Preliminary Results

FBD Holdings PLC 07 March 2007 FBD HOLDINGS PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2006 2005 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS €000s €000s % •Gross written premiums 407,256 389,472 +4.6% •Net earned premiums 345,959 332,371 +4.1% •Operating profit* 158,515 162,624 -2.5% •Profit on sale of land at La 81,774 - n/a Cala Cent Cent •Operating earnings per share* 376.60 363.54 +3.6% •Dividend per share 69.00 57.50 +20.0% •Special dividend per share (paid) - La Cala 160.00 - n/a land sale •Net assets per share 1,424.76 1,250.62 +13.9% * Based on longer term investment return. Commenting on the results, Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive said: 'We are pleased to announce another year of excellent results for 2006. During the year we continued to grow new business volumes and Premium Income while further reducing premiums. Sustainable and competitive pricing combined with good service levels supported expansion of our customer base. Continued premium reductions impacted the underwriting result, increasing the combined ratio to 77.9 per cent. Ongoing savings from national initiatives in road safety and claims costs are essential to enable further premium reductions. ' ENDS 7th March 2007 For Reference Telephone --------------- ----------- FBD Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive 01 4093200 Andrew Langford, Finance Director 01 4093200 Murray Consultants Joe Murray 01 4980300 FBD HOLDINGS PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT FBD Holdings plc ('FBD' or 'the Group') is pleased to announce excellent results for the year ended 31st December 2006. RESULTS Group operating profit amounted to €158.5m., compared to €162.6m. in 2005. Total operating income grew to €427.9m (2005: €404.5m). It is comprised of net earned premiums of €346.0m (2005: €332.4m) and investment income (calculated on the basis of longer term returns) of €48.0m (2005: €44.4m) arising in the Group's insurance underwriting business plus net income (i.e after expenses) of €33.9m (2005: €27.7m) from the Group's non-underwriting activities. Expenses amounting to €269.4m. (2005: €241.9m) related to the Group's underwriting business. They comprise claim costs of €224.7m (2005: €202.5m.) and operating expenses of €44.7m. (2005: €39.4m). Of the Group's operating profit of €158.5m, €124.6m (2005: €134.9m) is attributable to underwriting and €33.9m (2005: €27.7m) to non-underwriting, as detailed below. Operating earnings per share, based on longer term investment returns amounted to 376.60c (2005: 363.54c) Group profit before tax reflects the operating profit of €158.5m (2005: €162.6m), profit on the sale of land at La Cala of €81.8m (2005: no comparative), short-term fluctuations in investment returns of €61.4m (2005: €26.0m) and finance costs of €4.9m (2005: €3.4m). UNDERWRITING Insurance underwriting (FBD Insurance) is the Group's primary business activity. Gross written premiums (i.e. before reinsurance) increased to €407.3m., compared to €389.5m. in 2005. In the light of the reductions in average premium levels that prevailed in the market in 2006, this increase is satisfactory and reflects continued growth in customer numbers in the period. Net earned premiums amounted to €346.0m. (2005: €332.4m). The net claims incurred charge, amounted to €224.7m. (2005: €202.5m). comprised of net claims paid of €193.6m. (2005: €163.7m.) plus the movement in net outstanding claims provisions of €31.1m (2005: €38.8m). Increased exposures due to the increase in customer numbers together with less benign weather conditions than those experienced in 2005 contributed to the increase. Net operating expenses amounted to € 44.7m. (2005: €39.4m). The foregoing premium/claim/expenses figures resulted in an underwriting profit of €76.6m. (2005: €90.5m.). The 2006 net operating ratios were: loss ratio - 65.0% (2005: 60.9%); expense ratio - 12.9% (2005: 11.9%); combined ratio - 77.9% (2005: 72.8%). After crediting investment income of €48.0m. (2005: €44.4m), the operating profit of FBD's underwriting business amounted to €124.6m. (2005: €134.9m). NON-UNDERWRITING The Group's non-underwriting activities include leisure/property development, financial services and the investment of non-allocated capital ('capital fund'). The contribution to operating profit from these activities amounted to €33.9m. (2005: €27.7m.) Leisure and property interests, which include the La Cala and Sunset Beach resorts in Spain and the Tower Hotel Group in Ireland, contributed €10.1m (2005: €13.6m.) to operating profits. The 2005 comparative figure included fees arising on completion of a property related loan. As noted earlier, the