Management Summary: Allianz resilient as natural catastrophe claims rise
Allianz Group reported good results for the third quarter of 2017 after a series of hurricanes, storms and other natural catastrophes drove claims higher. Total revenues rose 2.1 percent compared to the third quarter of 2016 to 28.3 (third quarter of 2016: 27.7) billion euros, mostly due to another strong performance in the Life and Health business segment. Operating profit declined to 2.5 (3.0) billion euros, largely due to 529 million euros losses from natural catastrophes. Operating profit also eased in the business segments Life and Health and Asset Management but remained at an overall high level. Net income attributable to shareholders decreased 17.3 percent to 1.6 (1.9) billion euros, affected by high claims from natural catastrophes and partly offset by lower tax expenses. Excluding the impact of natural catastrophes, the Group reported a strong performance similar to the preceding two quarters of the year.
Basic Earnings per Share (EPS) amounted to 3.53 (4.17) euros. Annualized Return on Equity (RoE) was 12.4 percent (full year 2016: 12.3 percent). The Solvency II capitalization ratio strengthened to 227 percent at the end of the quarter, compared to 219 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2017.
The first nine months of 2017 developed positively with all business segments, contributing to a 2.2 percent increase in total revenues. Operating profit increased by 3.5 percent to 8.3 billion euros, driven by the Life and Health and Asset Management segments. The Property and Casualty business saw a decline in operating profit due to claims from natural catastrophes during the third quarter. Net income attributable to shareholders in the nine-month period grew by 4.9 percent to 5.4 billion euros.
“Third quarter results were robust, given the massive natural catastrophe events that impacted our Property and Casualty segment. It was also very good to see how our experts were able to actively support our customers in these difficult circumstances,” said Oliver Bäte, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz SE. “The group absorbed claims stemming from hurricanes, storms and earthquakes in the quarter and still increased operating earnings in the nine-month period. Our capitalization also strengthened further, as the rising solvency ratio shows. For the year as a whole, Allianz expects to deliver strong financial results with operating profit in the upper half of the target range of 10.8 billion euros, plus or minus 500 million euros.”