claim since Deepwater Horizon, this and other large losses are reserved at £16.1 million.
Hiscox London Market was awarded Insurance Team of the Year at Reactions London Market Awards 2016, in recognition of the work of our cyber and liability teams, as well as Marketing Team of the Year.
Hiscox Re
The Hiscox Re segment comprises the Group’s reinsurance businesses in London, Paris and Bermuda, Insurance Linked Security (ILS) activity and Bermuda healthcare business.
| Gross written premiums | £364.7 million (2015: £287.8 million) |
| Profit before tax | £54.6 million (2015: £59.6 million) |
| Profit before tax excluding FX gains/losses | £41.8 million (2015: £59.4 million) |
| Combined ratio | 56.0% (2015: 45.5%) |
Gross written premiums for Hiscox Re were £364.7 million (2015: £287.8 million), an increase of 20.6% in local currency, the result of new product successes and business written under Kiskadee.
Hiscox Re experienced less aggressive rate reductions at the important 1 June and 1 July renewals, and benefited from opportunities to write well-rated business at the June Florida renewals as well as growth in our key client partnerships.
Kiskadee Investment Managers’ assets under management have now reached US$1 billion.
Hiscox Re had limited exposure to the natural catastrophes listed earlier. The net impact of these losses is £5.4 million. Other large losses are being reserved at net £7.0 million.
Investments
The investment performance for the first six months of the year has exceeded our expectations largely due to the gains in bond portfolios following events in the last week of June. The investment result before derivatives was £42.0 million (2015: £27.9 million), 2.3% on an annualised basis (2015: 1.8%). Following the £91 million return of capital to shareholders in April, assets under management at 30 June 2016 were £3,946 million (2015: £3,032 million) boosted by positive cashflow and the impact of sterling weakness.
After a volatile start to the year a degree of calm returned to investment markets in the second quarter until the unexpected outcome of the UK referendum. The immediate response was a marked decline in bond yields, a dramatic sector rotation in equity markets and a sharp sell off in Sterling. As a result our bond portfolios have generated stronger returns than we anticipated at the beginning of the year. The risk assets however recorded a small decline in value as investors switched rapidly out of sectors that have performed well for us in recent years in favour of those such as oil, mining and consumer staples where many of the funds we invest in have been underweight.
Bond investors have clearly concluded in the short-term that the Brexit vote will herald a period of low growth in developed economies. The prospect of a rise in US interest rates this year has now all but disappeared whilst the Bank of England is expected to provide further stimulus by cutting official rates and possibly resuming quantitative easing. In Europe the stock of bonds with negative yields has got larger and more negative. Modest but positive returns from our bond portfolios therefore remains our objective. We take a long-term view with our allocation to risk assets which represent 6.9% of the portfolio. Despite the uncertainty increasing following the referendum result, we continue to advocate low risk over no risk with the corresponding return assumptions.
Outlook
As previously announced, in September we will welcome Aki Hussain as our new Group Chief Financial Officer. Aki will be an excellent addition to our senior team, bringing extensive financial services experience, strong regulatory exposure, and a fresh perspective. I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Worth, our interim CFO, for his great contribution over the last twelve months.
The speed of change in the UK political landscape over the last few weeks has been dizzying. We see the demand for insurance undiminished and our ability to meet our clients’ needs unimpaired. We’ve been operating on the continent for over 20 years, and we plan to grow and prosper along with our customer and business partners. We may have to restructure to face European competition but we have time, resource and appetite for the change.
The balance and diversity of our business has long been a key driver of the Group’s profitability. Our retail operations in the UK, Europe, US and Asia have plenty of room for profitable growth, and in our big-ticket internationally-traded business we will continue to find new opportunities where others find the conditions more challenging.
Robert Childs
25 July 2016
Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader.
All press releases