profit of €81.8m achieved on the Tranche 1 portion of land sold at La Cala contributed significantly to the Group's pre-tax profits. La Cala's golf and hotel results improved and residential property sales of 38 units were achieved. The Sunset Beach Resort and Tower Hotels Group's results were ahead of 2005. The Group's financial service businesses, which include general insurance broking (FBD Brokers), life assurance/pension broking/investment advice (FBD Life) and instalment finance (Abbey Finance) contributed €4.3m. (2005: €3.3m.) to operating profits. FBD Life maximised the opportunities for growth in the favourable climate that has existed in its markets, particularly for retail investment products. Meanwhile, FBD Brokers continued to be impacted by ongoing reductions in premium levels. The capital fund, which is invested in 'blue chip' equities delivered strong returns which amounted to €19.5m. (2005: €10.8m.) BALANCE SHEET Total assets at year end amounted to €1,686.6m (2005: €1,564.4m), an increase of 7.8% on 2005. Ordinary shareholders' funds amounted to €497.5m (2005: €476.1m), an increase of 4.5% for the year. The strong operating performance, the profit on the sale of land at La Cala and the performance of our equity portfolio contributed to the increase. Included in short term fluctuations in investment returns is a gain of €33.7m in respect of the disposal of 'available for sale investments'. Shareholders' funds at 31st December 2005 included €27.0m of this gain. The share buyback, amounting to €129.0m undertaken by the Company in June 2006 and the La Cala special dividend of €55.0m impacted the year end shareholders' funds' figure. Net Assets per share have grown to 1,424.76c (2005: 1,250.62c), an increase of 13.9%. The buyback and cancellation of shares, already mentioned, contributed to this increase. FINAL DIVIDEND Reflecting the Group's excellent results and the Board's commitment to increase the dividend to earnings ratio, a final dividend of 45.0c (2005: 37.5c) per share is being recommended by the Directors. This will bring the total dividend for the year to 69.0c (2005: 57.5c) an increase of 20%. The final dividend will be paid on the 25th May 2007 to shareholders on the Company's Register at close of business on 16th March 2007. The final dividend is subject to withholding tax ('DWT') except for shareholders who are exempt from DWT and who have furnished a properly completed Composite Resident Form to the Company's Registrar. OUTLOOK The Board is confident that the Group will continue its successful development in the year ahead. Underwriting: Year to date, the trend of premium reductions which has been a feature of the Irish insurance market in recent years has continued, with intense price competition occurring across all classes of business. We will continue to target challenging new business volumes at premium levels we deem to be appropriate and are pleased to report that, year to date, premium income is ahead of last year's corresponding figure. The insurance environment experienced in Ireland in recent years is the result of unique factors. These include fraudulent claim prevention measures that were introduced, road safety initiatives (e.g. random breath testing, better law enforcement, extension of penalty points), health and safety measures in the workplace/home and the establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board ('PIAB'). The assumptions which each individual insurer makes as to the ongoing impact these matters will have on future claims costs, influences its pricing decisions. Unless further ongoing savings from these and other initiatives are achieved, the pace of premium reductions will advance the convergence of Irish & European combined ratios. FBD is exercising its own judgements in this environment and will continue to focus on strategies and plans that are designed to grow our underwriting business on the basis of efficiency, sustainability and profitability. These are the critical measures we apply in pursuing our growth objectives. Our approach for growing our business in the prevailing market is built around these key performance criteria. Our ongoing investment in people, technology and facilities underpins our growth plans. This investment commitment is evidenced by the recent establishment of our new Business Support Centre in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The new Centre, which has a start-up complement of 50 new staff, will increase the capacity of our network and play an important role in enabling us to deliver on our business development plans. Non-Underwriting: As regards our non-underwriting businesses, we will continue to effect strategies that are focused on maximising returns to shareholders. Our property, leisure and financial service interests face challenges and opportunities that are unique to their individual sectors. Each of these businesses are pursuing ambitious plans to ensure success and we are confident that they will perform to expectations. Regarding La Cala, the decision last year to dispose of development land at the resort, at significant profit, confirms the ongoing commercial assessment the Group undertakes in relation to all its businesses and the focus it maintains on optimising shareholders' interests. As investors are aware, a special dividend, amounting to €55m in total, was paid in August 2006 in respect of Tranche 1 land net proceeds. Payment for the second Tranche of land awaits final approval from the Regional Planning Authority. As previously advised, due to delays being experienced in this process, final approval is unlikely to be received before year end. A distribution of the remaining net sale proceeds, estimated at €65m, will be made when payment of final monies, triggered by the planning approval, is received. As regards La Cala's ongoing activities, we expect golf and hotel performance and residential property sales to deliver their budgets for the year. Likewise, we are optimistic that Sunset Beach Resort and Tower Hotel Group will achieve their profit targets. Our financial services businesses have commenced the year well and we are confident that they will deliver satisfactory performances. Capital: Capital efficiency is a fundamental principle which the Group applies in all its businesses. The Company has repatriated €265m of capital to shareholders, in addition to significantly increased ordinary dividend payments, over the past 2 years. The utilisation of capital generated for the maximum benefit of shareholders will continue to be determined in the context of the development strategies which the Group pursues. It is a matter to which the Board gives ongoing attention. Meanwhile, shareholders' funds will continue to be invested prudently. ENDS Note Management will present these results to analysts at 10 am. to-day. A copy of the presentation will be posted on the Group's website, www.fbd.ie, at that time. FBD HOLDINGS PLC GROUP INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2006 2005 €000s €000s Turnover 693,926 531,747 ====== ====== Income Net premium earned 345,959 332,371 Non-underwriting 33,919 27,739 operating income Investment income - longer term rate of return 48,054 44,435 ------------ ------------ 427,932 404,545 Expenses Change in insurance liabilities net of (31,064) (38,809) reinsurance Claims paid, net of recoveries from (193,648) (163,666) reinsurers Operating expenses (44,705) (39,446) ------------ ------------ Operating profit Note 1 158,515 162,624 Profit on the sale of Note 3 81,774 - land at La Cala Investment income - 61,350 25,956 short term fluctuation Finance costs (4,859) (3,425) ------------ ------------ Profit before tax 296,780 185,155 Income tax expense (49,948) (23,701) ------------ ------------ Profit for the year 246,832 161,454 ====== ====== Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent 246,641 161,500 Minority interest 191 (46) ------------ ------------ 246,832 161,454 ====== ====== 2006 2005 Cent Cent Earnings per 60c 678.82 416.09 ordinary share ====== ====== Diluted earnings per 60c 671.28 411.45 ordinary share ====== ====== FBD HOLDINGS PLC GROUP BALANCE SHEET - ASSETS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2006 2005 €000s €000s Property and equipment Land and buildings 213,564 196,923 Fixtures and fittings 16,815 13,302 ------------- ------------- 230,379 210,225 ------------- ------------- Intangible assets Deferred acquisition costs 13,517 11,849 ------------- ------------- Investments Investment property 81,181 48,856 Investments held for trading 558,850 477,310 Available for sale investments 3,727 47,290 Investments held to maturity 171,799 13,740 Deposits with banks 327,973 443,042 ------------- ------------- 1,143,530 1,030,238 ------------- ------------- Inventories 66,433 62,496 ------------- ------------- Loans and receivables 122,762 141,673 ------------- ------------- Reinsurers' share of technical provisions Provision for unearned premiums 21,953 19,412 Claims outstanding 50,600 46,622 ------------- ------------ 72,553 66,034 ------------- ------------ Cash and cash equivalents 37,423 41,897 ------------- ------------ Total assets 1,686,597 1,564,412 ======= ====== FBD HOLDINGS PLC GROUP BALANCE SHEET - LIABILITIES AT 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2006 2005 €000s €000s Equity Share capital 21,277 23,557 Capital reserves 12,605 9,813 Revaluation reserves 27,540 47,706 Translation reserves 162 435 Retained earnings 435,935 394,616 ------------ ------------ Shareholders' funds - equity interests 497,519 476,127 Preference share capital 2,923 2,923 ------------ ------------ Total shareholders' funds 500,442 479,050 Minority interests 6,476 6,423 ------------ ------------ Total equity 506,918 485,473 ------------ ------------ Liabilities Technical provisions Provision for unearned premiums 197,507 188,953 Claims outstanding 734,439 699,397 ------------ ------------ 931,946 888,350 ------------ ------------ Bank and other loans 112,350 99,831 ------------ ------------ Creditors 90,841 51,434 ------------ ------------ Current tax 7,728 3,395 ------------ ------------ Deferred tax 33,227 33,873 ------------ ------------ Retirement benefit obligation 3,587 2,056 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 1,686,597 1,564,412 ====== ====== FBD HOLDINGS PLC GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2006 2005 €000s €000s Operating activities Profit before tax for the year 296,780 185,155 Adjustments for: Gains on investments held for trading and held to maturity (30,128) (41,031) Depreciation of property and equipment 3,525 3,487 Share-based payment expense 512 774 Increase in fair value of investment property (4,200) - Increase in technical provisions 37,077 44,696 Profit on sale of land at La Cala (81,774) - --------- --------- Operating cash flows before movement in working capital 221,792 193,081 Increase in receivables (26,261) (4,274) Increase (decrease) in payables 29,326 (26,665) --------- --------- Cash generated from operations 224,857 162,142 Income taxes paid (44,348) (20,516) --------- --------- Net cash from operating activities 180,509 141,626 --------- --------- Investing activities Investments held for trading (51,495) (96,510) Investments held to maturity (157,976) - Investments available for sale 13,456 (5,162) Sale (purchase) of land, buildings and 69,469 (13,430) inventory Purchase of fixtures and fittings (7,038) (6,242) Purchase of investment property (28,125) (24,656) Loans and advances 43,504 (3,789) Deposits invested with financial institutions 115,069 95,378 --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities (3,136) (54,411) --------- --------- Financing activities Dividends paid (77,672) (18,158) Repurchase of ordinary shares (129,213) (81,238) Proceeds of re-issue of ordinary shares 5,432 1,409 Increase in bank loans 19,879 1,243 --------- --------- Net cash used in financing activities (181,574) (96,744) --------- --------- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (4,201) (9,529) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 41,897 51,362 the year Effect of foreign exchange rate changes (273) 64 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 37,423 41,897 year ======== ======== FBD HOLDINGS PLC GROUP STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2006 2005 €000s €000s Income recognised directly in equity Gain on available for sale investments 806 18,033 Revaluation of owner occupied property 8,476 - Actuarial loss (3,869) (3,802) Taxation on income/expense recognised directly to equity (2,400) (2,254) --------- --------- Net income recognised directly in equity 3,013 11,977 --------- --------- Transfers Transfers to income statement on sale of available for sale investments (30,913) (6,384) Transfer to income statement on sale of land and buildings - (1,071) Taxation on transfers to income statement 3,865 801 --------- --------- (27,048) (6,654) --------- --------- Profit after taxation 246,832 161,454 --------- --------- Total recognised income and expense 222,797 166,777 ======== ======== Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent 222,744 166,823 Minority interest 53 (46) --------- --------- 222,797 166,777 ========= ======== FBD HOLDINGS PLC GROUP RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 2005 Revaluation Attributable Preference Share Capital and other Translation Retained to ordinary share Minority capital reserves reserves reserve earnings shareholders capital interests Total €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s Balance at 1st January 2005. 25,151 7,445 38,581 371 334,905 406,453 2,923 16,333 425,709 Profit after taxation - - - - 161,500 161,500 - (46) 161,454 Exchange translation adjustment - - - 64 64 - - 64 Dividends paid - - - - (18,158) (18,158) - - (18,158) Buyback of own shares - - - - (81,238) (81,238) - - (81,238) Cancellation of own shares (1,594) 1,594 - - - - - - - Reissue of ordinary shares - - - - 1,409 1,409 - - 1,409 Recognition of share based payments - 774 - - - 774 - - 774 Transfer to income statement on sale of available for sale - - (5,583) - - (5,583) - - (5,583) investments Gain on available for sale - - 15,779 - - 15,779 - - 15,779 investments Purchase of minority interest - - - - - - - (9,864) (9,864) Actuarial loss on pension fund valuation - - - - (3,802) (3,802) - - (3,802) Sale of land and buildings - - (1,071) - - (1,071) - - (1,071) ---------- ---------- -------- ------- -------- ------- ------ ----- ------ Balance at 31 December 2005 23,557 9,813 47,706 435 394,616 476,127 2,923 6,423 485,473 2006 Profit after taxation - - - - 246,641 246,641 - 191 246,832 Exchange translation adjustment - - - (273) - (273) - - (273) Dividends - - - - (77,672) (77,672) - - (77,672) paid Buyback of own shares - - - - (129,213) (129,213) - - (129,213) Cancellation of own shares (2,280) 2,280 - - - - - - - Reissue of ordinary shares - - - - 5,432 5,432 - - 5,432 Recognition of share based - 512 - - - 512 - - 512 payments Transfer to income statement onsale of available for sale investments - - (27,048) - - (27,048) - - (27,048) Gain on available for sale investments - - 706 - - 706 - - 706 Actuarial loss on pension - - - - (3,869) (3,869) - - (3,869) fund valuation Revaluation of owner occupied property - - 6,176 - - 6,176 - (138) 6,038 ------- ------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ------- -------- ------ Balance at 31 December 2006 21,277 12,605 27,540 162 435,935 497,519 2,923 6,476 506,918 ===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ===== ===== ===== ===== FBD HOLDINGS PLC SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 Note 1 - Operating profit by activity 2006 2005 €000s €000s Underwriting 124,598 134,885 Non underwriting 33,917 27,739 -------- -------- 158,515 162,624 ======== ======== Note 2 - Underwriting result 2006 2005 €000s €000s Gross written premiums 407,256 389,472 ======== ======== Net earned premiums 345,959 332,371 Net claims incurred (224,712) (202,475) Net operating expenses (44,705) (39,446) -------- -------- Underwriting result 76,542 90,450 ======== ======== % % Ratios: Net loss ratio 65.0 60.9 Net expense ratio 12.9 11.9 Combined ratio 77.9 72.8 Note 3 Profit on sale of land at La Cala On 23rd February 2006, Ranchos Reunidos S.A., a 100% subsidiary of the Group, entered into a conditional agreement to sell a major portion of the building development land which it owned at La Cala Resort, Mijas, Costa del Sol, Spain, for a total consideration of €201,000,000. The consideration was constituted in two parts, apportioned between two tranches of land. On 22nd June 2006, the initial consideration payment of €100,000,000 arising on the Tranche I land was received. The remainder of the Tranche I consideration, amounting to €21,000,000 is due to be received on 30th June 2007. The Group has recognised a profit of €81,774,000 on the sale Tranche I development land in the year to 31st December 2006. The consideration, amounting to €80,000,000, for the Tranche II land, becomes payable at a later date, contingent on receipt of final planning approval from the Spanish Regional Planning Authority. FBD HOLDINGS PLC SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (continued) FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2006 Note 4 - Dividends 2006 2005 €000s €000s Paid in Period 2006 Interim dividend of 24.00c (2005: 20.00c) per share on ordinary shares of 60c each 8,247 7,578 2005 Final dividend of 37.50c (2005: 27.28c) per share on ordinary shares of 60c each 14,277 10,298 Dividend of nil (2005: 8.4c) per share on 14% non-cumulative preference shares of 60c each - 113 Dividend of 4.8c (2005: 4.8c) per share on 8% non-cumulative preference shares of 60c each 169 169 Special dividend of 160.00c (2005: nil) per share on ordinary shares 54,978 - --------- -------- 77,672 18,158 ========= ======== Proposed: Dividend of 8.4c (2005: nil) per share on 14% non-cumulative preference shares of 60c each 113 - Dividend of 4.8c per (2005: 4.8c) per share on 8% non-cumulative preference shares of 60c each 169 169 2006 Final dividend of 45.00c (2005 37.50c) per share on ordinary shares of 60c each 15,714 14,277 ---------- ---------- 15,996 14,446 ========== ========= Note 5 - Share capital 2006 2005 Number €000s €000s Authorised At beginning of year: Ordinary shares of 60c each 51,326,000 30,796 30,796 ---------- --------- ---------- Issued and fully paid: At beginning of year 39,261,206 23,557 25,151 Cancellation of shares (3,800,000) (2,280) (1,594) ---------- ---------- ---------- At end of year 35,461,206 21,277 23,557 ========== =========== ========= The total number of shares held as treasury shares at 31st December 2006 was 541,775. 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